St Patricks Cathedral DUBLIN

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Ardeaglais Naomh Phádraig aka Saint Patrick’s Cathedral has been at the heart of Dublin and Ireland’s history and culture for over 800 years. It is the largest cathedral and one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Ireland.

In 450AD St Patrick baptised people into Christianity on this site.
In 890AD it was recorded as Saint Patrick's in insula or Saint Patrick's on an island.
The status of St Patrick's was raised to that of a collegiate church in 1191 and to that of a Cathedral in 1212.
Construction of the current buildings began in 1220-1260 and the Lady Chapel (where baptisms are held to this day) was added in 1270.
In 1316 the original cathedral tower was blown down in a storm. And the north-west end of the nave was damaged by fire in 1362. These were both repaired in 1370.
In 1432 the Sy Patrick's Cathedral Choir School was founded. The Choir School is the oldest school in Ireland and still exists today. The Choir School still sing in the Cathedral on a daily basis.
The cathedral organs were installed in 1481. A new organ was built in 1697.
One of Dublin's first public clocks was installed in the tower in 1560.
In 1713, Johnathan Swift became Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral. Here, he wrote "Gullivers Travels" in 1726.
Handels "Messiah" was performed for the first time here in 1742.
The years 1860-1865 saw the restoration of the cathedral by the Guinness family. They donated a new peal of 10 bells in 1897.

Since 1537, the Cathedral has been an Anglican (Church of Ireland) cathedral a result of the English Reformation. In 1546, St Patrick's Grammar School was formed. In 1547 the cathedral was suppressed by Edward VI and demoted to the status of a parish church. It was also used as a courthouse. In 1688, during the Williamite wars, the cathedral was briefly repossessed by the Catholic King James II.

Today, the building is a busy place that serves as

a place of worship as the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland,
a visitor attraction, and
a host for many events.

A dedicated team of staff, volunteers and members of the Cathedral community are responsible for ensuring this building’s ongoing life and ministry is maintained for future generations to enjoy.