St. Michan's Church, Dublin

St. Michan's Church, Dublin

Originally built by those seafaring Vikings in 1095 to honor a Danish bishop, Saint Michan's Church received a substantial facelift around six centuries later. Adjacent to the church organ, which rumor has it was once tickled by the fingers of Handel himself, sits the unique Penitents' Pew, where repentant souls once knelt, facing the music, quite literally, to confess their misdeeds. But hold onto your hats, because the real showstopper here is underground!

Guided tours lead down an almost vertical staircase to explore tiny crypts filled with about a dozen mummified bodies, some dating back over 700 years. These bodies were preserved through a combination of factors: the limestone walls of the vaults soaking up natural moisture from the air, and methane produced by decaying vegetation beneath the floor. Among the mummies, one is believed to be a Crusader, another a nun, and even one poor soul missing a hand, possibly a repentant thief. Additionally, the crypt houses John and Henry Sheares, executed for their involvement in the 1798 Rebellion, along with the death mask of rebel leader Wolfe Tone. Oliver Bond and the Reverend William Jackson, two other rebels, rest in the church's graveyard, while some speculate that an unmarked grave in the rear holds the remains of Robert Emmet, leader of the 1803 uprising. Welcome to Saint Michan's—where even the dead can't escape the spotlight!

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Dublin. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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St. Michan's Church on Map

Sight Name: St. Michan's Church
Sight Location: Dublin, Ireland (See walking tours in Dublin)
Sight Type: Religious

Walking Tours in Dublin, Ireland

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