Religion

The Catholic Church remains a powerful and influential institution in Ireland today, though they would be the first to admit that their moral authority is not as universally accepted as it was in times past. And, while the majority of Irish people declare themselves Catholic, in Dublin that majority is receding as a young, outward-looking population comes in increasing contact with international cultural influences. The Protestant community in the Republic is relatively influential for its size - Protestants make up approximately 4% of the population - and in the Dublin cathedrals of St Patrick and Christ Church they have two of the finest religious buildings on the entire island.