St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin — Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Saint Patrick is said to have baptized converts at a well on this very site in the 5th century, and that ancient connection to Ireland's patron saint gives the cathedral a spiritual significance that runs deeper than its impressive Gothic stone.

The present building dates to 1220-1259, constructed by Archbishop Luke in a cruciform shape with the Nave forming the long arm, the Choir at the top, and the Transepts forming the cross. In 1560, one of Dublin's first public clocks was added to the tower, and a spire followed in 1700.

The cathedral's most famous resident was Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels and Dean of St. Patrick's for over 30 years. Both Swift and his companion Esther Johnson ("Stella") are buried within the cathedral, their graves a place of pilgrimage for literary admirers.

By the 19th century, the building had fallen into serious disrepair. Benjamin Guinness (yes, that Guinness family) funded a major restoration in the 1860s, essentially saving the cathedral from ruin. The restoration preserved the medieval character while ensuring the building would stand for centuries to come.

Since 1870, the Church of Ireland has designated St. Patrick's as the national cathedral for all of Ireland, with chapter members drawn from each of the 12 dioceses. Hundreds of thousands of visitors arrive each year, and restoration work continues almost daily.

A Questo quest through Dublin's historic core connects St. Patrick's with nearby Christ Church Cathedral and other landmarks, revealing how faith and history are woven into every corner of the city.