St. Patrick's Cathedral Tours and Activities

St. Patrick's Cathedral
St. Patrick's Cathedral
St. Patrick's Cathedral
St. Patrick\'s Cathedral showing interior views, religious elements and heritage elements
St. Patrick\'s Cathedral featuring interior views, a church or cathedral and heritage elements


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

The largest church in Ireland is St. Patrick’s Cathedral, on a site with a church since the 800s. Although it has status as the national cathedral, it is not the seat of the bishop because Dublin has two cathedrals. Marvel at the 101-foot (31-meter) granite spire atop the 147-foot (45-meter) Minot’s Tower. The present building was constructed in 1220.

Enter through a large portal in the façade and admire the ornate nave. Visit the choir and enjoy the warm ambiance generated by the browns, reds and intricate floor patterns. Guided tours are available several times daily Monday through Saturday. Download the audio guide for a greater understanding of the church’s features.

Note the grave and epitaph of writer Jonathan Swift, who was dean of the cathedral in the 18th century. Purchase souvenirs and ecclesiastical items from the gift shop.

Attend a music recital in this historic venue and note the acoustics as the sounds reverberate around the medieval walls. Inspect the organ, among the largest in the country with more than 4,000 individual pipes. Parts of it date back to the 17th century.

Relax in the pleasant area of St. Patrick’s Park, which lies on the northern side of the church. Enjoy a picnic on the lawn in view of the Gothic masterpiece.

Learn about Dublin’s unusual status as a two-cathedral city. Tensions arose between the two sites for centuries in the Middle Ages. Eventually, it was decided that St. Patrick’s would be the national cathedral while Christ Church is Cathedral of Dublin and Glendalough.

There is a fee to enter the church as a sightseer enter the chapel for free to pray. From Monday to Saturday, it is open between morning and late afternoon. Sunday opening times bracket the services.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is in the southern section of the city. From O’Donovan Rossa Bridge, walk south past Christ Church Cathedral and the Millennium Child to reach the site in 10 minutes. Several bus lines bring passengers to the adjoining street.

Plan a trip to see St. Patrick's Cathedral

Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices.
Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin
IFSC Townhouse Apartments
Grafton Street Studios

Tours & day trips

See all 297 activities

Private & custom tours

See all 113 activities

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 66 activities

Adventure & outdoor

See all 16 activities

Classes & workshops

See all 13 activities

Reviews of St. Patrick's Cathedral

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
131
5 - Excellent 42%
4 - Good
153
4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
24
3 - Okay 8%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Currently under construction. Also a high fee to enter.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Unfortunate

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Hop On/Hop Off Bus

4/5 - Good

PatR

You can walk the outside grounds for free, but you have to pay to see the inside of the cathedral. We did a self guided tour (guided tours end early in the afternoon, 2PM I believe).

3/5 - Okay

Jocelyne

Very somber inside and so big. It is worth a visit but had to wait to get inside, only one casher for entrance could be better manage.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Make sure you allow enough time.

Popular places to visit


Best Lodging Options Near St. Patrick's Cathedral

Ruby Molly Hotel Dublin
Ruby Molly Hotel Dublin
4 out of 5
26 - 33 Arran Street East, Dublin
Ruby Molly Hotel Dublin
Marlin Hotel Stephens Green
Marlin Hotel Stephens Green
4 out of 5
11 Bow Ln E, Dublin
Marlin Hotel Stephens Green
Clink i Lár
Clink i Lár
2 out of 5
35-36 Abbey Street Upper. Dublin1, Dublin
Clink i Lár
Staycity Aparthotels, Dublin, Tivoli
Staycity Aparthotels, Dublin, Tivoli
3.5 out of 5
135 FRANCIS STREET, Dublin 8, Dublin
Staycity Aparthotels, Dublin, Tivoli
Maldron Hotel Kevin Street, Dublin City
Maldron Hotel Kevin Street, Dublin City
4 out of 5
Kevin Street Upper, Dublin, Dublin
Maldron Hotel Kevin Street, Dublin City
Iveagh Garden Hotel
Iveagh Garden Hotel
4 out of 5
72/74 Harcourt St., Dublin
Iveagh Garden Hotel
The Chancery Hotel
The Chancery Hotel
4 out of 5
21 Ship Street Great, Dublin Castle, Dublin
The Chancery Hotel
Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin
Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin
4 out of 5
23 Upper O Connell Street, Dublin, Dublin
Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin
Staycity Aparthotels, Dublin, City Centre
Staycity Aparthotels, Dublin, City Centre
4 out of 5
Mary Street Little, Dublin
Staycity Aparthotels, Dublin, City Centre
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.