Schools & Colleges

Discover the history, architecture and stories of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral on a guided tour led by our experienced education team. Tours can be tailored to your students’ ages, interests and learning objectives, with additional focus on requested subjects or topics.

Guided tours usually take place at the beginning of an educational visit to introduce students to the Cathedral’s history. Afterwards, groups can continue their visit exploring the interactive Discovery Space or taking part in one of our workshops (if previously booked).

Duration: 45 mins | Ages: 8+ | Group size: Max 30

Step back in time and discover what life was like during the medieval period.

Students will learn how medieval books were copied by hand, and explore the tools used for writing by monks and nuns.

The class will work then in smaller groups to take part in a series of hands-on activities, including:

• Gothic Calligraphy – Practice medieval-style lettering using real quills and ink.
• Brass rubbing – Discover this traditional method of recording historic designs.
• Model building – Recreate the Cathedral’s iconic architecture.

Duration: 45 mins | Ages: 8+ | Group Size: Max 30

Discover the colours, stories, and craftmanship of the Cathedral's beautiful stained-glass windows. Students will begin by exploring how the images and colours in the windows can be used to tell stories without words.

Inspired by what they've seen, students will choose a story or theme and create their own designs using markers, coloured cellophane, and card.

Please note: Students create their designs with cellophane, not real glass.

Duration: 45 mins | Ages: 8+ | Group Size: Max 30

Did you know that music has been an integral part of the Cathedral for centuries? From the medieval music and Handel's Messiah, to the choral music of today, some of the best musicians have worked within these walls.

During an introductory guided tour, students will discover the important role of the Cathedral Choir and organists, visit the historic choir stalls, and find how music forms part of daily worship.

Students will be then introduced to the WOOFYT: a wooden one-octave organ designed for young technologists. With the guidance os a experienced facilitator, they will discover how an organ produces sound and work together to make their own music.

By experimenting with airflow, pumps and valves, students will learn the connections between music, science, technology and engineering.

Duration: 50 mins | Ages: 9+ | Group Size: Max 25

Discover the remarkable story of Saint Patrick from slavery and escape to his return to Ireland and enduring legacy. Students will learn about his life and explore his connection with the Cathedral.

A new storytelling and drama-based activity inspired in Saint Patrick's life is currently in development. A creative Saint Patrick-themed craft workshop (puppet making) can also be arranged on request.

Duration: 50 mins | Ages: 8+ | Group Size: Max 20

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral offers an inspiring setting for school groups and art students to explore architecture and history through art and drawing.

This way, students will discover our dramatic Gothic architecture, the beautiful stained glass windows, fascinating arches and decorative details as never before: observing carefully around them and experiencing the Cathedral through their eyes and hands.

Groups can explore independently the building or request a guided introduction highlighting interesting elements and spots of the Cathedral. Subject to availability, a small seating area can be booked for students to work.

This activity can be adapted to different ages, abilities, and learning goals, making it suitable for school groups, college, and university art groups.

Duration: Flexible | Ages: All | Group size: Max 30

Gulliver's Travels was the best-known publication by former Dean of Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Jonathan Swift. The book has ignited the imagination of generations of children with its fantastical tales of far-off and strange lands.

In this workshop, children will read a one-page zine version of the famous adventure and learn about the printing processes used to distribute the book in the 18th century.

They will then create their own booklets to tell tales of wild lands and peoples, that they may distribute far and wide by the modern use of a photocopier.

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

Discover the patterns, creatures and symbols found in the Cathedral’s floor tiles. Some of them date back to the medieval ages! Students will explore their designs and learn about the traditional process of making and decorating tiles.

Then, using clay students will create and decorate their own tile, taking inspiration from the patters they've seen in the Cathedral.

This tactile activity encourages curiosity, and close observation, and each student will take their finished piece home.

Duration: 50 mins | Ages: 8+ | Group Size: Max 15

In this interactive tour designed for 3rd to 6th class, students become young detectives to help solve the mystery of a missing notebook filled with ideas and doodles belonging to Jonathan Swift, the famous author of Gulliver’s Travels and former Dean of the Cathedral.

Working together in small groups, students will follow a trail of hidden clues, use problem-solving skills, and explore key areas of the Cathedral to piece together the mystery.

This engaging activity lasts around 45 minutes and encourages teamwork, critical thinking, and an interest in history and literature.

Duration: 45 mins | Ages: 7-12 | Group Size: Max. 12

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Choir School is the oldest school in Ireland, established in 1432. We are based directly across from the main entrance of the Cathedral at ‘The Blue Door’. Our students come from all over Dublin, and we cater from 3rd to 6th class.

School groups visiting the Cathedral are invited to come across the Close to meet our students and see the Choir School. Visits usually involve a game for everyone to get to know each other, some musical performances and a shared lunch/yard time. A great addition to your school visit to the Cathedral!

*Choir School visits subject to availability. Our team will advise at the time of booking. 

Time: 30 mins | Ages: 7+ | Participants: All class sizes are welcome!

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.

Duration: 45 mins | Ages: 13+ | Group Size: 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