Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral, a medieval jewel of Dublin

The Dublin audio-guided tour stops you before Christ Church Cathedral, an emblematic figure of the city's medieval heritage, approached with quiet respect. It has stood at the heart of Dublin for nearly a thousand years.

From the Vikings to the Normans

A first wooden building was raised in 1038 by Sitric Silkenbeard, king of the Viking colony of Dublin. After the Norman invasion, the cathedral was rebuilt in stone, in a Romanesque then Gothic style. Over the centuries, it underwent many restorations, including a major one in the nineteenth century, which gave it much of its present appearance.

What there is to see

With respect for silence, you admire the Gothic nave, the Romanesque arches and the vast medieval crypt, one of the largest in Ireland and the United Kingdom. The cathedral is linked to the Dublinia museum by an arch. It is a high spiritual and historic place, a witness to the Viking and medieval origins of Dublin.

Practical information

Christ Church Cathedral is on Christchurch Place, in the heart of the old town of Dublin. An active place of worship, it can be visited with respect for silence and services; tourist admission is charged and opening times may vary with celebrations.

Who founded Christ Church Cathedral?

A first wooden building was raised in 1038 by Sitric Silkenbeard, Viking king of Dublin. The cathedral was then rebuilt in stone after the Norman invasion.

What makes the cathedral remarkable?

Its vast medieval crypt, one of the largest in Ireland, and its architecture blending Romanesque and Gothic make it a jewel of Dublin's medieval heritage.