Saint Patrick's Cathedral

Built in honour of Ireland’s patron saint, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral stands adjacent to the famous well where tradition has it Saint Patrick baptised converts on his visit to Dublin. The parish church of Saint Patrick on this site was granted collegiate status in 1191 and raised to cathedral status in 1224. The present building dates from 1220. The Cathedral is today the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland, hosting sung services twice daily Sunday through Friday, and also serves as a popular visitor attraction. On view are a selection of artefacts relating to Jonathan Swift, Dean of the Cathedral from 1713 to 1745 and author of Gulliver’s Travels. The Cathedral also features a new Discovery Space with iPads playing samples of the choir and touch-screen technology illuminating the Cathedral’s long history. Perhaps more than any other building in Ireland, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral embodies the history and heritage of all Irish people of all backgrounds from the earliest times to the present day.