Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin

Christ Church Cathedral

This massive building on St. Michael’s Hill in the city center is one of only two Protestant cathedrals in Dublin.

Christ Church Cathedral is a functioning Anglican Church and the sound of its 19 enormous bells often resonates over Dublin. With the belfry tower as your guiding point, walk here from Temple Bar and enter the cool stone building to step back into medieval and Victorian times.

Architecture and history lovers will appreciate the changes this church has been through in almost a thousand years. In the 11th century a Danish king built a wooden church on the site. Stone restructuring followed from 1172, starting out in Norman style. The tomb of conqueror “Strongbow” (Richard de Clare) in the south isle of the nave dates from this time (although his body is no longer in the tomb). Gothic styles were added to the mix, but the building’s medieval character was largely lost during a Victorian restoration, when buttresses and a choir screen were added and the tower was rebuilt. These features still remain today.

The cathedral was a major destination for medieval pilgrims drawn to see holy relics, such as the “Speaking Cross,” which is no longer at the cathedral. The 12th-century Chapel of St. Laurence O’Toole had an iron case containing the saint’s embalmed heart, however this was recently stolen. It survived the Reformation, as did the 13th-century floor tiles in this section.

Descend into one of the big medieval crypts to see the mummified cat and rat, nicknamed Tom and Jerry. Across the covered Victorian Bridge of Sighs is the interactive Viking exhibition, Dublinia.

The cathedral is west of Temple Bar on St. Michael’s hill. The Christchurch Place station is the nearest bus stop, or get there by Dublin’s hop-on, hop-off bus tour. There is no on-site parking. There is an entrance fee for both the cathedral and the Dublinia exhibition. The gift shop stocks a wide variety of beautiful gifts and exclusive cathedral products. Hear the Christ Church Cathedral Choir sing evensong, held several times during the week.

Guide to Exploring around Christ Church Cathedral

St Stephen's Green

Take a break in Dublin’s most popular public park with green lawns and flower beds, a stone bridge and statues, a swan-filled lake and a playground.

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Guinness Storehouse

A tour of this pint-shaped hall in a historic brewery provides an intoxicating journey through the making of Ireland’s signature drink.

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Kilmainham Gaol Historical Museum

This infamous and eerie former prison is a fitting place to hear the grisly story of Ireland’s punitive past and the struggle for independence from British rule.

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Trinity College

Walk the cobbled lanes of Ireland’s oldest university, alma mater to literary greats and home of the precious Book of Kells.

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Old Jameson Distillery

The spirited culture of whiskey-making is evident at the birthplace of a world-renowned Irish brand.

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Dublin Castle

Discover medieval excavations from a Viking ruin and appreciate the majesty of the state apartments, the chapel and the landscape gardens.

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Aviva Stadium

Watch a game of rugby or soccer and take a tour of the changing rooms and players’ tunnel to peek behind the curtain.

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National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology

Learn about the many faces of historic Ireland, from Viking influences and Celtic metalwork to prehistoric tools and Bronze Age jewelry.

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Grafton Street

Watch the talented street performers as you search the boutiques in this shopping haven for something special to take home.

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O'Connell Street

Marvel at one of the world’s tallest public works of art as you stroll down this boulevard of shops and historic buildings.

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Grand Canal

Hike along this running stream through Ireland’s pleasant green countryside and stop for cruises, watersports and meals on barges.

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City Guide to Phoenix Park

Phoenix Park is so important to Dublin that it has its own law on the statute books and visitors should be aware that one provision of this is that “no person shall act contrary to public morality in the Park”. So watch your Ps and Qs!

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City Guide to Croke Park

Croke Park in Dublin is so much more than an impressive sports stadium. “Croker”, as it is locally known, is in many ways is a bastion of Irish identity that protects the spirit of Gaelic games from forces seeking to dislodge it. If this all sounds a bit dramatic you should take the fantastic Croke Park Experience tour to get a very real sense of just how important and deeply ingrained the GAA and Gaelic games are to Ireland’s sense of itself.

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Ha' Penny Bridge

Stroll along the oldest pedestrianized bridge in the city and capture photos of the electric cityscape of Dublin at night.

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Glasnevin Cemetery

The graves and tombs of many leading lights in recent Irish history are collected together at Dublin’s Glasnevin Cemetery, one of the city’s most popular attractions.

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National Aquatic Centre

The National Aquatic Centre in Dublin is one of the world’s biggest indoor water complexes and is the third most popular fee-paying attraction in Ireland.

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O'Connell Bridge

Walk beside pedestrians, cyclists and drivers on an 18th-century bridge that has the unusual characteristic of being wider than it is long.

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Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

Get your ticket for a night at Ireland’s largest theater, which was built to attract the world’s biggest shows to the nation’s capital.

