Music
Music has played an integral part in the daily life of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral since its foundation in the thirteenth century. Henri de Londres (consecrated Archbishop of Dublin in 1213) created a college of sixteen vicars choral who lived within the precincts of the cathedral. Archbishop Richard Talbot (Archbishop of Dublin from 1418–49) endowed a college of six minor canons and six boy choristers in 1431. His purpose was to ensure the provision of polyphonic choral music in the cathedral. The choir remains one of the few choirs of men and boys in Ireland.
The choir was re-organised at the Guinness restoration in 1865 and put on a more secure financial footing. The combined choirs of Christ Church and Saint Patrick’s Cathedrals sang the first performance of Handel’s oratorio Messiah on 13 April 1742.
