Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral is the oldest of Dublin's two medieval cathedrals, founded around 1030 and rebuilt in stone by the Normans, with its dramatic stonework, soaring nave, and famously atmospheric crypt, the largest medieval crypt in Britain or Ireland. The crypt is the highlight: a vast, dimly-lit undercroft holding centuries of curiosities, including 'the Cat and the Rat,' a mummified cat and rat found trapped in an organ pipe (immortalised in a James Joyce reference). A covered bridge links the cathedral to Dublinia, an engaging interactive museum of Viking and medieval Dublin.

It's a working cathedral with a long history (Strongbow, the Norman conqueror of Dublin, is reputedly buried here), and a rewarding stop in the heart of medieval Dublin, close to Dublin Castle and Temple Bar.

Don't miss

• The vast medieval crypt, largest in Britain or Ireland
• 'The Cat and the Rat' mummified in an organ pipe
• The Norman and Gothic architecture and nave
• The covered bridge to Dublinia's Viking museum
• Strongbow's reputed tomb

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Christ Church Cathedral

Cheapest way inSaint Patrick's Cathedral Dublin Entry Ticket4.7★ · 788 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$13 per personSee dates →Most bookedDublin Highlights and Hidden Gems Guided Walking Tour4.9★ · 6,882 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$28 per personSee dates →Top ratedHaunted Dublin Walking Tour4.9★ · 896 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$28 per personSee dates →

Good for

How travelers rate it

Know before you go

• The crypt is the highlight, don't miss the mummified 'Cat and the Rat.'
• A combined ticket with Dublinia (linked by a covered bridge) is good value for the Viking-history museum.
• It's an active cathedral, access is reduced during services.
• Combine with Dublin Castle and Temple Bar, both close by.

A bit of history

Founded around 1030 by the Hiberno-Norse king Sitric and rebuilt in stone after the Norman invasion of 1170 (associated with Strongbow), Christ Church became the spiritual heart of medieval Dublin. Heavily restored in the Victorian era, it remains a working Church of Ireland cathedral.