Porch

The most impressive of all the churches built in Ulster in the early 17th century is St Columb’s Cathedral in Londonderry - the first Protestant Cathedral built in Britain or Ireland following the Reformation – and a fine example of “Planters Gothic” architecture.

The dark entrance porch contains the staircase to the bell tower and a number of interesting artefacts and memorials, including two to Colonel Henry Baker and Captain Michael Browning of the Mountjoy, the ship which relieved the besieged city.

The cathedral is named after St Columb, aka Columba (the little dove) AD 521 – 597 - the patron saint of Londonderry.  He is credited with spreading Christianity in Scotland where he founded an abbey on Iona in 563 AD.