Dublin · Medieval Dublin
Christ Church Cathedral
The medieval cathedral of Dublin, with a large crypt and a self-guided visit with an audio guide. It sits a short walk uphill from the river.
- 1 h 30
- €12
- Booking: not needed
- Medieval Dublin
Data checked on October 5, 2026
The cathedral was founded around 1030 and rebuilt in stone in the 12th and 13th centuries. It is also the home of the Dublin diocese and a working church, with services each week. The visit follows the nave and the transepts and goes down into the crypt, one of the largest cathedral crypts in Britain and Ireland. The collection includes the heart of St Laurence O'Toole, a rare copy of the Magna Carta and the famous mummified cat and rat.
What to look for
- The crypt beneath the cathedral
- The tomb associated with Strongbow
- The mummified cat and rat
- The heart of St Laurence O'Toole and the Magna Carta copy
Opening hours
| Monday | 9:30 am–6:00 pm | last entry 5:15 pm |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9:30 am–5:30 pm | last entry 4:45 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:30 am–6:00 pm | last entry 5:15 pm |
| Thursday | 9:30 am–5:30 pm | last entry 4:45 pm |
| Friday | 9:30 am–6:00 pm | last entry 5:15 pm |
| Saturday | 9:30 am–6:00 pm | last entry 5:15 pm |
| Sunday | 12:30 pm–3:00 pm, 4:30 pm–6:00 pm | last entry 5:15 pm |
Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9:30 to 18:00, Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 to 17:30. Sunday 12:30 to 15:00 and 16:30 to 18:00. Last admission for tours is 45 minutes before closing.
Source: Christ Church Cathedral, checked October 5, 2026
Tickets and booking
Adult ticket €12. The adult price of 12 euros is for tickets bought at the cathedral, and booking online is cheaper. A combined ticket with Dublinia, the Viking and medieval museum next door, takes about two and a half hours.
Pre-booking is encouraged but not required, and tickets can also be bought on arrival. Guided tours cannot be booked online and depend on availability on the day.
Getting there
Dublin Bus routes stop on Christchurch Place at the front, and it is a ten minute walk from the Trinity Luas stop.
Tip
The crypt is the part most visitors skip and the part that rewards the time, so allow a full hour for the audio guide.