St Patrick's Cathedral Dublin. A (Bad) Review
Is St. Patrick's Cathedral Worth Visiting?
I'm a tour guide who loves tours because they bring places alive. Churches are not exciting places, let's be realistic here, and it's the tour guides who make them worth visiting. But I just wasn't feeling it on this tour and actually cut it short when the guide wasn't looking
Score: 6/10
What is St. Patrick's Cathedral?
St. Patrick's Cathedral is just 400 meters from the more famous Christ Church Cathedral. They are both Church of Ireland cathedrals, but there's a key difference: St. Patrick's is the cathedral for all of Ireland, while Christ Church is Dublin's cathedral. And there's a distinct difference between the two experiences.
The Tour Experience
When you enter, you're given headphones to listen to an audio guide at each stop. They're available in different languages, but it ended up being a weird vibe.
I visited in August, peak season and it was packed in the cathedral, but packed with people solemnly walking around in their own world, like a religious silent disco. They all looked bored too.
I'm being quite harsh here, and maybe the business of the place was why. I like my quiet, so bear that in mind, but it was such a shame that so many people spent their Saturday afternoon here when they could have been gone to the market in the fantastic St Anne's Park and seen the true Dublin away from all the tourists in the city.
Guided Tours
St Patrick's does have guided tours but not at set times. I asked about them and they said it depends on volunteers, but usually around 10 and 2.
What You See in St. Patrick's
War Memorial Atmosphere
This feels more like a war memorial than a place of worship. Every inch of the walls are covered in plaques and commemorations of wars, many British wars where Irish soldiers fought because it was a job at a time when Ireland was very poor. Take those out and it is a beautiful 800 year old church. But I just didn't like all the war stuff. Give me regular old Stations of the Cross instead.
Dean Swift
Dean Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels, was the dean of the church for 30 years. His death mask is on display.
St. Patrick's Stone
In the park outside is a stone that states this is where St. Patrick baptized people back in his day. The stone does state that they're not exactly sure where, but it was somewhere around here!
Practical Information
Cost: No need to book ahead, just pay on the day. It was €11 in August 2025.
Admission is included with the Dublin Pass if you plan on seeing a lot of museums and attractions.
After Your Visit: St. Patrick's Park in front of it is beautiful. Get a to go lunch from Rosie's Cafe and have a St. Patrick's picnic in front of the fountain.
Alternative
If you do want to do the whole church thing, Christ Church is better. More churchy feeling, the tour guide there was superb and the crypt is something different.
But there's so much more to Dublin than walking around yet another old church. this one is a big skip for me.
Here's my 2 day Dublin itinerary with much better things to do.
Ireland by Locals
Ireland by Locals
