Christ Church Cathedral is a working Anglican cathedral located at Christchurch Place, Dublin 8, founded around 1028 and one of the oldest buildings in the city. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, how to get there, parking, accessibility, what to see inside, and practical tips to help you plan your visit.
To skip the explanation and just buy tickets, head here. Those wanting to save money while visiting multiple attractions should know that entrance to Christ Church Cathedral is covered by the Go City Dublin Pass.
Updated February 2026. Ticket prices and opening hours were verified directly on the cathedral’s official website in February 2026. Note that many third-party guides still list the adult admission price as €8 or €9 — the current walk-in price is €12 for adults, though a discount is available when booking online in advance.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Christchurch Place, Dublin 8, D08 TF98 |
| Opening hours | Mon–Sat: 09:30–17:00; Sun: 12:30–15:00 |
| Last admission | 45 minutes before closing |
| Adult ticket (walk-in) | €12.00 (discount available when booking online) |
| Senior/Student ticket | €10.00 |
| Child ticket (under 12) | €4.00 |
| Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) | €28.00 |
| Toddler (under 4) | Free |
| Disabled visitor / accompanying carer | Free |
| Nearest public transport | Luas: Four Courts stop (approx. 10 min walk); Dublin Bus: stops on Dame Street and Lord Edward Street |
| Typical visit duration | Approx. 1 hour (self-guided); longer with guided tour |
Christ Church Cathedral opening hours
Christ Church Cathedral is open Monday to Saturday from 09:30 to 17:00, and on Sundays from 12:30 to 15:00. Last admission for tours is 45 minutes before closing, so the last entry on weekdays is at 16:15 and on Sundays at 14:15. The cathedral is a working place of worship and may close at short notice for services or events — it is advisable to check the official website or call ahead if you are visiting at a specific time.
Opening hours were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.
Christ Church Cathedral ticket prices
The standard walk-in adult ticket is €12.00, which includes a self-guided tour of the cathedral and crypt, plus an audio guide. A discount is available when booking online in advance through the cathedral’s ticketing system. Children under 4 enter free. Disabled visitors and their accompanying carers also receive free admission.
Combination tickets for Christ Church Cathedral and Dublinia (the adjoining Viking and medieval history museum) can be purchased at the cathedral’s welcome desk or at the Dublinia ticket office. The cathedral is also included on the Go City Dublin Pass (free entry, no advance booking required), along with the likes of the Guinness Storehouse Experience and 14 Henrietta Street.
Ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.
Why book the Go City Dublin Pass?
- 🎟️ Access to 40+ Attractions: Enjoy entry to Dublin’s most iconic sites, including the Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Distillery Bow St., and Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.
- 💰 Huge Savings: Save significantly on admission fees compared to buying individual tickets at the gate for each landmark.
- 🚌 Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: Includes a 1-day Big Bus sightseeing tour, making it easy to navigate the city and reach top districts without extra transport costs.
- 📱 Digital Convenience: No need for paper tickets; simply scan your digital pass from your smartphone at each attraction for seamless entry.
- ⏱️ Flexible Sightseeing: Choose a pass duration (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days) that fits your itinerary and explore the city at your own pace.
How to get to Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral is located in central Dublin, near the junction of Christchurch Place and Lord Edward Street, approximately a 15-minute walk from O’Connell Bridge. The nearest Luas stop is Four Courts (red line), from which the cathedral is around a 10-minute walk. Dublin Bus routes serving Dame Street and Lord Edward Street stop within a short walk of the entrance. The cathedral is not served by DART. Walking from Temple Bar takes approximately five minutes.
Parking at Christ Church Cathedral
There is no dedicated car park at Christ Church Cathedral. The closest public car parks are on Christchurch Place itself and at Jurys Inn on Christchurch Place. On-street parking in the surrounding area is limited and subject to pay-and-display restrictions. Given the central location, public transport or walking from elsewhere in the city centre is a more practical option for most visitors.
5 great Dublin experiences to book
- 🌊 Cliffs of Moher day tour: Take a day tour to the Cliffs of Moher, including the Wild Atlantic Way and Galway.
- 🚶 Dublin walking tour: Discover Dublin’s highlights and hidden gems on a city walking tour packed with stories.
- 📚 Book of Kells and castle tour: See key historic sites on a guided tour combining the Book of Kells and Dublin Castle.
- 🍺 Food and drink tour: Enjoy eight tastings on an indulgent walking tour.
- 🚤 River Liffey cruise: Take a sightseeing cruise along the River Liffey.
How long to spend at Christ Church Cathedral
Allow approximately one hour for a self-guided visit covering the nave, crypt, and Treasures of Christ Church exhibition. Visitors who join a guided belfry tour, which includes a bell-ringing experience, should add at least 45 minutes. Those combining the visit with Dublinia next door should allow a further 60–90 minutes. The cathedral also has a shop and café in the crypt, which may extend the visit.
Accessibility at Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral is a medieval structure and has some access limitations as a result. The cathedral’s official Access Welcome Guide provides detailed information on which areas are accessible. The entrance is step-free via a ramped approach, and the nave is accessible to wheelchair users. However, the crypt involves steps and some areas of the building are not accessible to visitors with limited mobility. The belfry, reached via a staircase, is not wheelchair accessible. Visitors with specific mobility requirements are encouraged to contact the cathedral in advance on +353 1 677 8099 to discuss their needs.
