When you walk around the city streets of Dublin you will come across beautiful architecture, historic buildings and Churches. While St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest in Ireland, Christ Church is also an impressive sight that is full of beauty and history. Tours of the Church are available for a fee either on your own or by guided tour. You can buy tickets online ahead of time or at the Cathedral entrance.
In 1030 a Norse King of Dublin named Sitriuc Silkenbeard founded the Church. It was originally a small wooden Viking Church with the stone work starting around 1200. There have been many restorations throughout the centuries giving the architectural style different influences of Gothic, Romanesque and later on Victorian. It is well worth the time to come in and enjoy.
As I entered the Cathedral, I immediately noticed that the floor is covered in beautiful and intricate tiles. The Church is full of stained glass windows, ornate art and beautiful arches. I was lucky to wander in while a choir was finishing a practice and it was lovely to hear their voices echo through the sanctuary.
One of my favorite parts of this Church is the 12th century crypt beneath the main floor. There, you can see the medieval stone vaulting and the crypt itself houses many treasures of the Cathedral from centuries past. There are manuscripts and artifacts scattered throughout. One of the more unusual artifacts is a mummified Cat and rat that were found in an organ pipe during a restoration. There is also a small gift shop where you can pick up a souvenir from your visit.
