Cathedral tours can be offered by our dedicated and experienced tour guide team. Tours can be tailored to include greater levels of depth on relevant topics, so as to complement specific subjects being studied by the group.

Normally each educational visit would begin with a guided tour. Upon completion of the tour, groups may return to the Discovery Space for self-led activities or additional workshops as booked.

Time: 45 mins | Ages: 8+ | Participants: Max 30

After a guided tour of the Cathedral explains who the Anglo-Normans were and what the building was like in the medieval period, the group divides into smaller groups for a host of activities including:

• • Brass rubbing
  • Calligraphy
  • Arch building
  • Tile making

Time: 45 mins | Ages: 8+ | Participants: Max 30

After a guided tour of the Cathedral, concentrating on some of the beautiful stained glass windows, students will be shown how to go about producing their own versions.

They work in small groups to come up with a concept, story or theme for their window and then spend approximately 15-20 minutes creating their own masterpiece!

n.b. Students create their design with paper and card, not real glass.

Time: 30 mins | Ages: 8+ | Participants: Max 30

The story of Saint Patrick is that of slavery, escape, triumph, and storytelling. Students can learn all about who Saint Patrick was and what he did by acting out his life. After a tour of the Cathedral, students will discover the story of Patrick. This is through discussion, possibly enhanced with colouring worksheets. After this, students are warmed up with some drama exercises, before acting out some aspects of Patrick's life.

Time: 45 mins | Ages: 13+ | Participants: Max 15

Music is an integral part of what the Cathedral does. For centuries, the Cathedral Choir and organists have adorned our services with music, with some of the best musicians working at the Cathedral.

From the medieval music of the past, to Handel's well-known oratorio Messiah, to the contemporary choral music of today, Saint Patrick's Cathedral has many stories to tell.

After a tour of the Cathedral, focusing on the Cathedral Choir, their stalls, and their daily pattern of worship, students are introduced to our WOOFYT: a wooden one-octave organ for young technologists. A skilled facilitator will then talk about how organs work and allow students the opportunity to work together to make their own music.

Although music can seem like a world apart from science, technology and engineering, there are lots of connections to be explored. The WOOFYT makes these connections visible and audible, linking music in a simple and direct way with the physics of fluids and the technology of pumps and valves.

Time: 60 mins | Ages: 9+ | Participants: Max 20

There are few other places in Dublin which have a religious history, which extends back to the time of Saint Patrick and is still an active place of worship.

After a tour of the Cathedral, concentrating on the building from a worship perspective, students have a session discovering our religious and liturgical background, before attempting to devise their own services and writing their own prayers. The focus of this session will be tailored to the present time within the Church liturgical year, making it most accessible at times such as Advent, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, etc..

This workshop would pair well with the Clergy Q&A workshop.

Time: 45 mins | Ages: 13+ | Participants: Max 30

Depending on the availability of the Cathedral Clergy, it may be possible to arrange a question and answer session for your group. This is an excellent opportunity to ask a priest any questions that the students have about religion and the Cathedral, especially within the context of the Church of Ireland.

We are lucky that our residentiary clergy are incredibly knowledgeable and experienced, and would offer a rare and unique insight for students of any age.

Alternatively, it may be possible to arrange speakers of different denominations and faiths to come together and address questions in an informal, relaxed setting.

n.b. Though there is an element of live interaction, it is helpful to have prepared the questions in advance, so that both the group and attending participants know what to expect.

Time: 45 mins | Ages: 13+ | Participants: Max 30

Saint 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 seating area can be booked if students need a private space to work.

Time: N/A | Ages: All | Participants: Max 30

Jonathan Swift is one of the Cathedral's most famous figures. After a guided tour of his Cathedral, concentrating on how it would have been during Swift's time, students are shown specific artefacts relating to Jonathan Swift.

If students are not aware of his work, we can introduce them to his writings and his legacy, before showing them some interesting items, such as his skull and death mask!

Time: 30 mins | Ages: 13+ | Participants: Max 30