School Tours

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is the perfect destination for a school tour. Visting school tours get FREE entry to the building. The Cathedral also offers an Education Programme which includes selfguided resources, guided tours and workshops. The Cathedral has a wealth of learning possibilities across a range of subjects including History, Art, Architecture and Religion.

Saint Patrick's Cathedral free education programme is applicable to schools, universities, adult education groups, community groups or anyone who is engaged in formal learning. (This offer applies only to Irish institutions and excludes language groups.)

To book a visit simply contact us at

Telephone 353 1 453 9472
E-Mail education@stpatrickscathedral.ie

How would you like to use the Cathedral?

Self-guided
Guided Tours
Workshops
Combined Visits
What to study?

Self-guided

Visiting school tours may choose to explore the Cathedral self-guided, using it as a resource with which to meet their specific learning goals. Learning resources such as worksheets can be provided in this instance and groups may also book a seated space with tables in the Cathedral. This is a good option if you are short on time or would simply prefer to direct your students' learning yourself!

For self guided resources click here

Guided Tours

Alternatively visiting groups can request a guided session from one of our dedicated education staff.
These sessions can be tailored to include greater levels of depth on any of the topics below, so as to compliment specific subjects being studied by the group. Guided tours take at least 20-30 minutes.

Workshops

There are a number of workshops available to schools, also free of charge. These involve a greater investment in time usually lasting up to 1 and a half hours. Details of these can be found below.

Stained glass windows (Primary and Junior Cert Art Activity)
This workshop involves a quick tour of the Cathedral concentrating on some of the beautiful stained glass windows. Having had their fill of inspiration they will be shown how to go about producing their own versions. Students work in small groups on first of all coming up with a concept/ story or theme and then spend approx 15-20 minutes creating their own masterpiece!

1 class group per workshop
Suitable for 3rd class (Primary School) - Transition Year (Secondary School)

Duration approx 1 hour

Community of Faith (Junior Cert and Leaving Cert Religion)
There are few other places in Dublin which have a Religious history which extends back to the time of St Patrick. For Junior and Leaving Cert Religion classes studying “Communities of Faith” the Cathedral offers not only 800 years of history as a site of Religious significance but also an example of a building which is still an active place of worship.

Students are taken on a brief tour of the Cathedral with one of our clergy describing how the Cathedral works on a day to day basis. After this the class are led into a seated area where they as a group can conduct an interview style session. They can pose questions to a member of our clergy and explore themes which are relevant to their studies.

1 class group per workshop
Suitable for Secondary School level
Duration approx 1 hour

Observation and Sketching (Junior Cert and Leaving Cert Art)
St Patrick’s Cathedral is the perfect location for art students looking for some inspiration. Dramatic Gothic Architecture, beautiful stained glass windows and fascinating memorials at every turn provide ample opportunity to carry out observation and sketching. A guided tour can be provided which will point out some of the interesting elements of the Cathedral and a small seated area can be booked if students need a private space to work.

Preferably 1 class group at a time
Suitable for Secondary School level
Duration is at the teachers discretion

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Combined Visits

The Cathedral now offers combined school tours with other attractions:

Saint Patrick's Cathedral + Marsh's Library
Students are given a free guided tour of each of these fascinating sites which are next door to each other. No charge. Booking necessary.
Duration: 1 hour

Saint Patrick's Cathedral + Viking Splash
A free tour of Saint Patrick's Cathedral is included in the cost of a Viking Splash bus ticket for all school tours. Visit the Cathedral before or after the Viking Splash. Booking necessary.
Tour duration: 30 minutes

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What Subjects can you study in the Cathedral?

Below is a table which shows all the various subject areas and specific topics which overlap with the content of the cathedral. It also shows what we can offer in each area and to what level. So for example, for Medieval Ireland we can currently offer a themed guided tour at Primary and Junior Cert levels.

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