I love exploring churches when we travel & Dublin was no exception. Their stunning churches, including one named after the patron saint of Ireland, were worth a few Euros admission.
Christ Church Cathedral
The cathedral for the Church of Ireland (although some Catholics may argue that it’s still their Dublin cathedral), this stunning urban cathedral has been in the same spot since 1030. The cathedral has changed a lot since then & looks much more Victorian, following extensive renovations in the 1870s which were funded by a Dublin whiskey distiller. The crypt is definitely worth a visit – it’s very creepy! Also make sure & keep an eye out for the cat & rat: their mummified remains are in the crypt behind glass. Church legend says that the cat chased the rat into an organ pipe & both became stuck. They’re so famous that James Joyce even referenced them in Finnegan’s Wake: “…As stuck as that cat to that mouse in that tube of that Christchurch organ…”
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
The second of Dublin’s Church of Ireland cathedral’s, St. Patrick’s Cathedral lies on the south side of the city. The cathedral is perhaps most famous because it’s the final resting place of Irish writer, satirist & former dean of the church, Jonathan Swift. Much to B’s disappointment, St. Patrick is not buried here. One of my favorite features of the church was the floor, which looked like a giant quilt. Next door to the cathedral is a beautiful park.
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
Know if you go…
– there are admission charges to enter both churches: €6 each. If you’re there to attend a service, there’s no charge.
– leave plenty of time to explore both churches, including their crypts. St. Patrick’s even has free wifi!
– both cathedrals are located on the west side of town. Christ Church is fairly close to the River Liffey & St. Patrick’s within walking distance of the Guinness Storehouse.
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