Saint Patricks Cathedral Dublin

• By: Dublin Doer
• On: 03/11/2008 20:06:16
• In: Dublin Things to do and see
• Comments: 0

Saint Patricks Cathedral, Dublin is the National Cathedral for the whole of Ireland and attracts over 300,000 visitors a year. The main purpose of the Cathedral always was and still is worship. However, its history and permanent exhibition are mainly what draws the majority of these visitors.

History On his return to Ireland Saint Patrick travelled round the country converting and pagans to Christians. At a well where the Saint Patricks Cathedral now stands he baptised the locals to Christianity. A wooden church was built on the spot in remembrance of the saints visit in the middle of the 5th century. In 1191, Saint Patrick's was raised to the status of a cathedral and was rebuilt in stone between 1200 and 1270. Between 1860 and 1900 the church, in serious disrepair, was fully restored to the original design. Saint Patricks is still the largest church in Ireland and is one of two Protestant Cathedrals in Dublin.

The Exhibition An ancient Celtic Stone slab preserved inside the Cathedral marks the spot where St Patrick baptised his converts all those centuries ago. But on entering the church the immediate eye-catcher is the multitude flags, busts, plaques, monuments and tombs. The heraldic banners of the Knights of Saint Patrick hang over the choir stalls. Even a casual inspection of the exhibition gives the visitor an idea of the contribution this cathedral has made to Irish life down through the centuries.

Saint Patricks is unique in having two sung services every day except Saturday. The choir was founded in 1432 and took part in the first performance of Handels Messiah in 1742. The cathedral is also host with an organ which is recognized as one of the finest early twentieth-century organs in the world.

The large bell tower dates from 1370 and houses one of the largest peals of bells in Ireland whose ringing tones are so well known and admired in this area of Dublin. Most notable of those buried here is Jonathan Swift. He was dean of Saint Patricks from 1713 to 1742 and produced most of his writings there including the world famous Gullivers Travels. Although Swift was a satirist who wrote mainly of his contemporary society his work is still widely read and his satire still interesting and impressive. His grave with his own famous epitaph is close to the entrance to the cathedral.

Tel: +353-1-453 9472 (office) / +353-1-475 4817 (cathedral)

Fax: +353-1-454 6374

E-mail: admin@stpatrickscathedral.ie