Overview
Three of St Audoen’s bells were cast in 1423, and they are the oldest church bells still rung in Ireland. That’s the headline fact about a small church on Cornmarket in Dublin’s Liberties that is also the city’s only medieval parish church still in use. Managed by the Office of Public Works, it works as both an active Church of Ireland parish and a heritage site with a free exhibition and free guided tours. There are, confusingly, two St Audoen’s side by side: this medieval Church of Ireland building, and the larger 19th-century Catholic church next door. The one to visit is the older, smaller one. The adjacent park, dedicated to the children of the 1916 Rising, is a quiet spot to sit before or after.
Walking through centuries of history
A 9th-century grave slab found on the site suggests an earlier church stood here, but the present stone building dates to between 1181 and 1212, dedicated to St Ouen (Audoen), the 7th-century bishop of Rouen and patron saint of Normandy. The nave and chancel were extended over the following decades, and a four-bay arcade added in the 14th century nearly doubled the interior; the original late-Romanesque doorway was moved to a recess at the western end during those same works. The most striking feature is the four-storey bell tower, added in the 15th century, which holds the three 1423 bells still rung weekly.
The church’s survival is bound up with the Guild of St Anne, founded in the parish in 1430, which financed altars and helped repair the tower after a gunpowder explosion on the nearby quays in 1597. Later restoration work, including that of architect Thomas Drew in 1866 and a major structural campaign in the 1980s, returned the bells to regular use. The interior preserves a long run of Dublin’s civic history, from a 12th-century Anglo-Norman font to elaborate 17th-century family monuments.
What to see and do
- The 1423 bells and tower – The three original bells, still rung weekly, hang in the 15th-century tower. Guides can often explain the mechanics of medieval bell ringing.
- Guild Chapel of St Anne exhibition – Housed in the former guild space, this award-winning display covers the church’s medieval role, Dublin’s trade guilds, and the papal bulls once proclaimed here. The most useful stop for making sense of how the medieval city was run.
- Portlester Tomb – The standout monument in the nave is the 15th-century effigial tomb of Sir Roland Fitz-Eustace, Lord Portlester, and his wife Margaret. The knight lies in full armour; Margaret rests beside him with a small dog at her feet, a rare and endearing touch in medieval funerary carving.
- The ‘Lucky Stone’ – In the main porch, this 9th-century gravestone has been rubbed by visitors since at least 1309, tradition holding that a rub with the right hand brings luck in trade or safe travel.
- Sparke and Duff memorials – 17th-century marble panels with intricate plasterwork and heraldic shields, reflecting the wealth of Dublin’s Restoration-era families.
- St Audoen’s Park – Just outside, this compact green space holds the last surviving medieval city gate, St Audoen’s Arch (c.1240), with sound stations that bring local history to life.
- Free guided tours – Running through the open season from 9:30 am to 4:45 pm, these 30-minute tours cover the bells, the guild and notable burials. No booking needed, but arrive a few minutes early.
If you’ve half an hour, take the free guided tour: it’s the quickest way to make sense of the building, and it’s what the visitor centre is set up to do well.
Practical information
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 27 March – 5 November 2026: daily 9:30 am – 5:30 pm. Last entry 4:45 pm. |
| Admission | Free |
| Guided tours | Every 30 minutes, 30-minute duration, free |
| Contact | +353 01 677 0088 • staudoenschurch@opw.ie |
| Website | heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/st-audoens-church-visitor-centre/ |
| Accessibility | Partial wheelchair access; steps at the main entrance. |
| Public transport | Dublin Bus routes serve the nearby quays and High Street; the Luas Red Line Four Courts stop is a short walk away. |
| Nearby attractions | Christ Church Cathedral (200 m), Dublin Castle (400 m), St Patrick’s Cathedral (800 m). |
Getting there – The church is on High Street, Cornmarket, Dublin 8 (D08 W99H). Enter through St Audoen’s Arch on the high-street side; the visitor centre entrance is set below street level and clearly signposted.
Seasonal note – The visitor centre is open only for the 2026 season above and closes over winter. The park stays open year-round, with longer hours in summer.
Exploring the Liberties beyond the church
St Audoen’s sits at the edge of Dublin’s medieval core, a good place to start a self-guided heritage walk. Five minutes away is Christ Church Cathedral, with the tomb of Strongbow and the city’s oldest surviving Romanesque work; continue east along High Street to reach Dublin Castle, the old administrative heart of the city.
Aim for a weekday morning to catch the guided tours without the weekend crowds. The tower is steep, so wear comfortable shoes, and the nave’s stone floors stay cold in winter. It remains a working parish, so a bit of quiet is appreciated during services.