72 Pictures of ChristChurch Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland

ChristChurch Cathedral

Dating back to the 11th century this is the oldest building in Dublin. The Cathedral is one of Dublin's finest historic buildings. It goes all the way back in 1038 when Sitric, the Danish king of Dublin, built the first wood here. In 1171 the original simple foundation was extended into a cruciform and rebuilt in stone by Strongbow, although the present structure dates mainly from 1871 to 1878 when a massive restoration work was done. Actually just the transepts, the crypt and a few other parts date from the medieval times. Highlights of the interior include magnificent stonework and gracefully pointed arches, with delicately chiselled supporting columns. Strongbow is one of many historic figures buried in the church, just as archbishop Browne, 1st Protestant to occupy the church, during the reign of the English King Henry the 8th. It is the mother church for the Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough of the Church of Ireland.