St. Michan's Church, Dublin
Tower of St. Michan's Church. Photo
Courtney Ferguson.
Interior with organ played by Handel. Photo
Courtney Ferguson.
Tunnel in the burial vaults. Photo © secret.kiwi.
Corpses in the crypt. Photo © secret.kiwi.
Location map and aerial view of St. Michan's Church. For a larger interactive view, see our Dublin Map.
St. Michan's Church in Dublin is best known for its ancient Viking origins, 18th-century organ, and well-preserved corpses on display in the crypt.
History
Built on the site of a Danish chapel founded in 1095, St. Michan's Church was for centuries the only parish church on this side of the River Liffey. It was built to serve the Viking population expelled from within the city walls. Rebuilt in 1685 and restored in 1998, St. Michan's now belongs to the Protestant Church of Ireland.
What to See
The interior of St. Michan's is notable for its fine woodwork, a large organ from 1724 on which Handel is said to have played his Messiah (it is one of the oldest still in use in Ireland), a Penitent's Stool, and a chalice dating from 1516. The pulpit and font date from the 18th century.
But the main highlight for most visitors is the burial vault underneath the church. Because of the dry atmosphere created by its limestone walls, centuries-old bodies interred here remain remarkably intact.
Guided tours lead visitors into a stone tunnel lined with burial chambers, where some of the dusty corpses can be admired in their open coffins. Among these are a nun, a man missing a hand and both feet, and a Crusader who had to be sawn in half to fit into the coffin. Legend has it that Bram Stoker's Dracula was inspired in part by the author's childhood visits to this macabre vault.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | St. Michan's Church |
| Dedicated to: | St. Michan |
| Location: | Dublin, Ireland |
| Category: | Churches |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Original/Primary: Danish Current/Secondary: Church of Ireland |
| Status: | active |
| Date: | Founded 1095; rebuilt 17th century |
| Features: | Dead on Display; Crypt |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 53.347458° N, 6.275414° W (view on Google Maps) |
| Address: | Church Street, Dublin, Dublin, Ireland |
| Phone: | 01/872-4154 |
| Hours: | Nov-Feb: Mon-Fri 12:30-2:30pm, Sat 10am-1pm Mar-Oct: Mon-Fri 10am-12:45pm and 2-4:45pm, Sat 10am-1pm |
| Tours: | Guided tour of church and vaults: Mon-Fri 10-12:45, 2-4:45, Sat 10-12:45 |
| Cost: | Free admission to church; Guided tour: €3.50 adults, €3 seniors and students, €2.50 children under 12 |
| Photography: | Permitted |
| Services: | Sundays 10am |
| Public transport: | Bus: 134 from Abbey St. |
Travel Resources for Dublin
- Dublin Map - our detailed interactive map of Dublin, plus hand-picked links to more
- Dublin Guided Tours - book sightseeing tours and activities in Dublin
- Dublin Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, then book at the guaranteed lowest rate
- Dublin Hostels - reserve budget lodgings with no booking fees
- Dublin Car Rentals - get the lowest rate by comparing multiple car companies at a glance
- Dublin Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Dublin tourism
Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- St Michan's Church - Frommer's Ireland
- The Mummies of St. Michan's - Suzanne Barrett, Ireland for Visitors
- St Michan's Church of Ireland - Archiseek
Article last updated: 04/28/2009.
