Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin is a timeless place of worship and one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Founded originally as a Viking church in the 11th century, it has a rich history spanning nearly a thousand years. This travel guide is designed to help you navigate and appreciate the beauty and significance of Christ Church Cathedral.

History

Christ Church Cathedral was originally a Viking church built in the 11th century. It wasn’t until the 12th century that it was incorporated into the Irish church. During this time, Archbishop Laurence O’Toole was appointed to reform the church, and he is now known as the patron saint of Dublin. The cathedral has undergone significant reconstruction over the centuries, including major work in the 1500s and 1870s. Today, visitors can see a mix of medieval and Victorian architecture, with parts dating back to the 13th century.

How to Get There

Christ Church Cathedral is located at Christ Church Place, Dublin 8. It is easily accessible by foot, bus, or bike:

By Foot: The cathedral is a 10-minute walk from Trinity College Dublin and 5 minutes from Temple Bar. –

By Bus: Many Dublin Bus routes pass by the cathedral. Check Dublin Bus for more details.

By Bicycle: There are numerous bike lanes around the city center, and a bike stand is available at Christ Church Place.

Attractions

1. The Crypt: – The medieval crypt is the largest in Ireland and dates back to the early 12th century. It houses fascinating memorials, the Treasury, and an audio-visual presentation. – Don’t miss the mummified ‘Cat and Rat,’ a quirky and popular attraction mentioned in James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake.

2. The Belfry: – Climb the 86 steps to the Belfry for a spectacular view of Dublin City and learn about the culture of the bell ringers. You might even get an opportunity to ring the bells!

3. The Treasury: – New information posts reinterpret Christ Church Cathedral’s collection of rare books and silver for a new audience.

4. Audio Guide: – The new audio guide uses storytelling to bring the cathedral’s nearly 1,000-year history to life in five languages: English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian. Irish Sign Language and Audio Descriptive tours are also available.

5. Listening Bench: – The Listening Bench in the crypt offers a selection of ‘Christ Church Stories’ about the life of the cathedral today and some of the people who are part of it. These stories are recounted in the storytellers’ own voices and showcase the vibrancy of modern-day Christ Church.

6. Bronze Sculpture: – A tactile and access-friendly bronze sculpture of the medieval cathedral c.1370 is situated on the grounds. It shows the cloisters and cathedral buildings as they would have been in the medieval period, allowing visitors to compare old and new in a single glance.

Ticket Information

Visitors can choose between a self-guided tour with an audio guide or visitor leaflet or join one of the guided tours. Guided tours take place regularly throughout the day and are only available in English. Self-guided tours include admission to the crypt and the ‘Treasures of Christ Church’ exhibition. Information leaflets are available in a range of languages. You can guarantee your admission for your preferred timeslot by booking online with Christ Church Cathedral. By purchasing a ticket, you are contributing towards the maintenance of Christ Church Cathedral and helping preserve it for future generations.

Tips for Visiting

1. Accessibility: Christ Church Cathedral offers various accessibility features, including a wheelchair-accessible sound installation and a tactile bronze sculpture. For more information on accessibility, please see here.

2. Events: Keep an eye on the cathedral’s calendar for lunchtime lectures, talks, film nights, and other interesting events.

3. Audio Guide Themes: Choose from three different themes as you explore: ‘Power and Politics’, ‘Christ Church & the City’, and ‘Music & Spirituality’.

4. Induction Hand-Piece: The Listening Bench is wheelchair accessible, and you can listen to the interviews with your hearing aid via the induction hand-piece.

5. Historical Queries: If you have any historical queries, please contact our Research Advisor Stuart Kinsella at ei.hcruhctsirhc@sevihcra.

6. Stolen Heart: Be sure to listen to a clip from the new audio guide about the bizarre story of the stolen heart associated with St Laurence O’Toole. By following these tips and exploring the various attractions, you’ll have a rich and memorable experience at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin.