St Michan's Church, Dublin

~ ~ This ancient church dates back to the time of the Vikings in Ireland, and was built in 1095 in the old Viking settlement of Oxmantown on the north side of the River Liffey. St. Michan himself, after who the church is named, is thought to have been a Dublin Norseman, although the records in Christchurch Cathedral simply describe him as an ‘Irish saint and confessor’. After the Normans settled in Ireland, many of the old Vikings moved to this part of the city, although it’s not clear whether the move from their more established settlements on the south side of the river was ... more

This is the most amazing church in Dublin city – although it is quite hard to locate it is worth finding and if required ask a local person about it where abouts. The church its self is a basic building but it is what lies underneath the building that that is most breath taking – there is a number of vaults which have preserved bodies in them – this is one sight that you don’t see every day in a church – there is a nun and one body is believed to be thief who has had his hands and feet cut off as punishment for his crime. ... more

This is one of Dublin’s best tourist attractions. You may have to ask somewhere the location of this church but believe you me it is well worth asking about. It is in many aspects a plain church in comparison to some of the grander Cathedrals in the city but it has the most amazing history behind it. When I visited St Michan’s you where fit to travel down into the basement and see the most amazing preservation of bodies in the vaults – but I have recently learnt that you can no longer do so because of vandals – which is such a shame. ... more