I grew up in a faith-infused household, and it’s served me well over my five-plus decades on the planet. However, my regular Sunday attendance wasn’t inside an old stone structure with stained-glass windows and a steeple. Perhaps that’s why I’m fascinated by the architecture, the history and the ambience many old cathedrals hold.

In Dublin most tourists are familiar with St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It gets top billing for its overall size, Royal Association and for being the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland. (The next time I’m in Dublin, I’ll definitely see it.) But because of time and tickets, my travel buddy and I opted for Christ’s Church Cathedral instead.

We were not disappointed.

As the oldest structure in Dublin, Christ’s Church Cathedral was founded around 1030 and sits within the walls of the original city. Experts note numerous renovations over several centuries cause the church to reflect a variety of medieval, Gothic and Victorian elements. Stained-glass windows and high-arching pillars are easy focal points, but the crazy number of colorful floor tiles are what caught my attention. Everywhere I turned, another picturesque opportunity involving the floor came to my eye. I also loved the brightly colored tiles against the cold, grey stone, blending a mix of new versus old.

As we explored the church, we also found our way to the crypt. One of the oldest and largest crypts in Britain and Ireland, Christ’s Church medieval crypt is a self-guided tour option. The focal point of the underground area is the 14th-century copy of the Magna Carta. The display highlights the significance of the Magna Carta and, specifically, its relevance to Ireland.

Seeing a handwritten, preserved manuscript of this level in person is a bit mind-blowing. I’m not sure I was adequately able to process the weight of its importance. However, I fully recognize and appreciate the ways in which our society exists today thanks to the premise written within. I took several photos, wasn’t spooked by any haunting spirits, and appreciated the fact the public could see such a marvelously ancient document housed in an equally aged space.

The exterior of Christ’s Church is also worthy of numerous photos. A 19th-century restoration from a whiskey distillery donor saved the cathedral but also shaped it toward a more Victorian direction. Dublin’s notoriously rainy and cloudy weather served as the perfect backdrop for my photos and will remain in my memory long term.

Again, I’m sure I’ll love St. Patrick’s Cathedral the next time I’m in Dublin. But for those of you planning your Irish itineraries, I’d highly recommend a scheduled stop at Christ’s Church Cathedral, as well.

— Carrie Cox, senior account executive