His father was an architect in the Gothic Revival style, and after his early death in 1852 Edward continued his practice.

[1] From c.1856 he developed a style independent of his father's, in which expansive spatial planning was combined with great detail.

As his business grew, Pugin formed partnerships which turned out to be short-lived: with James Murray in Liverpool (1857 to 1860), with George Ashlin in Dublin (1860 to 1869), and with Joseph Hansom (1862 to 1863).

It has the tallest spire in Dublin (231 ft), and occupies a prominent position on high ground overlooking the Liffey Valley.

Statues of the apostles in the niches of the spire are by James Pearse, father of Padraig and Willie, who were executed after the 1916 Easter Rising.