Church Bar, Restaurant & Attraction
| County: | Co. Dublin |
| Tel: | 353 1 8280102 |
| Fax: | 353 1 8280109 |
| Email: | reservations@thechurch.ie |
The beautifully restored former St. Mary’s Church is one of Dublin’s most popular Bar/Restaurant emporiums.
Each year over 600,000 visitors come to mingle with the local Dubliners to appreciate the art, history, architecture and luxury of this magnificent building.
Enjoy coffees, drinks, great Irish food and traditional Irish music beneath the beautiful stained glass window and the original Renatus Harris built organ (once played by Handel) or visit the burial crypt area in the basement to realise why The Church has established itself as a “must see” for visitors to the city centre.
Groups are catered for. Reservations are not required but are recommended for the Gallery restaurant.
See our website for more information
General Information
| Address: | Former St. Mary’s Church, Junction of Mary St. & Jervis St. Dublin 1 |
|---|---|
| Telephone; | 353 1 8280102 |
| Fax: | 353 1 8280109 |
| Email: | reservations@thechurch.ie |
| Website: | http://www.thechurch.ie |
| Location: | Junction of Mary St and Jervis St |
| Season: | All Year |
| Open Times: | Sep-Feb: 11.00-23.00 Mon to Sun Mar-Aug: 09.00-23.30 Mon to Sun |
| Tours: | Self-Guided/Guided by appointment |
| Booking Contact: | Una Connolly |
| Manager: | Darren Moore |
| Average Visit Length: | 1 hour |
| Entrance Fees: | Free Admission |
| Restaurant: | Bar Food & Gallery Restaurant |
| Picnic Area: | No |
| Information Guide: | English, French, German, Spanish & Italian |
| Coach Parking: | Yes |
| Group Booking Necessary: | No |
| Car Parking: | Yes |
| Disabled Access/Parking: | Yes |
Dining at The Church
The Church is split into two dining areas. The Ground Floor is a café bar serving an extensive barfood menu from 12am - 9pm Monday to Saturday. The café also serves a selection of teas and coffees and homemade pastries from opening to close.
The stunning Gallery restaurant opens from 5pm daily, offering both a la Carte and Early Bird menus, with a mix of classic Irish Cuisine and European dishes.
The Church's History
The former St. Mary's Church of Ireland is one of the earliest examples of a galleried church in Dublin. Built at the beginning of the 18th century, it boasts many outstanding features, such as the Renatus Harris built organ and spectacular stained glass window.
St. Mary's closed in 1964 and lay derelict for a number of years until it was purchased by John Keating in 1997. Following extensive restoration over a seven year period, this List 1 building finally re-opened its doors in December 2005 as John M. Keating’s Bar. The tasteful conversion and refurbishment of this Dublin landmark was acknowledged at the Dublin City Neighbourhood Awards 2006, where it won first prize in the category of Best Old Building.
In September 2007 the building was acquired by new owners and renamed “The Church Bar & Restaurant” and its range of services was expanded to include a Café, Juice Bar, Night Club and a Barbeque area on the terrace. The minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands has classified the building as one of intrinsical historical interest.
Important historical figures associated with St. Mary's include:
Arthur Guinness - Founder of Guinness Brewery was married here in 1761.
Sean O'Casey - Playwright & Author of ‘The Plough & The Stars, "Juno & The Paycock' & ‘The Shadow of a Gunman' was baptised here in 1880.
Theobald Wolf Tone - United Irishmen Founder was baptised here in 1763.
John Wesley – Founder of the Methodist Church delivered his first Irish sermon here in 1747.
George Frederic - Handel’s Messiah was first publicly performed in Dublin in April 1742 on Fishamble Street and it is known that he regularly used the organ here to practice.
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