Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin

Christ Church Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in medieval Dublin, with stone walls and Gothic arches rising above the old city center. Inside, tall naves with pointed arches open toward the altar, while below ground a large crypt runs beneath the entire floor plan, containing several chambers and original masonry.

Viking king Sitric Silkenbeard founded the first church on this site around 1030, marking the earliest Christian building in Dublin. During the late 12th century, Norman builders replaced the wooden structure with stone brought from Somerset, reshaping the building into the form that stands today.

The cathedral choir performs regularly during services, giving visitors a chance to hear sacred music in a space designed for resonance and ceremony. This musical tradition continues through daily worship, allowing travelers to experience how sound fills the interior during religious gatherings.

Visitors enter through the west facade and can descend into the crypt using a separate staircase near the main nave. Guided tours in several languages help explain the layout of the upper church and the underground chambers.

The crypt displays a mummified cat and rat found trapped inside organ pipes during renovation work, now known locally as Tom and Jerry. These remains sit among old gravestones and church artifacts, offering an unexpected glimpse into the building's hidden corners.

Location: Dublin

Inception: 1031

Architectural style: Gothic architecture

Email: welcome@cccdub.ie

Website: https://christchurchcathedral.ie

GPS coordinates: 53.34306,-6.27139

Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:34