Over my travels and education, I have come to find that cathedrals and churches play a great role in Europe’s architectural, art, cultural, and political history. St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin is no exception to that rule. For over 800 years this church has been the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland, and today still serves as a place of worship, as well as hosting many cultural events.
The cathedral was constructed between 1220 and 1260 in the Gothic style, which was prominent throughout Europe during that time. It is one of the last few buildings that remain from the medieval city of Dublin, which is a very common occurrence when it comes to cathedrals and churches. Places of worship have been one of the last remainders of grand architecture over the centuries, since they have always been maintained for public use.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is named in honor of Ireland’s patron saint, Saint Patrick, who baptized Christian converts on this site about 1500 years ago. It is the largest and most important pilgrimage cathedrals of Ireland.
The interior of the St. Patrick’s Cathedral is stunning with its traditional Gothic features of pointed arches, colorful stained glass, and ribbed vaulted ceilings. As with cathedrals of its time, many notables were buried within the church. There are around 700 burials under the cathedral’s floor, as well in the graveyard outside. One famous notable buried inside the church is Author Jonathan Swift, Dean of St. Patrick’s, who penned several novels including, Gulliver’s Travels.
Memorials inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Inside St. Patrick’s is one of the largest organs in Ireland with over 4,000 pipes. There are parts of the organ from a Renatus Harris (Master Organ Maker) instrument of 1695. It was rebuilt 200 years later in the 1890s, and then restored in the 1960s.
Today, St Patrick’s Cathedral is one of Dublin’s most popular tourist attraction, as well as an active parish. The cathedral is a glorious example of Gothic architecture, and filled with historical and classical treasures. It is well worth the visit, while touring Dublin.
There are many great events that happen within the church from choir to orchestra concerts. For more event and tourist information, please visit their website- St. Patrick’s Cathedral of Dublin
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Photo Gallery
Cathedral floor tile
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Trixie Navarre 
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