Churches & Relics
“May you have:
A world of wishes at your command.
God and his angels close to hand.
Friends and family their love impart,
and Irish blessings in your heart!”
- An Irish blessing
St. Patrick is believed to have spread the word of God to the pagan Irish some time around the 8th Century. From then on, the “Island of Saints and Scholars” became one of the most Catholic countries in Europe. When King Henry VIII tried to convert the Catholic Irish to Protestansim, it was the beginning of a long and arduous conflict, that still remains to this day.
Despite numerous wars and invasions over the centuries, many old churches and ancient Christian relics are still in existence today; and easily reached from your Sunlight Properties holiday rental property in Dublin. There are many churches and relics dotted around Dublin and the entire country. Hire a rental car and take a day away from your luxury holiday apartment to discover these fascinating and beautiful religious sites.click here
Churches
Christchurch Cathedral, Christchurch Place, Dublin 8. Tel: +353 (0)1 677 8099
When the Vikings invaded Ireland in the 9th Century, one of the greatest things they left in their wake was amazing architecture and Christchurch is the perfect example of this.
Opening Hours:
Oct – Feb: Mon – Sat: 9am – 5pm
Sun: 12.30 – 2.30pm
Mar – May: Mon – Sat: 9am – 6pm
Sun: 12.30 – 2.30pm / 4.30 – 6pm
Jun – Sept: Mon- Sat: 9am – 7pm
Sun: 12.30 – 2.30pm / 4.30 – 7pm
St. Patrick's Cathedral, St Patrick's Place, Dublin 8. Tel: +353 (0)1 453 9472
Named after, and founded next to the well where St. Patrick is believed to have been baptised, this is Ireland's largest church.
Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri: 9am – 5pm
Sat: 9am – 6pm (5pm Nov – Feb)
Sun: 9am – 10.30am; 12.30pm – 2.30pm; 4.30pm – 6pm (Mar – Oct only)
Admission: from €3.70
*Please note, the cathedral can close at short notice for funerals or other events.
St. Audoen's Church, High St, Dublin 8. Tel: +353 (0)1 677 0088
Dublin's oldest medieval church, the tower dates back to the 12th Century. Set in beautiful landscaped lawns, they show a very interesting film about pre-Viking times in Ireland.
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 9.30am – 5.30pm (April – Oct only)
Admission: Free
Unitarian Church, 112 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2. Tel: +353 (0)1 478 0638
Despite the fact that this is in one of the busiest parts of the city, this church goes largely unnoticed. It hosts a united congregation of all backgrounds and ages.
Opening Hours:
Services only Wed: 1.05pm Sun: 11am
St. Werburgh's Church, Werburgh St, Dublin 2. Tel: +353 (0)1 478 3710
Jonathon Swift was baptised here, Lord Edward Fitzgerald is buried in the vault, and it was the Guinness family's local church for generations. Originally built in 1178, it was rebuilt in 1719 but was left unfinished and there is still no dome or spire to this day.
*No set opening hours
St. Mary's Pro Cathedral, Marlborough St, Dublin 1. Tel: +353 (0)1 874 5441
This is Dublin’s third cathedral and although it’s not the most magnificent of buildings, it is steeped in history – the funerals of Michael Collins and Eamon de Valera were held here. There is a fantastic choir that sings at 11am mass on Sundays.
Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri: 7.30am – 6.45pm
Sat: 7.30am – 7.15pm
Sun: 9am – 1.45pm& 5.30 – 7.45pm
Public Holidays: 10am – 1.30pm
St. Mary’s Abbey, Meetinghouse Lane, Capel St, Dublin 1. Tel: +353 (0)1 833 1616
Described as “the most historic spot in all Dublin” in James Joyce’s Ulysses, this was once the wealthiest abbey in Ireland. Founded in 1139, and dissolved by King Henry VIII in 1539, it is now an exhibition centre with a self–guided tour.
Opening Hours:
Tours must be booked in advance
Admission: Free
St Michan’s Church, Church St, Dublin 7. Tel: +353 (0)1 872 4154
Dating back to 1685, this is the Northside’s oldest church. The main draw to this church is four damaged coffins with the remains of four bodies within, which have been perfectly preserved! The coffins lie in a crypt below the church . . .
