The cathedral contains the mummified remains of a cat and a rat, naturally preserved within the pipes of the 17th-century organ.
The 12th-century crypt is the oldest surviving structure in Dublin.
The cathedral floor is tiled with patterns modeled on 13th-century medieval designs found during the 19th-century restoration.
The structure is physically linked to the Dublinia exhibition via a prominent stone archway spanning the street.
Strongbow's effigy in the nave is actually a replacement; the original was destroyed when the south aisle roof collapsed in the 16th century.
The cathedral is home to a full peal of 19 bells, the first set in Ireland to be hung for full-circle change ringing.
Christ Church Cathedral, founded circa 1030 by the Viking King Sitric Silkenbeard, serves as the cathedral of the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough. The structure features a large 12th-century Romanesque crypt, one of the oldest and largest in the UK and Ireland. The cathedral is architecturally distinct for its medieval stonework and extensive Victorian restorations carried out by George Edmund Street in the 1870s. A covered stone bridge connects the cathedral to the former Synod Hall, which now houses the Dublinia history exhibition. The interior contains the tomb of Strongbow, the Anglo-Norman knight whose arrival in Ireland marked the start of English rule. The cathedral houses a collection of silver, medieval tiles, and a preserved mummified cat and rat found in the organ pipes. The complex includes a café located within the crypt area for visitor refreshments. It remains a functioning place of worship with daily choral services and concerts.
The interior of the nave looking toward the altar, or the exterior archway connecting the cathedral to the Synod Hall.
Combine your visit with the Dublinia museum, as the two locations offer a combined ticket and a connecting walkway.
Listen for the daily choral evensong, which is open to the public and offers an authentic acoustic experience in the nave.
Ensure you explore the furthest corners of the crypt to find the mummified cat and rat.
Avoid visiting during private weddings or state ceremonies, which may restrict access to parts of the cathedral.
Operating patterns may be restricted during religious services or private events; check for seasonal choral schedule changes.
Dress modestly as it is a functioning place of worship; maintain a quiet demeanor inside the nave.
