St Patrick's Cathedral

St Patrick’s Cathedral is Ireland’s largest church and was founded near the well where the patron saint of Ireland baptized the converted around the year 450.

History

St Patrick’s Cathedral was built on the site that once housed a small fifth century wooden temple. In 1191, it was replaced by a stone place of worship made by the Anglo-Normans. The building was reformed and enlarged during the thirteenth century.

Part of the church was destroyed in a fire in 1370, including the nave and tower, and were both rebuilt. In 1749, the architect George Semple added the spire.

After years of rejection, desecration and fires, St Patrick’s Cathedral was restored in 1860 thanks to a large donation by Sir Benjamin Guinness.

Discovering St. Patrick’s

This Anglican church has a remarkable interior that reflects various historic periods. One of the most important is “The Door of Reconciliation”. During the fifteenth century, two Irish families, the Butlers of Ormonde and the FitzGeralds of Kildare fought outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Butlers of Ormonde took refuge in the temple. A hole was made in the door for the two families to make peace.  

The temple also houses numerous busts, sepulchral monuments, mortuary plaques that commemorate some of Ireland’s most famous citizens like Douglas Hyde, Turlough O’Carolan and Jonathan Swift.

Another highlight is the striking medieval baptismal font, which is preserved perfectly.

Not to be missed

St Patrick’s Cathedral is the country’s biggest and one of the most important temples, along with Christ Church Cathedral.

Although it has been restored in numerous occasions, some remains of the twelfth-century church are still visible.