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The Convention Centre Dublin

Spot this futuristic crystal building rising high in the dockyards and cycle along the grassy banks of the adjacent canal.

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St. Patrick's Cathedral

Explore this historic Gothic cathedral that stands beside the traditional well where legend says St. Patrick baptized converts.

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James Joyce Statue

Stop to admire a carved bronze figure of one of Ireland’s prominent literary figures whose most famous work features the country’s capital city.

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Daniel O'Connell Statue

Browse a beautiful city center monument to an important Irish political leader of the first half of the 19th century.

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Oscar Wilde Statue

Take a picture of yourself lying next to this quirky statue of one of Ireland’s literary legends, who is depicted reclining on a rock.

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Samuel Beckett Bridge

An iconic city landmark, this striking cable-stayed bridge evokes the image of a harp on its side. Come at night to see it lit up.

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Best Lodging Options Near Christ Church Cathedral

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Jurys Inn Dublin Christchurch CA $83

Per night/room

Dec. 7 - Dec. 8

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Jurys Inn Dublin Christchurch

Christchurch Place, Dublin, Dublin

4.0 out of 5.0 Stars

Located in City Centre Dublin, this eco-friendly hotel is steps away from Dublinia and Christ Church Cathedral. Dublin Castle and Olympia Theatre are also within 5 minutes. Four Courts Station is 7 minutes by foot and Jervis Station is 10 minutes.

Jurys Inn Dublin Parnell Street CA $82

Per night/room

Dec. 7 - Dec. 8

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Jurys Inn Dublin Parnell Street

Moore Street Plaza, Parnell Street, Dublin, Dublin

4.0 out of 5.0 Stars

Located in City Centre Dublin, this eco-friendly hotel is steps away from Rotunda Hospital and O'Connell Street. Parnell Square and O'Connell Bridge are also within 10 minutes. Abbey Street Station is 7 minutes by foot and Jervis Station is 8 minutes.

Marlin Hotel Stephens Green CA $141

Per night/room

Dec. 1 - Dec. 2

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Marlin Hotel Stephens Green

11 Bow Lane East, St Stephen's Green, Dublin

4.0 out of 5.0 Stars

Located in City Centre Dublin, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Gaiety Theatre and Grafton Street. Dublin Castle and Trinity College are also within 10 minutes. St. Stephen's Green Station is only a 3-minute walk and Harcourt Street Station is 11 minutes.

Maldron Hotel Pearse Street CA $170

Per night/room

Dec. 2 - Dec. 3

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Maldron Hotel Pearse Street

98-107 Pearse Street, Dublin, Dublin

4.0 out of 5.0 Stars

Located in City Centre Dublin, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Grand Canal and Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. The Convention Centre Dublin and Trinity College are also within 15 minutes. Dublin Pearse Street Station is 6 minutes by foot and Dublin Grand Canal Dock Station is 10 minutes.

The Clarence CA $140

Per night/room

Dec. 9 - Dec. 10

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The Clarence

6-8 Wellington Quay, Dublin, Dublin

4.0 out of 5.0 Stars

Located in Temple Bar, this hotel is steps away from Dame Street and Olympia Theatre. Dublin Castle and Ha' Penny Bridge are also within 5 minutes. Jervis Station is only a 4-minute walk and Four Courts Station is 8 minutes.

The Westbury Hotel CA $556

Per night/room

Dec. 26 - Dec. 27

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The Westbury Hotel

Grafton Street, Dublin, Dublin

5.0 out of 5.0 Stars

This family-friendly Dublin hotel is located in the shopping district, steps away from Grafton Street, The Sporting Emporium Casino, Dublin and Powerscourt Townhouse. Brown Thomas Flagship Store and Gaiety Theatre are also within 5 minutes. St. Stephen's Green Station is only a 4-minute walk and Abbey Street Station is 12 minutes.

Grand Canal Hotel Dublin CA $112

Per night/room

Dec. 1 - Dec. 2

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Grand Canal Hotel Dublin

Grand Canal Street, Ballsbridge, Dublin, Dublin

4.0 out of 5.0 Stars

Located in Ballsbridge, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Grand Canal and Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Aviva Stadium and Dublin Port are also within 15 minutes. Dublin Grand Canal Dock Station is only a 3-minute walk and Dublin Lansdowne Road Station is 10 minutes.

Harding Hotel CA $155

Per night/room

Dec. 26 - Dec. 27

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Harding Hotel

Copper Alley, Fishamble Street, Christchurch, Dublin, Dublin

3.0 out of 5.0 Stars

Located in Temple Bar, this hotel is steps away from Dublinia, Christ Church Cathedral and Dublin Castle. St. Patrick's Cathedral and Trinity College are also within 10 minutes. Four Courts Station is 7 minutes by foot and Jervis Station is 9 minutes.