Opening Hours:
1 Nov – 16 Mar: Mon - Fri 12.30pm – 3.30pm
17 Mar – 31 Oct: Mon - Fri 10am – 12.45pm & 2pm – 4.30pm
All year: Sat 10am – 12.45pm
Services: 10am 2nd and 4th Sun of the month
Whitefriar Street Church, 56 Aungier St, Dublin 2. Tel: +353 (0)1 475 8821
Situated in the inner city, and well known for the many shrines within, this church's main drawing point is that it holds the relics of St. Valentine.
Opening Hours:
Check website for up to date information
Relics
High Crosses
There are about 30 beautiful, detailed stone crosses dotted around Ireland. Take a day trip from your Sunlight Propertues holiday rental to visit these beautiful and ancient sights. High crosses were erected on early monastic sites along with a church and sometimes a round tower. They date back to early Christian times and were constructed mainly between the 7th and 12th Centuries. Earlier crosses, from the 7th Century, can be recognised by their simplicity - decorated with Celtic designs, whereas the later crosses, particularly those from the 9th Century, are much more elaborate in their design - depicting scenes from the bible. One of the most well known of these is the Cross of the Scriptures at Clonmacnoise.
Round Towers
There were various reasons that the monks built round towers. In a religious capacity, it was a way of being closer to the heavens. For more practical reasons, they were used mainly to hide treasured items from the Vikings, who often targeted monasteries in raids. The doors to the round towers normally sat about 3 meters above the ground, accessed by a rope bridge by the monks to hide during raids. The upper levels were used as lookout posts. There are over 60 round towers still standing in present day Ireland. Two are in Dublin – one in Lusk and one Clondalkin. Both of these locations are easily accesible from your Sunlight Properties self catering holiday home in Dublin city. Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly, Kells in Co Meath and Glendalough, Co Wicklow are three beautiful locations with high crosses, round towers and churches still standing. All three are a short drive from your vacation home in Dublin and are well worth a visit.
Clonmacnoise, Shannonbridge, Co Offaly. Tel: +353 (0)90 967 4195
During the 9th Century, this monastery was a centre for learning, religion, craftsmanship and trade, and many high kings of Tara and Connaught were buried here. A couple of hours drive from Dublin city, and definitely worth the journey.
Opening Hours:
Nov – Mid Mar: Mon – Sun: 10am – 5.30pm
Mid Mar – May: Mon – Sun: 10am – 6pm
Jun – Aug: Mon – Sun: 9am – 6.30pm
Sept – Oct: Mon – Sun : 10am – 6pm
Closed: 25th & 26th Dec.
Admission: €6 per adult
Kells, Co Meath. Tel: +353 (0)46 9286571
Just a 45 minute drive from Dublin city centre, Kells is regarded by many as having been one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland. Visit three high crosses and the round tour, each dotted around this present day buzzing market town. As they are located in open areas, there is no set opening or closing times. Also, take some time to travel around the Meath countryside to discover other sites for yourself. There are ancient graveyards that are still home to Ogham stones and high crosses, just a short drive outside Kells and easily accessible from your Sunlight Properties holiday rental.
Glendalough, Co. Wicklow. Tel:+353 (0)404 45352
Set in the picturesque village of Glendalough, an hour's drive south of Dublin, this was another very important monastic site that has been preserved over the centuries.
Opening Hours:
Mid October - Mid March: Daily 9.30 - 17.00
Mid March - Mid October: Daily 9.30 - 18.00
Admission: €3 per adult
The Royal Irish Academy, 19 Dawson St., Dublin 2 Tel: +353 (0)1 676 2570
An exceptionally large amount of relics, manuscripts and artifacts have been recovered throughout Ireland over the years. These include the Cross of Cong, ancient torcs (neck ornaments) and many copies of sacred writings and can be seen at the Royal Irish Academy.
Opening Hours:
Mon - Thurs: 10am – 5.30pm
Fri: 10am - 5pm
Admission: Free
