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Baptistry
The baptistry sits within the oldest section of Saint Patrick's Cathedral and likely formed part of the entrance to an earlier church that stood on the site before the current building was constructed. Its vault is notably more primitive and early in design than that of the rest of the cathedral, which testifies to its considerable age. What to see here offers a glimpse into Dublin's medieval ecclesiastical history.
Virgin's Chapel
The Lady Chapel is a private chapel situated at the east end of the cathedral, behind the high altar, and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Built in 1270 by Archbishop Fulk de Saunford, it underwent substantial restoration in 2012 at a cost of approximately €700,000, which restored it to its original splendour. The chapel now hosts most of the cathedral's weekday services and welcomes both visitors and pilgrims.
Dunsany Chapel
Dunsany Chapel, also called the Chapel of St Stephen, serves as the spiritual home of the Order of St Lazarus in Ireland. Located within Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, the chapel's decoration was funded by Lord and Lady Dunsany, who established the Order of St Lazarus in Ireland in 1962. Visitors to the cathedral can view this distinctive chapel and learn about its role in the Order's Irish heritage.
Jonathan Swift's Tomb
Jonathan Swift's grave lies at the west end of Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, marked by a simple brass plaque set into the floor. Beside it is the tomb of his close friend Esther Johnson, known as Stella. On the opposite wall stands his epitaph, inscribed in Latin on black Kilkenny marble with gilded lettering. A straightforward memorial to the celebrated 18th-century satirist and author of Gulliver's Travels.
Stella's Tomb (Esther Johnson)
Stella's tomb—Jonathan Swift's name for Esther Johnson—consists of a memorial plaque set into the cathedral floor, immediately adjacent to Swift's own. The two interlocking tablets form one of the most poignant corners in the cathedral, uniting in death two people whose relationship in life remained forever ambiguous. What to see here offers insight into one of literary history's most intriguing personal mysteries.
Organ
St Patrick's Cathedral's organ stands among Ireland's largest, boasting over 4,000 pipes housed in a specially built chamber in the triforium above the north choir aisle. The instrument's five-century history reflects successive transformations, from the Renaissance work of Renatus Harris through to 20th-century modifications. What to see here showcases the evolution of organ craftsmanship across centuries, making it a notable feature within this historic Dublin cathedral.
Choir Stalls with Heraldic Banners of the Knights of Saint Patrick
St Patrick's Cathedral's choir stalls display the heraldic banners of the Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick, preserved exactly as they were left when the order ceased holding ceremonies here. The cathedral served as the order's official chapel from its foundation in 1783 until 1869, hosting some of Ireland's most solemn investitures of the nobility. The banners remain a striking testament to this chapter of Irish history, offering visitors insight into the ceremonial traditions that once took place within these walls.
Chapter House Door (Gate of Reconciliation)
The Door of Reconciliation is a 15th-century historical door now displayed in the north transept of the cathedral as an artefact. What makes it truly distinctive is the hole cut into its surface—a feature tied to a compelling historical episode that has made this one of the cathedral's most iconic objects. Worth seeing for both its craftsmanship and the remarkable story behind it.
Boyle Monument
Boyle's Monument is an imposing four-tiered funeral mausoleum erected in 1632 by Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork, to honour his family, in-laws and the ancestors of his wife Catherine Fenton. Situated at the western end of the cathedral, it rises 34 feet from the ground and sits beneath an arch that once served as the entrance to the Chapel of Saint Mary. What to see here is one of 17th-century Ireland's most elaborate and narratively complex funerary monuments, rich in sculptural detail and historical significance.
- 1.Baptistry
- 2.Virgin's Chapel
- 3.Dunsany Chapel
- 4.Jonathan Swift's Tomb
- 5.Stella's Tomb (Esther Johnson)
- 6.Organ
- 7.Choir Stalls with Heraldic Banners of the Knights of Saint Patrick
- 8.Chapter House Door (Gate of Reconciliation)
- 9.Boyle Monument
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