Places to visit: Historical

Trinity College

Trinity College Dublin

Dublin A to Z, Exhibitions, Historical, Libraries

Trinity College Dublin  was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I and is an atmospheric 40-acre site in the heart of the city. Treasures on view include the Book of Kells; the Books of Durrow and Armagh; and an early Irish harp. All are displayed in the Treasury and the Old Library/Long Room (which houses 200,000 rare books).

The Book of Kells is Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure and is the world’s most famous medieval manuscript. The 9th Century book is a richly decorated copy of the four Gospels of the life of Jesus Christ.  A must-see is the  Book of Kells “Turning Darkness into Light” exhibition.

Enjoy student-led walking tours through the four historical squares of the campus. Lasting 45 minutes, the tour provides visitors with an insight into the more than 400-year history of the College, its buildings, its traditions and its life today.  All of the guides are knowledgeable and enthusiastic students of Trinity College Dublin.

Opening Hours:
Apr to Sept –
Mon to Sat: 8:30am – 5pm
Sunday: 9:30am to 5pm
Oct to Mar –
Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 5pm
Sunday: 12pm – 4.30pm
Online booking is strongly recommended for the Book of Kells and entry is timed.

Contact & Pricing:
visittrinity.ie
[email protected]
Tel: 01 896 1000
Trinity Library, College Street, Dublin 2
Trinity Trails Campus Tour only – Adults €16; concessions
Book of Kells and Old Library – Adults €19; concessions
Book of Kells/Old Library and Trinity Campus Tour – Adults €33.50; concessions

Viking Splash

Viking Splash

Dublin A to Z, For Kids, Historical, Tours

The Viking Splash is a pretty unique land and water tour of Dublin. Featuring engaging tour guides and authentic World War II military amphibious vehicles which go on both land and water, this is a deservedly popular tour. Entering the sea at Grand Canal Harbour is a spectacular experience.

The route takes in most of the major sights in the south city (Trinity College, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Viking/Medieval/Georgian Dublin, Government buildings, Dublin Docklands). The vehicle is open-sided so expect to get a little wet.

Opening Hours:
Jun to Sept: 10am – 6.30pm
Tours run every 30 minutes.

Tour availability varies the rest of the year.
Advance booking is strongly advised.

Departure point – St. Stephens Green North (directly opposite Starbucks / Dawson Street).

Contact & Pricing:
vikingsplashdublin.ie
[email protected]
Tel: 01 224 3852
Adults €35; concessions (Prices vary between high and low seasons)

War Memorial Garden

War Memorial Gardens

Dublin A to Z, Gardens, Historical

These gardens are one of the most famous memorial gardens in Europe. They are dedicated to the memory of 49,400 Irish soldiers who died in the 1914 – 1918 war. The names of all the soldiers are contained in the beautifully illustrated Harry Clarke manuscripts in the granite book rooms in the gardens.

These gardens are not only a place of remembrance but are also of great architectural interest and beauty. They are one of four gardens in this country designed by the famous architect Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944). The others are Heywood Gardens, Lambay Island and Howth Castle.

Sunken rose gardens, herbaceous borders and extensive tree planting make for an enjoyable visit to the gardens in any season.

Opening Hours:
Opens at – Mon to Fri: 8am, Sat & Sun 10am
Closes – varies according to daylight hours

 Free guided tours may be available, contact the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre for details.

Contact & Pricing:
heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/irish-national-war-memorial-gardens
[email protected]
[email protected]
Tel: 01 475 7816
South Circular Rd, Islandbridge, Dublin 8
Admission free

Architecture Tours-Henrietta St

Architecture Tours

Dublin A to Z, Historical, Tours

Architecture Tours Ireland is a joint enterprise between the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland and the Irish Architecture Foundation. The group organises informative walking tours of Dublin’s built environment.

Public architecture tours are unavailable for the foreseeable future (as of September 2023).
In the past, four tours took place every weekend – the Temple Bar tour, the Docklands tour, the Living City tour and the Georgian tour – but now group tours are arranged by prior appointment only (minimum of 15 persons, maximum of 25 persons). The cost is roughly €11.50 per person.

Contact:
riai.ie/discover-architecture/architecture-tours
Tel: 01 6761703

Trinity College

Big Bus Tours (City Sightseeing) Hop On Hop Off Tour

Dublin A to Z, Historical, Tours

Multiple ticket types and tour packages are available, which can be valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours.

Scheduling:
The main “Red Route”, runs every 15 – 20mins from 9am – 5.00pm, 7 days a week.
Starting at the tour office on O’Connell Street, there are 23 stops at major tourist attractions across the city centre.
Ticket holders can get on/off a bus at any stop during the operating hours.

All buses have live English speaking guides, and pre-recorded audio guides in 8 different languages. A guided walking tour is included with all tickets.

Some tickets include additional night and/or coastal tours, which are not “hop-on, hop-off”, and must be booked in advance. These tours can also be booked separately on their own.

Schedules may be altered occasionally, it is advised to download the free app, or check the latest service information for any schedule updates.

Contact & Pricing:
bigbustours.com/en/dublin/dublin-bus-tours
Tel: 01 531 1711
Big Bus Tours, 13 Upper O’Connell Street, Dublin 1
Adults from €32 (discount if booked online); concessions

Bram Stoker

Dublin Bus Ghost Tour

Dublin A to Z, Entertainment, Historical, Tours

Join the world’s first and most terrifying Ghostbus Tour and discover the darker side to Dublin City. The Ghostbus Tour brings to life the tales of horrors that shocked Dubliners back in the day.

