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Education Visits
Education Visits
Primary, secondary, and third-level institutions, local community groups or adult education groups from the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland can request a free visit and tour of the Cathedral.
What’s on offer?
We currently have a small number of activities available to visiting education groups. Over the course of the summer, these offerings will be expanded and developed ready for the new academic year. See below what has been available in the past and what we hope to be able to offer from September.
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Self-guided
Visiting education groups may choose to explore the Cathedral on their own, using it as a resource with which to meet their specific learning goals. Learning resources, such as worksheets, can be provided 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!
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Guided Tours
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 compliment specific subjects being studied by the group. Guided tours take at least 20-30 minutes.
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Medieval Workshop
This workshop focuses on the medieval period. A guided tour of the building explains who the Anglo-Normans were and what the building was like in the medieval period before the group divides into four smaller groups for a host of activities including:
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- Brass rubbing
- Calligraphy
- Interactive map of Dublin
- Arch building
This workshop is currently not available as a guided activity; however, many of the facilities listed above are available to use in our Discover Space.
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Stained Glass Windows
This workshop involves a quick tour of the Cathedral concentrating on some of the beautiful stained glass windows. Having had their fill of inspiration, students will be shown how to go about producing their own versions. Students work in small groups to come up with a concept/story/theme for their window and then spend approximately 15-20 minutes creating their own masterpiece!
This workshop is currently not available as a guided activity; however, many of the facilities listed above are available to use in our Discover Space.
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.
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 is led into a seated area, where they 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.
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Observation and Sketching
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 seated area can be booked if students need a private space to work.
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Discovery Space
Our Discovery Space allows visitors of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to engage with the Cathedral and its history in a meaningful and tactile manner. Use our touch-screen to explore the hidden secrets of the Cathedral and meet some of the colourful characters in our history. Follow in the footsteps of generations of Cathedral visitors by taking a brass rubbing of one of our replica medieval brasses, or recreate our magnificent stained glass window depicting the life of Saint Patrick in jigsaw form, to name but a few activities on offer.
n.b.: Our Discover Space is available to the general public; however, when a school group has booked the space, we close the area to facilitate the school booking.
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Adult Education
A visit to Saint Patrick’s Cathedral can serve as an excellent way of furthering understanding of a variety of subject areas including history, art, architecture and religion.
Guided sessions can be requested from a member of our staff, with a focus on specific subject areas, where the relevant expertise is available.
In order to enquire about availability, please complete our application form online.
Terms & Conditions
The free education activities offer does not apply to active retirements groups, foreign language groups, schools from outside the island of Ireland, or any groups that charge their members.
Education Department Staff
Clark Brydon | Education Officer
+353 1 453 9472 (ext 205) | education@stpatrickscathedral.ie
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch!