40 Days, 40 Churches

Day 16: Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland

We visited here during our honeymoon, and in retrospect it's kind of funny to think that during our brief period in Dublin, the two churches we actually looked at were Protestant (though perhaps not surprising, given the long presence of Britain's official representatives in Dublin). Christ Church is one of two Anglican (or Church of Ireland) cathedrals in Dublin, which is an odd set up and one that has apparently led to some friction.

Christ Church is also still recognized by the Catholic church as the official seat of the archbishop of Dublin. He's been making do with another church for some time.

Three notable tourist points about the cathedral:

1. It's the resting place of Strongbow, a leading figure in the Norman invasion of Ireland and namesake of a tasty hard cider.

2. There's a 13th century crypt below the church that's open for touring. Nothing really gruesome, but some interesting historical items are on display down there.

3. By the choir there is a mummified cat and mouse on display. Apparently they were found in an organ pipe in the 1860s, mummified by the dry and airy conditions within. They are posed as if in chase, which suggests a somewhat disturbing episode of Itchy & Scratchy.