History
Saint Patrick is said to have passed through Dublin on his journey through Ireland. He is reputed to have baptised converts from paganism to Christianity in a well close to where the Cathedral now stands. To commemorate his visit a small wooden church was built on the site, one of the four Celtic parish churches in Dublin.
In 1191 John Comyn, the first Anglo-Norman archbishop of Dublin, raised this ancient church of Saint Patrick in insula to the status of a cathedral. The present building, the largest church in the country, was erected between 1200 and 1270. Over the centuries as the elements, religious reformation, and persecution took their toll, the Cathedral fell into disrepair, despite many attempts to restore it. Between 1860 and 1900 a full-scale restoration was carried out by the Guinness family.
Saint Patrick's is the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland, a member church of the Anglican Communion. Since 1870 the Cathedral Chapter has had representative members from the twelve Irish bishoprics, and this means that the Cathedral has strong regional links throughout the island of Ireland. The choral tradition of Anglican worship was established here in the 1530s. Saint Patrick's is the only remaining cathedral church in Ireland with a daily pattern of sung services. In addition to these services the Cathedral hosts many national religious commemorations. The Cathedral attracts some 300,000 visitors each year and its ministry of welcome is integral to its work as a living Christian community.
