O'DONOGHUE, Sylvester (1838-1903) of Antigonish, N.S. is described variously as a builder, contractor, master mason, and as an architect. Born in Coolrus, Co. Wicklow, Ireland he emigrated to Nova Scotia c. 1865 and was first noted in 1868 as the 'experienced builder' who was responsible for constructing St. Ninian's Roman Catholic Cathedral, following the plans of Adolphe Levesque. He may have been related to 'Jeremiah O'Donohoe, Architect' active in Antigonish c. 1871 (McAlpine's Maritime Provinces Directory for 1870-71, 438). In 1883 he was described as 'one of the first architects and builders in the province, having designed and constructed the Antigonish Cathedral as well as a number of other church structures in Nova Scotia and Cape Breton' (The Aurora [Antigonish], 16 Aug. 1883, 2). He died in Antigonish on 25 March 1903 (obituary in the The Casket [Antigonish], 26 March 1903, 8).
ANTIGONISH, N.S., St. Ninian's Roman Catholic Cathedral, 1865-72 (Morning Herald [Halifax], 4 Sept. 1884, 1, historical article, with detailed architectural descrip.)
ARISAIG, N.S., St. Margaret's Roman Catholic Church, 1878 (The Casket [Antigonish], 4 July 1878, 2)
MABOU, N.S., St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 1896 (The Casket [Antigonish], 19 March 1896, 3; 4 Feb. 1897, 5)
PICTOU COUNTY, N.S., Indian Chapel, 1897 (dwgs. in Dept. of Indian & Northern Affairs, RG 10, Vol. 6608, File 4051 - 7RC)
BRIDGEPORT, N.S., Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, 1898 (The Casket [Antigonish], 17 Feb. 1898, 8)