Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral is considered the oldest building in Dublin. The original building dates back from Viking times, sometime shortly after 1028. The church stood on a hill overlooking the settlement and was one of just two churches serving Dublin at that time. It was completely rebuilt in the 1180s by Robert de Clare (aka Strongbow), the Norman conqueror of Dublin.
Over the next few hundred years the cathedral was expanded. It became part of the Anglican church in the sixteenth century, which it remains today. The Vatican still considers Christ Church to be the seat of the Archbishop of Dublin, however. In the late nineteenth century a massive renovation was undertaken. It has remained largely unchanged since.
The cathedral is a fascinating example of Medieval architecture, even though much of the facade dates from the Victorian restoration. The crypt is original, however, and is the oldest in the British Isles. It includes several interesting carvings, stocks once used for punishment, and relics from the original Catholic church. Above ground, there are several excellent stained glass windows and other adornments.
There’s not much to set Christ Church apart from any of Europe’s great cathedrals. It’s also redundant to visit this along with St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Still, there is a lot of history here. Avoid the audio guide, as most of the information can be found elsewhere.
Location: Christchurch Place, Dublin
Telephone: +353 01 677 8991
Hours: Vary throughout the year.
Admission:
€6.00 Adults
€4.00 Seniors
€3.00 Students
€14.00 Family
