Architectural Photography of St. Patricks Cathedral

Up on the Roof

Somewhere around step 120, with my camera gear pulling at my shoulder and the stone walls closing in around the narrow staircase, I started to wonder whether “177 steps” had been an understatement. But then the stairs opened out, and suddenly I was standing high above St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Eye-level with the spires, close enough to see the chisel marks that have survived centuries.

I was there to document the restoration of this incredible building for Clancy Construction. A project that turned out to be the largest conservation undertaking in the state’s history. From the rooftops to the scaffold platforms, every corner held a story—of craftsmanship, of history, of the people determined to protect it.

Clancy Construction led the conservation works, guided by the expert oversight of Linzi Simpson Archaeology and B2 Conservation Architects. Watching their teams bring such care and precision to every stone made those 177 steps feel more than worth it.

This restoration will help ensure that St. Patrick’s Cathedral stands strong for generations to come. I’m grateful I got to witness it from the very top.