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Dublin · Mysteries & legends

Mummies, a stolen heart and a cat in the organ

Dublin's strangest side lies on both banks of the Liffey: a crypt that mummifies its dead, the tavern that claims to be Ireland's oldest, a saint's heart stolen and recovered, the door behind a well-known saying and the relics of St Valentine. Best walked towards dusk, finishing near the pubs where you can have dinner.

  • 5 stops
  • 2 km
  • 1 h 30 min
  • Free
Start with GPS Read about this stop 1
St Patrick's Cathedral seen from the park, with its tower and spire

The route

Stop by stop

  1. 1 St Michan's ChurchA plain-looking church whose vaults preserved bodies naturally for centuries.
  2. 2 The Brazen HeadThe sign says 1198; the records say 1613. In between there are rebels, highwaymen and the odd ghost.
  3. 3 Christ Church CathedralA cat and a rat trapped in an organ pipe, Strongbow's broken tomb and a saint's heart stolen in 2012.
  4. 4 St Patrick's CathedralA legendary well of St Patrick, a door with a hole that gave English a saying, and the tomb of Jonathan Swift.
  5. 5 Whitefriar Street ChurchBehind a modest front on a busy street lie relics attributed to St Valentine.

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Start with GPS

Guide mode

Walk it with GPS.

Open guide mode on your phone: you’ll see your position and the distance to each stop, and we’ll let you know when you arrive. Then read or listen.

Start with GPS

  1. Turn on your location

  2. Walk to the spot

  3. Check the photo and listen

What you’ll discover

Mummies, a stolen heart and a cat in the organ

Crypts and relics

Mummies, a medieval heart and remains attributed to St Valentine.

Record and legend

We separate what is proven from what the city has been telling for centuries.

Details you'd miss

A door with a hole in it, a cat and a rat, a sign reading 1198: where to look.

Keep exploring

More routes in Dublin

Back to Dublin
HistoryFrom Vikings to the Republic: eight centuries on foot MixedBridges, pubs and Georgian squares: Dublin's highlights

Itineraries

How many days do you have in Dublin?

We’ve planned it day by day for you: which routes to walk and in what order, what else to see and where to eat.

1

Dublin in 1 day

All three routes in one full day: the highlights, the history and the legends at dusk.

See the itinerary 2

Dublin in 2 days

A gentler pace: the three routes over two days, plus extra sights and where to eat.

See the itinerary 3

Dublin in 3 days

The city in depth: one route a day, extra museums and neighbourhoods, and a day for good food.

See the itinerary