St Patrick's Cathedral, in Central Dublin, honours Ireland's patron, who brought Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century. Late afternoon, the stained-glass windows shine brightly, and there are occasional choir rehearsals. Look out for 18th-century author Dean Jonathan Swift's grave.
The national cathedral of the Church of Ireland, it was the largest medieval church erected in Ireland. Its structure dates from 1191, with a major 19th-century restoration. Jonathan Swift was dean in the 18th century.
Its choir and that of Christ Church joined together in 1742 to give the world's first ever performance of Handel's Messiah.