President Éamon de Valera lit the sanctuary candle and Cardinal Richard Cushing of Boston delivered a sermon 'Why Build a Cathedral?'.

[6] The architect of the cathedral was John J. Robinson who had previously designed many churches in Dublin and around the country.

Other features, including the rose windows and mosaics, echo the broad tradition of Christian art.

The cathedral dome, at a height of 44.2 metres (145 ft), is a prominent landmark on the city skyline.

The cathedral has been home to an adult choir since the building was dedicated, the role of which is to provide the music at all major ceremonies and services as well as at the regular Sunday 10.30 am Mass.

The cathedral pipe organ was originally built by the Liverpool firm of Rushworth & Dreaper in 1966; it was renovated and greatly expanded by Irish organ-builder Trevor Crowe between 2006 and 2007.