Cathedral dedication date

Dean William Morton said: “The Cathedral was never shut so to call it a re-opening is a non-starter. On June 9 we will have a major service.

“We will also be showing our commitment and support for the City of Culture 2013 that day. We have a lot of fairly substantial ideas for that which we would like to see continued for many years into the future, not just with a 12 month emphasis and then disappearing.”

Restoration work on the Cathedral - which was in danger of severe structural damage - began in early 2010 thanks to key funding from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board worth £2 million.

Skilled workmen have had to repoint the stonework throughout the Cathedral.

The 1641 building has also had touches of modernity added including the provision of disabled toilets and a restructuring of car park facilities.