Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral stands in Dublin’s medieval centre, on the site of an early wooden church founded in the 11th century. Its present stone building took shape under Norman rule and was extensively restored in the 19th century. Inside, look up at the vaulted nave and its Gothic arches, then descend to the long medieval crypt to see historic objects and exhibitions, including a copy of the Magna Carta and the mummified cat and rat. A downloadable audio tour adds context as you explore.

A cathedral shaped by centuries

The site’s Christian history reaches back to the early 11th century, when a wooden church stood here under the rule of the Hiberno-Norse king Sitric Silkenbeard. The present stone cathedral came later. Work began in the 12th century under Norman rule, and construction continued for decades. Christ Church became one of Dublin’s two medieval cathedrals and remains a Church of Ireland place of worship.

The building you see today has been altered and restored over time. A major 19th-century renovation changed much of its appearance, so its exterior reflects that restoration as well as its medieval origins. Inside, Romanesque and Gothic elements sit within the same structure. The large nave’s early Gothic arches draw the eye upward, while carved details and stained glass reward a closer look.

The nave, tomb and connecting bridge

In the Great Nave, look for the replica of the tomb of Strongbow, the Norman noble associated with the cathedral’s construction. He is buried elsewhere in the building. A fragment beside the replica is said to come from the original tomb and is known as “Strongbow’s son.”

Outside, the bridge linking the cathedral to the old Synod Hall is one of the building’s distinctive details. The former hall now houses Dublinia, a Viking and medieval history exhibition. The bridge also makes a striking feature to notice from the grounds, where you can take in the cathedral’s exterior before going inside.