St. Patrick’s Cathedral, right in the heart of Dublin, is a place rich in history and Irish heritage.
This cathedral has been standing since the 12th century, and is named after Ireland’s patron saint. According to legend, St. Patrick himself baptized people here using water from a nearby well, marking the start of Ireland’s Christian faith.
The cathedral’s tall spires and stained glass windows hold stories from Ireland’s past. Inside, you can feel the history in the air, from the ancient hymns to the stone walls.
In this guide to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, I’ll give you a mini history, tell you everything to see inside, and provide tips for visiting.
It’s definitely worth visiting when you’re in Dublin! It’s not your ordinary church. It’s steeped in Irish history and full of artifacts and historical knick knacks.
Quick Tips:
- You don’t really need to pre-book a ticket. But, if you’re like me and never want to risk a line, you can book one here.
- You should try to hop on one of the regular guided tours or pick up an audio guide to get the historic backdrop. They are included in the ticket price.
- You can scan a QR code for wifi.
- Check the website for concerts or choir performances.
Mini History Of St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Legend holds that St. Patrick began baptizing the pagan Irish at a well located beside the cathedral.
In thanks, a 13th century archbishop, John Comyn, decided to honor the saint with a cathedral in his name. His successor was the bloke responsible for the actual construction.
The tower is the highest in Ireland at almost 150 feet high. It’s been bashed about by storms. The one you see today is the third iteration.
During the Reformation years, the cathedral went from Catholic to Protestant and back again.
During Oliver Cromwell’s reign of terror, the cathedral fell into disrepair. By the 19th century, it was in ruins (or as the Irish would say, “banjaxed.”)
But in the meanwhile, Benjamin Lee Guinness had become Ireland’s richest man, having convinced everyone to quaff his beers.
He donated 90 million (in today’s dollars) to restore it to its proper beauty. He’s honored with a statue on the grounds near the south porch.
There are plenty of bits and bobs to see inside. But one thing that sets St. Patrick’s part is that one of its deans was Jonathan Swift.
Yes, he was an Irishman from Dublin, not English as many think. He’s famous, among other things, for writing Gulliver’s Travels.
Guide To St. Patrick’s Cathedral: What To See
Here are some things you can’t miss in the cathedral.
Architecture
The cathedral is early English Gothic style. There are the usual large windows, vaulted ceilings, and pointed arches.
The building itself is designed on three levels: arcade, triforum, and clerestory.
The ground plan is in the traditional Latin cross formation. There’s a long nave, broad transepts (arms of the cross), and a chancel (the head of the cross).
Boyle Monument
This is the largest monument in the cathedral.
It was erected by Richard Boyle, the first Earl of Cork in 1632 to honor his wife. It depicts four generation of his wife’s family.
The monument originally stood behind the high altar. When it was moved by Thomas Wentworth, this so angered the Boyle family that they avenged themselves by ruining his career.
Stained Glass
The cathedral’s stained glass is of relatively recent vintage, dating from the 19th century.
The West Window is dedicated to St. Patrick. It tells his life’s story in 39 images, from his kidnapping in Wales through his conversion of Irish pagans to Christianity until his death.
The window was installed during a major restoration during the 1860s. And you can see that it was influenced by medieval French stained glass (like in Sainte-Chapelle.)
The Iveagh Window memorializes Edward Cecil Guiness. The central figure, Charity, is a reference to his good deed and charitable works.
Other window remember soldiers, poet, musicians, kings, and wars.
Jonathan Swift Tomb & Death Mask
Swift was dean of the cathedral from 1713 until he died in 1745. Legend holds that he used to keep fit by running up and down the spiral stairs.
Aside from being a great author, Swift was a tireless worker for the poor and gave away much of his income to charitable causes.
When he died, there was so much demand for keepsake locks of his hair that he was buried bald!
Swift’s grave is marked by a diamond shaped plaque and his epitaph is on the wall above. Nearby are his death mask, a cast of his skull, and a bust of the great man.
Sculptures
In the north aisle of the nave, you’ll find a collection of 19th century statues, which are among the best in Ireland.
The finest sculpture his that of the Marquis of Buckingham, the first Grand Master of the Order of St. Patrick.
The sculpture of Captain Boyd is also very forceful, as he points dramatically downward.
