OPW Tour: St Audoen’s Church – Exploring Dublin’s Oldest Medieval Parish Church and Its Park

Tour guide Paula will tell you about the history of St. Audoen’s Church and its connection with St. Audoen’s Park.

St Audoen’s Church is one of Dublin’s oldest surviving medieval buildings, dating back to around 1190. Located in the heart of The Liberties, it was originally built by Anglo-Norman settlers and named after St Ouen (Audoen), a 7th-century bishop from Rouen. The church stands near St Audoen’s Arch, the last remaining gateway of the old city walls, and once served as a key parish for merchants, craftspeople and guilds, closely tied to the working life of the area. Inside, it retains remarkable medieval features including original stonework, timber roof structures and historic tombs of prominent Dublin families, as well as the famous “Lucky Stone,” believed to grant wishes. Today, the church functions both as a place of worship and a heritage site managed by the OPW, offering a rare glimpse into over 800 years of Dublin’s history.