The original St Andrew’s was a medieval church situated close to Dublin Castle. In the 1670s it was decided to relocate the church to serve the developing ‘suburb’ growing around Trinity College. Circular in shape, the new church became known as the Round Church. It was here in 1741 that the famous composer, George Frideric Handel gave one of his first concerts in Dublin during his 8-month stay.
Renowned Italian composer and violinist, Francesco Geminiani (who frequently visited Dublin in the 18th century) died in the city in 1762 and was buried at St Andrew’s. His remains, however, were later reinterred in the church of San Francisco in his native Lucca, Italy. He lies beside his compatriot, Luigi Boccherini, who like himself died abroad and was also later reinterred. Also buried here was Esther Vanhomrigh, former pupil of Jonathan Swift and called Vanessa in his writings.
The church was largely rebuilt in the 1790s and reopened again in 1807, still circular but in a more Georgian style. This building was burned down in 1860 and was rebuilt in the gothic form, just as we see today. Due to a falling local population St Andrew’s ceased being an Anglican church in1993 and was later sold. It became a tourist office until 2015. It is now proposed to turn it into a food hall.