Legend holds that his faithful dog refused to leave his graveside after the funeral and haunts the grounds outside.
North Transept
This area of the church is home to a large variety of material relating to Ireland’s military history.
The Roll of Honor is an illustrated list of the 50,000 Irish men and women who died in WWI.
In 2014, The Tree of Remembrance was installed.
It’s a bleak reminder of the destruction of WWI. Visitors are encouraged to leave messages for loved ones affected by the war.
Another interesting piece is the Door of Reconciliation.
The door relates to an event in 1492 when fighting was raging between the Butler clan and the Fitzgerald clan.
To end their feud and prove his sincerity, the Earl of Kildare, Gearóid Fitzgerald, cut a hole in the door and extended his hand in a gesture of peace.
This act of bravery and reconciliation is where the Irish slang “to chance your arm” is believed to have originated. Today, it means to take a risk.
Chancel
The chancel is the area east of the nave that contains the choir and sanctuary. It’s the ceremonial part of the cathedral.
It was once divided from the rest of the cathedral by a wooden rood screen, but that was removed in the 19th century.
The flags hanging there represent the family coats of arms of the members of the illustrious Order of the Knights of Saint Patrick.
King George III founded the chivalric order in 1783, modeling it after the Order of the Garter in England.
When Ireland freed itself of the English for good, the order ceased to exist.
There’s also an intricately carved pulpit and carved wooden pews.
One pew bears the insignia of the British royal family — a lion and a unicorn. Nowadays, it’s reserved for the President of Ireland.
Lady Chapel
This small, but extensively renovated chapel, is right behind the high altar.
Built in 1270, it was once known as the “French Chapel” after some French Huguenots fled to Ireland to avoid religious persecution.
It’s a pretty space, newly renovated, with elegantly slender columns and beautiful stained glass.
Saint Patrick
Images of the famous saint appear throughout the cathedral, and I’ve described the West Window above.
There are also two sculptures of the saint. His traditional representation as an old man can’t be true! He was a young lad when he became a Christian missionary and didn’t live all that long.
According to legend, Saint Patrick used a well on the site to baptize converts. It was covered by an early Christian grave slab, which was discovered in 1901.
It’s over 1,000 years old and has a Celtic symbol on it. Including the Celtic symbol helped convince people to convert.
Music
The cathedral has a long musical tradition dating back through its entire history.
Each day in the cathedral begins and ends with music and prayer. This takes the form of Matins in the morning and Evensong in the evening.
Both services are sung by the Cathedral choir, who are often accompanied by the organ.
The Cathedral Choir School is the oldest school in Ireland. And it’s the only surviving choir school in the country.
The children attending the school range from 8 to 12 years of age. In fact, there are videos you can watch where they talk about the choir school.
In addition, visiting choirs from all over the world regularly perform recitals.
St. Patrick’s Park
This park is right next to the cathedral and it’s the best place to grab photos of the place or have a picnic.
On the back wall are plaques honoring Ireland’s great writers — Swift, Wilde, Shaw, Yeats, Joyce, Beckett, etc.
Practical Guide & Tips For St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Address: St. Patrick’s Close, Wood Quay, Dublin 8,
Hours:
The opening hours can vary slightly depending on the time of year and special events. But generally, they are:
- Monday to Friday: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am – 10:30 am, 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Tickets: 10 euros, family 28 euros. This may seem a tad high, but it includes a guide tour and audio guide.
Pro Tips:
The cathedral has a rather large and well-stocked gift shop. You can also try your hand at making a brass rubbing or bell ringing.
Is St. Patrick’s Cathedral Worth Visiting?
Absolutely, I think St. Patrick’s Cathedral is definitely worth a visit, even though the ticket price might seem a bit high at first.
This cathedral offers so much more than just a glimpse of stunning architecture. It’s a place where history, culture, and spirituality come together.
When you step inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral, you’re walking into a piece of Irish history that has stood the test of time since the 12th century.
It’s also a celebration of Irish heritage and the figures who have shaped the country, from Jonathan Swift to political figures and military heroes.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. You may find these other Ireland and UK travel guides useful:
- 1 day in Belfast itinerary
- guide to Giant’s Causeway
- guide to the Rock of Cashel
- guide to Blarney Castle
- 3 days in London itinerary
- 5 days in London itinerary
- Best day trips from London
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