Christ Church Cathedral
Dublin City
Christ Church Cathedral
Dublin City
Situated in the heart of the city, Christ Church Cathedral is Dublin’s oldest working structure, and has welcomed pilgrims and visitors for almost 1,000 years.
The Nave is magnificent in its beauty. It contains the tomb of Richard de Clare (Strongbow), a medieval Norman-Welsh peer and warlord, notable for his leading role in the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland. It also includes the heart of Saint Laurence O’Toole (1128 –1180), who is Dublin’s patron saint, and was Archbishop of Dublin at the time of the Norman invasion of Ireland.
The restored 12th-century crypt, one of the largest in Ireland or the UK, now houses the important Treasures of Christ Church exhibition. The exhibition features manuscripts and artefacts that give the visitor some impression of nearly one thousand years of worship in the cathedral and nearby churches.
Outstanding among the rare church silver is the stunning royal plate given by King William III in 1697 as a thanksgiving for his victory at the battle of the Boyne. The Treasury also plays host to a rare 14th Century copy of the Magna Carta Hiberniae.
Highlights
- Christ Church Cathedral is Dublin’s oldest working structure.
- The restored 12th-century crypt is one of the largest in Ireland or the UK.
- A mummified cat and rat are the most unusual inhabitants of the crypt, but also the most popular. The cat is reputed to have chased the rat into a pipe of an organ and both became stuck.
- The cathedral’s deployment of 19 bells, ranging in weight from a quarter of a ton to two and a quarter tons, represents a world record of numbers of bells available for full-circle ringing.
- Music has always formed a very important part of cathedral life and the Cathedral Choir traces its origins to 1493 with the founding of the choir school. The cathedral choir has always been highly regarded in Dublin’s musical life and took part in the first performance of Handel’s Messiah in Dublin in 1742.
Open
Opening Times
July & August 2020
Monday – Wednesday, CLOSED
Thursday – Saturday, 10am-5pm
Sunday, 12:30pm-5pm
Last admission 45 minutes before closing.
Please contact the cathedral office for opening times in September.
“Last Updated 06/08/2020”
Upcoming Events
Throughout the year, Christ Church Cathedral hosts a diverse range of events including concerts and recitals. The famous Christ Church Cathedral Choir also stage special concerts during the year. Their Christmas Carols are not to be missed. You can see the ever-changing events schedule on their website.
Prices
Admission Rates 2020
Self-Guided Tour Admission Rates
Adult €8
Student/Senior €6.50
Child €3.50 Family €20
For July & August 2020, 2 children go free of charge with every one paying adult.
Useful Information
- Gift Shop
- Partly Wheelchair Accessible
- External Viewing Platform
- Weekly Services
Getting There
Christ Church cathedral is located in the heart of Dublin city centre and within walking distance of other major attractions such as Guinness Storehouse, Dublin Castle and Trinity College. Also a 15 minute walk from Heuston Station.
Please visit the cathedral website for further information: https://christchurchcathedral.ie/visit-us/getting-there/
Map Location: 53.343513, -6.271060