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A homeless Jesus sleeps on a bench at Christ Church Cathedral


Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral or the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is the oldest cathedral in Dublin. Founded around 1030 by the Hiberno-Norse, it has welcomed worshippers for nearly a millennium. It it is the mother church of the Church of Ireland United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough. The roof, the south nave and west walls collapsed in 1562. It was extensively rebuilt in the 1870s with Victorian Gothic features. 



Nave
The central nave is framed by pointed arched walls on which sit stained glass windows. It's simple and uncluttered design leads the eye to the choir screen and the chancel beyond. Notice the leaning wall on the left which inclines by 18 inches. The tomb of Strongbow, the leader of the Anglo-Normans who captured Dublin in 1170, is on the right nave. 

Tiled Floor
Detail of the beautiful tiles that cover the Cathedral floor. There are well preserved medieval tiles in the Chapel of St. Laud which are the models of the tile flooring throughout the Cathedral. 

Crypt
The medieval crypt (c. 1172-1173) is the largest crypt in either Britain or Ireland and the oldest structure in Dublin. At 63 meters long, it runs the length of the church. The stone pillars support both the Cathedral and central tower. The crypt was restored in 2000. There are historical articles on display in the crypt as well as a café and gift shop.

Homeless Jesus
This poignant sculpture of a homeless Jesus lying on a bench on the grounds of the Cathedral is by Timothy Schmalz. The Archbishop of Dublin at the dedication and blessing of this sculpture referred to the scripture passage which says, "The Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."

There is an entrance fee of 6€ for adults and 2€ for children. Check the Cathedral website for updated info on opening hours and guided tours. www.christchurchdublin.ie. The Cathedral is served by buses (dublinbus.ie) and is stop 11 of the Dublin Sightseeing bus tour (dublinsightseeing.ie)

*****

Images by TravelswithCharie


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