St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin
St Patrick's Cathedral is the largest church in Ireland, built on a site tradition holds was where St Patrick himself baptised converts in the 5th century, with the current Gothic structure dating mainly from the 13th century. It's most closely associated with Jonathan Swift, the author of "Gulliver's Travels," who served as Dean here from 1713 to 1745 — his grave, along with that of his companion Esther Johnson ("Stella"), lies inside, and a small exhibit covers his life and satirical legacy.
The cathedral's interior is filled with memorials, military flags, and elaborate tombs spanning centuries of Anglo-Irish history, and its choir has a long musical tradition, with choral services still a regular feature. The building sits in a pleasant park (St Patrick's Park) that makes a nice spot to sit afterward, and it's an easy walk from Christ Church Cathedral, allowing both of Dublin's major cathedrals to be visited in one outing despite their slightly awkward distance from the main tourist core.
St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin FAQs
Yes, there's generally an admission charge for sightseeing visits outside of service times, though attending a service is free.
Swift's grave is inside the cathedral, near that of his close companion Esther Johnson, and a small exhibit nearby covers his time as Dean and his literary legacy.
Yes, the cathedral has a long choral tradition and holds regular services, including choral evensong, which visitors are welcome to attend.
St Patrick's is the larger of Dublin's two main cathedrals and is most associated with Jonathan Swift, while Christ Church is older in origin and closer to Dublin Castle; both are easily visited in one day.
Yes, St Patrick's Park beside the cathedral is a pleasant, quiet green space with literary-themed features, good for a short rest after the visit.
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