St. Michan's Church
St. Michan's Church
4.5
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
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10:00 - 12:45, 14:00 - 16:45
Monday
10:00 - 12:45
14:00 - 16:45
Tuesday
10:00 - 12:45
14:00 - 16:45
Wednesday
10:00 - 12:45
14:00 - 16:45
Thursday
10:00 - 12:45
14:00 - 16:45
Friday
10:00 - 12:45
14:00 - 16:45
Saturday
10:00 - 12:45
About
Underneath the church are five long burial vaults containing the mummified remains of many of Dublin's most influential 17th, 18th and 19th century families, including the legendary Shears brothers and the highly decorated coffins of the Earl's of Leitrim. Since Victorian times visitors have descended the vault steps to see the mummies and Bram Stoker, creator of the "Dracula" stories is believed to have visited the vaults in the company of his family. In one vault can be seen the remains of the "Crusader" though in fact he is only 650 years dead. The early visitors to the vaults were responsible for many of the myths and legends surrounding the bodies, though modern scientific investigations have cast doubts on many of these stories. Nevertheless, a visit to the Crypts to see the historic mummies is a remarkable experience.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: North City Centre
How to get there
- Four Courts • 2 min walk
- Smithfield • 3 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
1,352 reviews
Excellent
878
Very good
358
Average
77
Poor
25
Terrible
14
John L
Grand Bend, Canada2,026 contributions
Oct 2022
Sadly, no tours were available when I visited in October, but the self-guided 'outdoor tour' was worth the visit. St Michans was founded in 1095. Bram Stoker allegedly visited the crypts, while another legend claims that Handel practiced on the pipe organ before his first performance of the Messiah. Not too sure about either claim, but I know I'd like to re-visit St Michans when the tours are operating again.
Written 20 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Garreth F
Celbridge, Ireland5 contributions
Jan 2023
I bring a school group of teenagers to visit the crypts each year and Peter is always very good with them. Pitches the info at an appropriate level even though he could impart hours of brilliant insights and anecdotes.
Good fun!
Good fun!
Written 17 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
daz1967Stockport
Stockport, UK335 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
Spooky tour under the Church, great guide, interesting history and eerie seeing the ancient corpses and listening to the stories
Written 8 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
abkell
Sharon, MA37 contributions
Dec 2022
Visited the church and crypt and while the sights were interesting the stories and historical background of the "tour guide" were the best part. It is a somber experience seeing the mummified remains.
Written 27 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Brian M
Brisbane, Australia2 contributions
Jan 2022
I was advised, "We have never met a McMichan before, I was shown all about, including the cellar with ancient coffins (open)
Written 14 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
beachcomber_ireland
Dingle, Ireland50 contributions
Nov 2022
Lovely 17th century church with ancient crypts underneath.
Very entertaining tour guide but mind your head!
Very entertaining tour guide but mind your head!
Written 19 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Amanda M
5 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
This church and grounds are steeped in history. At the beginning of the tour you get the opportunity to look around the church on your own and then the tour guide takes you into the crypts. I hate to say it, but looking at the "mummies" was fascinating! I definitely will be coming back and I highly recommend this tour to anyone.
Written 11 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nathalie B
Hoofddorp, The Netherlands39 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Walked for an hour to visit and realized that it was exceptionally closed. No mention of it on the websites or tour companies. Really shameful.
Written 15 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dawnie2
Wolverhampton 38 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Great little tour and very informative tour guide. Knew how to work the crowd with his story telling, however also kept it respectful as still used by families for interments today.
Cost €7 each so not as cheap as you would expect, however money collected goes towards the upkeep of the church. We was taken into two crypts and different artefacts explained including the mummies, execution orders and death mask. Must do in Dublin, if looking for the unusual and minimal touristy spots.
Cost €7 each so not as cheap as you would expect, however money collected goes towards the upkeep of the church. We was taken into two crypts and different artefacts explained including the mummies, execution orders and death mask. Must do in Dublin, if looking for the unusual and minimal touristy spots.
