Prof Anne Byrne (centre) with Ruth Illingworth and Dr Eugene Dunne at the Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society lecture last week.

Cathedral Mosaics Lecture

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Prof Anne Byrne (centre) with Ruth Illingworth and Dr Eugene Dunne at the Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society lecture last week.

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Donna Reid with Prof Byrne.

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Frank Hynes, Prof Byrne, Michael Bennett and Jim Prendergast.

Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society
Cathedral of Christ the King
Boris Anrep

Published: Fri 7 Mar 2025, 5:02 PM

Last updated: Fri 7 Mar 2025, 5:11 PM

A large attendance in the Greville enjoyed an informative and beautifully illustrated lecture on the mosaics at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, by Prof Anne Byrne, facilitated by the local history society on Wednesday 26 February.

Prof Byrne has carried out extensive research in the Cathedral Museum and various repositories in London on the world famous artist and poet Boris Anrep.

The key role played by Bishop, later Cardinal, Dalton was explored. Cardinal Dalton was described as a classicist who had a deep interest in the mosaics project through his episcopacy and liaised regularly with Anrep during the commissioning and execution of the famous work.

His successor Bishop Kyne also contributed particularly for the St Anne side chapel mosaics. Mullingar is unique in having the only work of this artist in Ireland.

Anrep’s work can be viewed in cathedrals and other public buildings throughout Europe but the culmination of his work can best be appreciated in the St Patrick and St Anne side chapels in the Cathedral of Christ the King in Mullingar.