The Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland, is the oldest standing church in the city.  Over the years, it has changed hands, from Viking kings, to the Irish Church, to the Anglo-Normans, to the English after the Restoration. As the official seat of the Church of Ireland, it is busy with services and church activities, but is quite accessible for those who just want to peek inside this majestic building.

Christ Church Cathedral

The Christ Church Cathedral was founded in 1030 AD by Sitriuc Silkenbeard, the Norse king of Dublin, on a site that was important to the ancient Irish that had lived there prior.  He had recently made a pilgrimage to Rome and upon his return, decided to build a church  It was presided over by Dúnán who served as its first bishop and the first bishop of Ireland.

In 1171, the church was visited by Henry II shortly after he had ordered the murder of the Archbishop Thomas Becket, now known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury.

In 1180, the church was rebuilt from wood to stone under the leadership of the Norse warlord, Strongbow.  Architectural additions were added, including chapels and a crypt, in which Strongbow himself was buried.  This crypt is the largest in all of the British Isles and visitors now have access to see it.  The church was further added to in the 1230s with the addition of the nave.

As the building was constructed on top of peat, in 1562, some of the foundation shifted and was ruined.  Temporary fixes were done to keep the building extant.  These short term fixes were all that the church received, and it almost became condemned, until it was renovated from 1871-78 under the architect, George Edmund Street.

Where is it Located?

The Christ Church Cathedral is located in Dublin, Ireland, at the end of Lord Edward Street between Winetavern Street and Christchurch Place.  This is right near the Wood Quay in the heart of the old Medieval section of Dublin. As it is a tourist site, there is a small cafe located inside the church walls.