The tour begins outside St John’s Church, taking in its striking granite and sandstone façade and looking up towards its spire, reputedly the highest in Dublin. Built by the Meade family building company, whose workers included prominent Fenians, the church became known locally as the “Fenian Church”.

Inside, discover the vast French Gothic interior, described by John Ruskin on its completion as a “poem in stone”. The tour explores the church’s remarkable collection of stained glass, sculpture, mosaics and paintings, with a particular focus on works by Irish artists. The tour concludes with a closer look at the church’s magnificent Victorian pipe organ.

These tours are drop-in and on a first come basis. Please meet Open House volunteers at the meeting point outside the front entrance of the church on Thomas Street.

The church is wheelchair accessible and prams/buggies and assistance dogs all welcome. Located on the ground floor only, the tour will follow a circular route around the Church.