St Patrick's Cathedral

About the museum

Saint Patrick's Cathedral is said to stand on the site of a well that Saint Patrick used to baptise converts, and the six Celtic grave slabs found beside it in 1901, dated to the tenth century, show that the site has been in use for at least a thousand years. Archbishop John Comyn raised the church to cathedral status in 1191, and the present building, in the shape of a Gothic cross, was constructed between 1220 and 1259 under Archbishop Luke. Over the following centuries the tower and spire were damaged by storm and fire, and the Lady Chapel was added around 1270.

After the Reformation the cathedral became Anglican; for a time it was used as a court house and even as a university. By the early nineteenth century it was in poor repair, and between 1860 and 1865 the brewer Benjamin Lee Guinness paid for a large restoration that gave the interior much of its present look. The cathedral is the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland and still holds daily services, and its choir school has provided singers for services since 1432.

Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels, was Dean of the cathedral and is buried here. In the north transept visitors can see the Door of Reconciliation, linked to a feud in 1492 that is said to have given rise to the phrase "to chance your arm". A Discovery Space in the cathedral lets children and adults explore its history with touch screens, recordings, brass rubbing and model building.

Highlights

• Largest cathedral in Ireland, with a Gothic nave and choir dating from the thirteenth century
• Burial place of Jonathan Swift, former Dean and author of Gulliver's Travels
• The Door of Reconciliation, linked to the origin of the saying "to chance your arm"
• Free guided tours Monday to Saturday and a multilingual audio guide
• Discovery Space with touch screens, brass rubbing and model building

Permanent exhibitions

• Discovery Space – A hands-on area in the cathedral with an interactive touch screen, recordings to listen to, brass rubbing and cathedral models for visitors to build.
• The Door of Reconciliation – A door with a hole cut into it in 1492 so that two feuding families could shake hands, displayed in the north transept and the origin of the saying "to chance your arm".

Operated by

Saint Patrick's Cathedral

Admission & discounts

Entry is free for anyone attending a service. A companion or carer of a visitor with a disability is admitted free (show a disability card on arrival). Online tickets for fewer than 10 people can be used on any date and time. The Go City Dublin Pass is accepted, and the DoDublin Days Out Card is also sold.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The south-west entrance on St Patrick's Close has a ramp that staff will operate, and larger powered wheelchairs are admitted through another gate. The main entrance has steps but also a lift and an alternative step-free route. There is step-free access to most areas, an accessible toilet with an alarm, a hearing loop, a quiet space in the Lady Chapel and large-print and braille information. A wheelchair can be borrowed depending on availability. A few disabled bays are on the Cathedral Close, managed by Dublin City Council.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Younger children receive an activity booklet and crayons at the welcome desk, and older children can use the Discovery Space with a touch screen, recordings, brass rubbings and cathedral models to build. Family workshops and children's tours are listed in the monthly events programme. Strollers cannot be stored.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check: not available
• Lockers: not available

There is a small gift shop in the cathedral and toilets on site. There is no space to store luggage or buggies, and visitors may be asked to open their bags for a security check.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

The cathedral can be hired for seated dinners, receptions and concerts.

Plan your visit