Visit Ireland’s Top Churches

For those who are devout or simply devout lovers of history and architecture, Ireland’s wide range of churches and cathedrals are a must-add to your itineraries. These beautiful buildings boast rich pasts, wonders of design, and continue to be community staples as the years go by. Here we’ve listed some of the top churches in Ireland for you to consider on your trip to the Emerald Isle!

St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin is Ireland’s Largest Church, with an internal length of 287ft and an external length of 300ft. This beautiful cathedral was constructed all the way back in 1220, on the site of an ancient well, said to be used by St. Patrick himself to perform baptisms. This beautiful building served as a chapel to the Knights of St Patrick from 1783 to 1869, and is also home to several war monuments, such as the Tree of Remembrance, which honors the victims of WW1. This location is featured on the Go-City Dublin pass and guided tours are available Monday through Saturday.

The Christ Church Cathedral, also in Dublin, has a rich and lengthy history. It once served as a place of worship for the Vikings, established in the year 1030, before being incorporated into the Irish Church by archbishop and Saint Laurence O’Toole in 1152. It has been renovated several times over the years, and the cathedral as it exists now is mostly in the Victorian style, decorated in 1871. This church is famous for its 18^th century bells, the oldest being from 1738. If you’re adventurous, take a tour of the belfry and ring the cathedral bells yourself! You can also view a relic here, the very heart of St. Laurence O’Toole. This cathedral offers a range of tours and is also featured on the Go-City Dublin pass.

Our next pick takes us to the charming town of Cobh in county Cork. Built in 1919, this cathedral, designed in the gothic style, is an iconic landmark of Cobh, overlooking a row of colorful houses near the harbor. It is the tallest church in Ireland, with a steeple that is 300ft tall! Not only that, but Colman’s Cathedral is also home to the largest bell in Ireland, named after St. Colman, and weighing 3.6 tons. Don’t forget it’s signature instrument, the carillon (the only one in Ireland)! This percussion instrument is a combination of keyboard and bells and just one of the many things that makes this cathedral unique. After taking in the beauty of the building, don’t forget to stop by the gift shop for a souvenir.

Our next Cathedral is in Belfast. The Belfast Cathedral, formerly known as the St. Anne’s Cathedral, is a popular destination full of a rich history. The former St Anne’s Cathedral was built in 1776, and named after the mother of the virgin Mary. However in the early 1900s, the cathedral was demolished and construction on the Belfast Cathedral was begun in its stead. Almost 80 years of work transformed the cathedral into what it is today. One of its most unique features is the Spire of Hope, a 250ft tall stainless-steel spire which you can look up through from the interior of the building! It also is home to the largest pipe organ in Ireland, and a Funeral Pall honoring the victims of the titanic, created for the 100 year anniversary of the tragedy.

Last on our list of wonderful churches in Ireland is Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral in Cork. This 13^th century gothic style cathedral was built in 1865 and is well known for its beauty and architectural features. There are 1260 sculptures within and without Saint Fin Barre’s, including 32 gargoyles, each with different animal heads! There are also frequently exhibitions and installations in the Ambulatory for people to visit. This cathedral is dedicated to Saint Finbarr, the patron saint of the city of Cork, who died in the year 623. Music enthusiasts can rejoice too—this cathedral is home to the largest cathedral organ in Ireland, built in 1889! Group tours in Ireland are available for groups of 10 or more, but exploring this historic church on your own is well worth it!

Cathedrals are a wonderful itinerary filler, allowing visitors to experience different perspectives, learn local history, and admire unique artwork and craftsmanship. There are many more cathedrals and churches in Ireland to explore than what we’ve mentioned here, but we hope this list has given you an idea of where to begin looking when planning your trip with Celtic Tours!