Castle and Cathedrals DUBLIN, IRELAND

Dublin Castle

The Castle stands on the ridge on a strategic site at the junction of the River Liffey and its tributary the Poddle, where the original fortification may have been an early Gaelic Ring Fort. Later a Viking Fortress stood on this site - a portion of which is on view to visitors in the ' Mediaeval Undercroft' which also includes the remains of the original 13th century Castle. The south range houses the State Apartments that were built as the residential quarters of the Viceregal court. They are now the venue for Presidential Inaugurations, State Functions and Ireland's Presidencies of the European Union. The State Apartments and Medieval Undercroft tour is €5.50. The Chapel Royal and gardens are free.  
Christ Church Cathedral One of Dublin's oldest buildings, and a place of pilgrimage for almost 1,000 years. Famous for its magnificent architectural features and wonderful floor tiles, It is home to the tomb of Strongbow, leader of the Normans, who captured Dublin in 1170. The Medieval Crypt, one of the largest in Britain and Ireland, extends under the entire Cathedral and contains The Mummified cat and rat, trapped in the organ in the 1860s. (entrance €6)
St Patrick’s Cathedral Ireland’s largest church that was founded in the 12th century. Jonathan Swift, the author of “Gulliver’s Travels”, who was the dean of the Cathedral from 1713-45, is the only person to be buried here. (entrance €5.50)
Click on an image to see a slideshow