Built in honour of Ireland's patron saint, Saint Patrick's Cathedral stands adjacent to the famous well
where tradition has it Saint Patrick baptized converts on his visit to Dublin.
The parish church of Saint Patrick on this site was granted collegiate status in 1191,
and raised to cathedral status in 1224. The present building dates from 1220.
The Cathedral is today the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland (a church of the Anglican communion).
Location
The Cathedral is located at the junction of Patrick Street and Upper Kevin Street.
It is easily accessible by foot from the centre of the city.
History
Saint Patrick is said to have passed through Dublin on his journey through Ireland.
He is reputed to have baptised converts from paganism to Christianity in a well close to where the Cathedral now stands.
To commemorate his visit a small wooden church was built on the site, one of the four Celtic parish churches in Dublin.
In 1191 John Comyn, the first Anglo-Norman archbishop of Dublin,
raised this ancient church of Saint Patrick in insula to the status of a cathedral.
The present building, the largest church in the country, was erected between 1200 and 1270.
Over the centuries as the elements, religious reformation, and persecution took their toll,
the Cathedral fell into disrepair, despite many attempts to restore it.
Between 1860 and 1900 a full-scale restoration was carried out by the Guinness family.
Saint Patrick's is the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland,
a member church of the Anglican Communion.
Since 1870 the Cathedral Chapter has had representative members from the twelve Irish bishoprics,
and this means that the Cathedral has strong regional links throughout the island of Ireland.
The choral tradition of Anglican worship was established here in the 1530s.
Saint Patrick's is the only remaining cathedral church in Ireland with a daily pattern of sung services.
In addition to these services the Cathedral hosts many national religious commemorations.
The Cathedral attracts some 300,000 visitors each year and its ministry
of welcome is integral to its work as a living Christian community.
Opening Times
March - October
| Monday - Friday | 09.00 - 17.00 |
| Saturday | 09.00 - 18.00 |
| Sunday | 09.00 - 10.30 |
| 12.30 - 14:30 |
| 16.30 - 18.00 |
November to February
November to February
| Monday - Friday | 09.00 - 17.00 |
| Saturday | 09.00 - 17.00 |
| Sunday | 09.00 - 10.30 |
| 12.30 - 14:30 |
Admission Charge for Visitors
| Adult | €5.50 |
| OAP/Student | €4.50 |
| Family (2 adults & 2 children u 16) | €15.00 |
| Group rates (minimum of 10 persons) |
| Adult €4.20 |
| Student €3.70 |
The Cathedral is closed to visitors on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Saint Stephen's Day (26 December).
Please note that during service times visiting is restricted. The Cathedral is principally a place of worship and,
from time to time, special services (e.g. funerals and weddings) will take place.
During these times it may not be possible to visit the Cathedral.
Please check our events section for further information on service times and events.
No photography is permitted whilst services are taking place.
Music
Music has played an integral part in the daily life of Saint Patrick's Cathedral
since its foundation in the thirteenth century.
Henri de Londres (consecrated Archbishop of Dublin in 1213) created a college
of sixteen vicars choral who lived within the precincts of the cathedral.
Archbishop Richard Talbot (Archbishop of Dublin from 1418–49) endowed a college
of six minor canons and six boy choristers in 1431.
His purpose was to ensure the provision of polyphonic choral music in the Cathedral.
The choir remains one of the few choirs of men and boys in Ireland.
The choir was re-organised at the Guinness restoration in 1865 and put on a more secure financial footing.
The combined choirs of Christ Church and Saint Patrick's Cathedrals sang
the first performance of Handel's oratorio Messiah on 13 April 1742.
