Overview
St James Church of Ireland sits at the quiet end of James’s Street in Dublin 8, just a short walk from St James’s Gate and the river Liffey. The building’s 1859 Gothic façade still commands the streetscape, but inside, the space has been carefully adapted to serve a very different purpose. Today, the former parish church operates as Pearse Lyons Distillery and a visitor centre, blending Victorian ecclesiastical architecture with Dublin’s modern craft spirit scene and its medieval pilgrimage heritage.
A Layered History
The site’s religious origins predate the current building by centuries. A hospital for pilgrims was first established on nearby Lazar’s Hill around 1220, and the parish was formally separated from St Catherine’s in 1710. Following the Reformation, the church came under the Church of Ireland, though during the Penal Era it briefly served a multi-denominational congregation.
The stone structure visitors see today was designed by architect Joseph Welland and completed in 1859. It replaced earlier buildings and featured a prominent steeple until lightning struck it in 1949. Worship continued until 1963, after which the building lay largely empty for fifty years.
The adjoining graveyard once held roughly 100,000 interments, making it one of Dublin’s most significant historic cemeteries. Notable burials include 17th-century Catholic Bishop Conor O’Devany, Sir Toby Butler (Solicitor General), 18th-century courtesan Peg Plunket, architect Sir John Trail, Easter Rising volunteer John J O’Grady, and early Guinness brewery owner Sir Mark Rainsford. Dublin City Council acquired the cemetery in 2010 and is gradually restoring it for public access, though it remains closed to general visitors. The perimeter walls still display several restored monuments, including the Latin-inscribed slab of Sir Theobald Butler.
The Distillery & Visitor Experience
In 2013, Inchicore-born Dr Pearse Lyons purchased the disused church and began converting it into a small-batch Irish whiskey distillery. The project deliberately preserved the building’s historic fabric: the nave remains largely untouched, allowing visitors to walk beneath the original arches while watching copper stills operate in the background.
Guided tours trace the whiskey-making process from grain to glass and include tastings of the distillery’s core range. The visitor centre also hosts rotating exhibitions on Dublin’s brewing history and the adaptive reuse of sacred buildings. Tours are fee-based, with reduced rates available for students and groups. Because the experience involves alcohol tastings, visitors must be 18 or over.
Pilgrimage & The Camino
Dublin has long served as a departure point for Irish pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela, and St James Church now officially supports that tradition. The Camino Society of Ireland runs a passport office in the sacristy, where walkers can obtain an Irish Camino passport and receive their first stamp.
In March 2025, a new statue of St James (Santiago) was installed in the Camino Chapel. Sculpted by Galician artist Armando Martínez – a Knight of the Order of the Camino de Santiago – the piece draws inspiration from the 11th-century Romanesque figure in the Pórtico de la Gloria at Santiago’s cathedral. It was unveiled by Manuel Mirás Franqueira, Honorary President of the Asociación de Concellos do Camiño Inglés, reinforcing the church’s role as a modern gateway for both the Celtic Camino and Camino Inglés routes.
Practical Information
- Transport: Dublin Bus routes 13, G1, G2, S2, and 123 stop within a two-minute walk. The Red Luas line serves James St station, and Heuston Station is a five-minute stroll south. Dublin Bikes stations are located at both the front and rear of the building.
- Distillery Tours: Opening times vary by season. Check the Pearse Lyons website for current schedules and booking requirements.
- Camino Passport Office: Open Monday & Tuesday 9:00–12:00, and Thursday 10:30–12:00.
- Accessibility: The main visitor area and distillery floor are wheelchair accessible. The historic nave retains its original stone steps.
- Cemetery Access: The graveyard is currently closed to the public. Community clean-up days are held annually, and the site can be viewed from James’s Street.
- Contact: For enquiries, email jamesstreet@dublindiocese.ie or call 01 453 1143.
Nearby Attractions
James’s Street sits in one of Dublin’s most compact heritage zones. A five-minute walk south brings you to the Guinness Storehouse and its rooftop Gravity Bar, while the Arthur Guinness Heritage Bar offers a quieter, museum-style look at the brewery’s founding era. The modern Roe & Co distillery and the James’s Street park are also within easy walking distance.
Book distillery tours at least a week in advance during peak summer months, and plan to arrive before noon if you need a Camino passport stamp, as the office closes early.