Christ Church cathedral

Christ Church cathedral, the cathedral church of the archdiocese of Dublin and Glendalough. A cathedral has existed on this site since c.1028 when the Norse king of Dublin, Sitric Silkbeard, co‐founded the cathedral of the Holy Trinity with Bishop Dúnán of Dublin. Shortly after the Anglo‐Norman invasion the construction of a new cathedral was commenced, building work starting at the east end with a new choir and transepts over a crypt. The nave was probably completed shortly after 1234. Detailing within the building exhibits parallels with contemporary buildings in the Severn valley in England, suggesting the involvement of masons from that area in the cathedral's construction. An Augustinian priory was established at the cathedral in 1163 and domestic buildings belonging to the priory were erected to the south of the cathedral during the 13th century.

Various additions were made to the cathedral during the 14th century, including the extension of the choir and the addition of the chapel of Great St Mary. In 1562 the nave vaults collapsed, causing extensive damage to the south side of the building. Although repaired almost immediately, the fabric of the cathedral suffered from much neglect in ensuing centuries. The present building is largely Gothic revival work, dating from extensive ‘restoration’ carried out during 1871–8 by George Edmund Street.

As the principal church of the Old English colony in Ireland Christ Church played an important role in the civic life of the city. Until the 16th century lords deputy took their oath of office in the cathedral, and it was here that Lambert Simnel was crowned in 1487. In 1608 law courts were established over the semi‐ruined priory buildings to the south of the cathedral buildings.

Rachel Moss