In the center of Ireland’s capital city sits one of the country’s most famous churches – Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. It is both a vibrant church where families come to worship every Sunday and a historic site loved by tourists.
St. Patrick’s is many things to many people, not unlike the man for whom it is named. On Sunday mornings, the choral eucharist is held and weekday afternoons feature evensong. Friday and Saturday night, it’s a lively venue for candlelight tribute concerts featuring musicians as diverse as Taylor Swift, Pink Floyd, U2, Queen and Celine Dion. You can also catch performances of classical music such as the works of Bach and Vivaldi there. The cathedral even offers guided tours to educate visitors about its compelling history, and of course there is a little shop with souvenirs and various Irish gifts.
10k Gold Malachite Shamrock Pendant
History of St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Ireland’s largest cathedral stands on a site with a well that Patrick used to baptize the new faithful when he was in Dublin in the fifth century. The well was rediscovered in 1901 during building works.
Records indicate that a church stood in the spot as early as 890, but that was a wooden structure. The majestic structure standing there now was built after an archbishop designated the site for a cathedral in 1190. Although we lack documentation of it, it is widely believed that the archbishop chose the site because of its association with Patrick.
Copper Shamrock Wall Plaque
Construction began in 1220. Over the next several hundred years, the structure evolved as various additions and repairs brought it to its current form. It was briefly demoted to parish church status during the reign of Edward VI, and at different times it housed a courtroom and a university. Its lowest point was when Oliver Cromwell used it as a stable for his troop’s horses. The church’s famous choir began in 1432, making it the oldest in Ireland. The spire was built in 1700, making it a more visible landmark. The building was rescued from disrepair in 1864 when the Guinness family (yes, that Guinness family!) funded extensive repairs.
Dean Jonathan Swift
St Patrick isn’t the only famous icon of Ireland linked to this church. Jonathan Swift, the famous writer and thinker, was dean of Saint Patrick’s from 1713 until 1745. Gulliver’s Travels, his most enduring work, was published in 1726, and his satirical pamphlet A Modest Proposal was published in 1729. His work was published under pseudonyms, although the authorship of some of his works was an open secret during his lifetime. Swift is buried at the cathedral.
An in-person visit to this magnificent church is an unforgettable step into medieval Ireland, but you can also join the Church of Ireland (Anglican) services via livestream. The link is on their website.
Belleek Vase – 7.7″ Castle
When you don your green for Saint Patrick’s Day and shop for Irish gifts featuring our patron saint, it’s easy to forget that this day is in honor of an actual man. But if you do ever visit Ireland’s largest cathedral, look for a stone slab marked with a cross. That’s where Patrick baptized the new faithful.