Inside Christ Church Cathedral: what to see
All self-guided visits include the nave, crypt, and the Treasures of Christ Church exhibition. The self-guided audio guide is available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Irish Sign Language (ISL), and audio description. Three different themes are available: ‘Power and Politics’, ‘Christ Church and the City’, and ‘Music and Spirituality’. Information leaflets are provided in 11 languages, including Chinese, Dutch, and Swedish.
The nave features a high vaulted ceiling and an original medieval tiled floor. Key artefacts on display include Strongbow’s tomb — the memorial to the 12th-century Norman lord Richard de Clare — and the heart of St. Laurence O’Toole, the patron saint of Dublin, preserved in a casket in the Chapel of St Laurence O’Toole.
The crypt, dating from the early 12th century, is the oldest surviving structure in Dublin and one of the largest medieval crypts in Ireland and Britain. It houses the Treasures of Christ Church exhibition, which includes a rare copy of the Magna Carta, manuscripts, and historic church silver, notably a royal plate given by King William III in 1697. The crypt also contains the famous mummified cat and rat — two animals believed to have become trapped together inside a cathedral organ pipe, and later preserved. A café and the cathedral gift shop are also located in the crypt.
The belfry, accessed via a guided tour only, houses 19 bells. Visitors on guided tours have the opportunity to ring one of the bells. Guided tours are available in English only and are not bookable online — enquire at the welcome desk on arrival for the daily schedule.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book online for a discount | Walk-in ticket prices are higher than online prices. Booking through the cathedral’s website before your visit will reduce the admission cost. |
| Arrive before 16:15 on weekdays | Last admission is 45 minutes before closing. Visitors arriving after 16:15 on weekdays or 14:15 on Sundays will not be admitted for a tour. |
| Check for service closures | The cathedral is a working place of worship and can close without advance notice for services or events. Check the website or call ahead, particularly for Sunday visits when public hours are limited to 12:30–15:00. |
| Ask about guided tours on arrival | Guided belfry tours and bell-ringing experiences are not available online. Enquire at the welcome desk when you arrive to find out the day’s tour schedule. |
| Photography is permitted | Personal photography inside the cathedral is allowed. Photography and filming are not permitted during services. Commercial photography or filming requires prior written permission from the cathedral office. |
| Children’s materials available | Children’s information leaflets in English are available at the welcome desk. A family ticket covering two adults and two children is available at a reduced rate. |
Frequently asked questions about Christ Church Cathedral
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Christ Church Cathedral? | Walk-ins are welcome, but booking online in advance is recommended as it provides a discount on the walk-in price. |
| Is Christ Church Cathedral open on Sundays? | Yes, but hours on Sunday are limited to 12:30–15:00, with last admission at 14:15. |
| Is Christ Church Cathedral suitable for children? | Yes. Children under 4 enter free, and a family ticket is available. Children’s leaflets are provided at the welcome desk. |
| Is Christ Church Cathedral wheelchair accessible? | Partially. The nave is accessible, but the crypt involves steps and the belfry is not wheelchair accessible. Contact the cathedral in advance to discuss specific requirements. |
| Is entry to Christ Church Cathedral free? | No. Admission is charged for all visitors except children under 4, disabled visitors, and accompanying carers. Free entry is included with the Go City Dublin Pass. |
| How do you get a discounted ticket for Christ Church Cathedral? | Book online in advance through the cathedral’s website, use a Dublin Pass (free entry), or use a DoDublin Days Out Card (40% discount). |
| Can you visit the crypt at Christ Church Cathedral? | Yes. Admission to the crypt and the Treasures of Christ Church exhibition is included with all standard self-guided tour tickets. |
| Is the bell-ringing experience available to all visitors? | Bell-ringing is only available on guided belfry tours. These are not bookable online — enquire at the welcome desk on arrival. |
| Is photography allowed at Christ Church Cathedral? | Photography for personal use is permitted. Photography is not allowed during services, and commercial photography requires written permission. |
Things to do near Christ Church Cathedral
Dublinia — directly adjacent to the cathedral, connected by a covered bridge. An interactive museum covering Viking and medieval Dublin history. Admission charged; combination tickets with Christ Church are available.
St Patrick’s Cathedral — approximately 500 metres south of Christ Church. The larger of Dublin’s two Church of Ireland cathedrals. The two cathedrals are easily combined in a half-day visit.
Dublin Castle — approximately 500 metres east. A complex of historic buildings including state apartments, the Chapel Royal, and the Chester Beatty Library.
Chester Beatty Library — located within Dublin Castle grounds. A free museum housing a significant collection of manuscripts, prints, and objects from Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum — located on Custom House Quay, approximately 25 minutes’ walk. An interactive museum tracing Irish emigration history. Admission charged.
More Dublin travel
Other Dublin travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Taste Ireland’s finest at the Guinness Storehouse Experience, the Jameson Distillery Bow Street and the Teeling Whiskey Distillery.
- Learn about life in the tenements at 14 Henrietta Street.
- What you’ll see at the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin.
- Enjoy the character-packed tours at the Little Museum of Dublin.
- Trace the tale of the Easter Rising at the GPO Museum.