Written 23 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Forest fans
1 contribution
Aug 2022
Great visit to St. Michan's church and crypt. Interesting tour, the guide was brilliant, highly entertaining.
Written 15 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Steptoad
United Kingdom289 contributions
Are the crypts reopened? If so, what time can we enter? Cannot find any tour time information anywhere
jshields2004
Taunton, MA1 contribution
Does anyone know if the Church will be open for tours on New Years Eve day?
Fox Talbot
19 contributions
Hang on - let me call them and ask for you.
On the other hand - why don’t you do that for yourself?
I’ve read that you used to be able to touch the hand of the mummy referred to as “the crusader” for “good luck,” but not since a vandalism around February 2019. Does anyone know if you are still allowed to touch the mummy?
NoleNation
London, UK33 contributions
Visited a few weeks ago and to echo others: mummies not on display and definitely no touching.
LadyPhedre
Fort Collins, CO8 contributions
I'm having trouble finding out how much the tour is. Does anyone know the current tour price? Thank you!
Teresa742
Courtice, Canada50 contributions
I think it was 3 or 4 Euros. Call them first to make sure they have a tour guide available because I waited 1-1/2 hrs. but he never showed up so I didn't get to see the crypt..
Gwen S
1 contribution
Hello we will be in Dublin Saturday the 9 September 2017 do we just turn up .. because we can't give an exact time due to flight arrival... thx
Jeff M
Auckland, New Zealand374 contributions
Yep we just turned up, had a look around the church while we waited for the next tour and we were good.
MichelleMoore84
London, UK219 contributions
Hello Travelling to Ireland next week and looking to visit the church. I understand tours are 6e but just wondering are there tours throughout the day and what time the last one of the day is? Also, are there bathroom facilities on site?
Richmond G
Melbourne, Australia276 contributions
Yes, there are tours throughout the day, never any formal times, just present yourself at the door and ask, you might have to wait no more than 30 minutes for a tour to start. Not sure when they close.
MonicaWelke
Burlington, WI130 contributions
did you book a tour ( if so - which one and how much ) - or was the guide provided with the tour ?
thanks - we will be there in April and thought this would be interesting.
Jon L
Olathe, KS242 contributions
No, we just showed up during hours they were open and paid a gentleman the fee and waited in the pretty church for a tour guide, who showed up eventually. This operation is very informal, but I imagine the fees we curious travelers pay probably support this church. I enjoyed seeing the crypts and hearing the stories.
sethacke
6 contributions
Is there an alternate email for contacting St. Michan's about the tours? I tried the address given on their website - stmichan[@]iol[.]ie (apparently, you can't actually type the actual address into a TripAdvisor question) - but it doesn't appear to be working. Ultimately, I'm trying to determine what times the tours would typically be available on Monday, March 6.
Dee D
Tampa, FL57 contributions
Sorry no.
MichelleMoore84
London, UK219 contributions
Hello I am right in thinking tours are mondays and sat only, no other days of the week? I am only around sat - mon in a few weeks but would really like a visit. Also is it tours throughout these days or specific times? thanks
mcellis31
Delray Beach, FL19 contributions
Website shows tours are Mon-Fri this time of year.
If I recall correctly times were dependent on interest - so you could show up anytime during designated hours.
Hope this helps. Sorry TripAdvisor not allowing me to post link. Google " st Michans church Dublin" for details
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St. Michan's Church, Dublin - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about St. Michan's Church
- St. Michan's Church is open:
- Mon - Fri 14:00 - 16:45
- Mon - Sat 10:00 - 12:45
- We recommend booking St. Michan's Church tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 6 St. Michan's Church tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near St. Michan's Church:
- (0.18 km) Hampton by Hilton Dublin City Centre
- (0.13 km) LIVStudent Dublin
- (0.20 km) Generator Dublin
- (0.29 km) Maldron Hotel Smithfield
- (0.37 km) The Hendrick Smithfield
- Restaurants near St. Michan's Church:
- (0.22 km) Sparks
- (0.25 km) Urbanity
- (0.21 km) Third Space Smithfield
- (0.15 km) Christophe's
- (0.16 km) The Village Inn