Visit the scenes of these most horrendous acts and allow your storyteller to bring you these stories in sinister detail. Delve into the medieval vault at Dublin Castle and visit the most haunted vault in the city. Learn about the sinister Dublin surgeon Dr Clossey and explore the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s legendary character Dracula.

The Ghostbus Tour is a theatrical experience involving professional actors. The tour is ideal for anyone interested in Dublin’s dark history, ghost stories and having  a fun outing. The bus itself is an incredible venue with creepy maze like corridors and stairs below leading up to a stark Victorian theatre above.

Scheduling:
Operating days vary monthly, but usually does not run on Wednesdays or Sundays. Check the website for current schedule.
Tours depart at 7pm and 9.30pm from Dublin Bus, 59 Upper O’Connell Street, Dublin. Arrive 15 minutes before the departure time.

Tour is part walking tour and runs under most weather conditions, appropriate attire is required.

The tour lasts two hours and is not suitable for children under 14 years, or people with a sensitive disposition.

Advance booking is recommended, especially during peak periods.

Contact & Pricing:
ghostbus.ie
[email protected]
Tel: 01 703 3028
Tickets: €35

Georgian Doors

Dublin Bus “Do Dublin” Sightseeing Tour

Dublin A to Z, Historical, Tours

The Dublin Bus “Do Dublin” Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Tour allows you to see the city’s essential attractions in a 105-minute tour with live commentary.

Scheduling:
Runs 7 days a week with the first bus starting at O’Connell Street at 9am.Last bus departs from Stop 1 (59 Upper O’Connell Street) at 5pm, or 7pm from May – Oct.
Buses run every 15 – 30 mins.

The full route takes approximately 105mins (depending on traffic congestion) and has 25 stops at the most popular tourist attractions in the city centre. Ticket holders can enter or exit any DoDublin Tour bus at any of the 25 stops for as long as their ticket is valid (24 or 48 hours from first use).

All buses have English speaking tour guides, as well as pre-recorded multilingual tours in 9 languages.

Please note, most buses are open top, so you may be exposed to the elements if the bus is near capacity.

Operated by Dublin Bus, a state-owned transport company. Tickets are not valid on regular Dublin Bus routes, or other similar “hop-on, hop-off” tour bus services.

Booking in advance online is highly recommended, as there are several ticket types and discounted packages, with special offers available, such as free museum or children’s bus tickets.

Contact & Pricing:
dublinsightseeing.ie/dublin-sightseeing-tour-bus/citytour
[email protected]
Tel: 01 844 4265
Dublin Bus Head Office, 59 Upper O’Connell Street, Dublin 1
Adults from €32; concessions

Dublin Literary Pub Crawl

Dublin Literary Pub Crawl

Dublin A to Z, Entertainment, Historical, Tours

The Dublin Literary Pub Crawl brings the gossipy literary scene of Dublin to life. Of Dublin’s 850 licensed premises, its “literary pubs” have a special fame. Irish writers formerly patronised pubs like the Palace, McDaid’s, Mulligan’s and the Bailey to meet the journalists/literary editors of the Irish Times and the Irish Press. A team of actors leads you on a trail from bar to bar; no props, no lights, no make-up, just the voice and personality of the actor.

Scheduling:
Apr to Oct: 7.15pm, 7 days a week
Nov to Mar: 7.15pm, Thurs – Sun only
Tour lasts about 120 – 140mins and covers about 1km on foot.
A similar literary tour may be available on Mondays at 10.30am, but by request only.
Meet from 7pm upstairs in The Duke Pub. Food and drinks available in The Duke beforehand (not included in tour price).

Contact & Pricing:
dublinpubcrawl.com
[email protected]
Tel: 087 263 0270
9 Duke Street (off Grafton St), Dublin 2
Adults €18; concessions

Walks Miscellaneous

Free and Themed Walks

Dublin A to Z, Gardens, Historical, Tours

Self-guided and Community Walks:
Self-guided walking maps for various scenic areas in the south-east of the city are available to view or download from:
dublincity.ie/council/council-explained/your-area/south-east-area/south-east-area-walking-trails-maps-guides

Many local areas have regularly scheduled informal walking groups which are open to new members and guests.
To find a local community walking group visit:
getirelandwalking.ie/findgroup

Free Guided Walks in Phoenix Park:
There is a selection of free walking tours available in and around Phoenix Park.
Popular examples include the War Memorial Gardens and Grangegorman Military Cemetery (see below).
The scheduling of these tours is limited and subject to change.
Check the website below, or contact the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre for details and to confirm availability:
phoenixpark.ie/tours
[email protected]
Tel: 01 677 0095

Free Tours of War Memorial Gardens:
Free guided tours take place every Wednesday at 11am from 12th April to 25th October. No booking is necessary. The meeting point is inside the gates of the car park. Subject to change and weather permitting. For more information please contact the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre at [email protected] or on 01 677 0095.

Free Tours of Grangegorman Military Cemetery:
There are tours of Grangegorman Military Cemetery on Blackhorse Avenue (Dublin 7) from 13th April to 9th November on Thursdays at 11am. Walkers assemble inside the Cemetery Gates. Admission is free and all are welcome. Please wear suitable shoes and clothing. For further information, phone 01 677 0095.
comeheretome.com/grangegorman-military-cemetery

Themed Walking Tours:
Tasting, culinary, and food/fashion tours – fabfoodtrails.ie
Ghost walks and haunted history tours – hiddendublintours.com

About this site

Georgian Dublin Walking Tour

Dublin A to Z, Historical, Tours

The “Georgian Dublin Outdoor Walking Tour: Henrietta Street and Beyond” consists of a walk through Georgian Dublin, courtesy of the award-winning museum 14 Henrietta Street.

The tour begins on Henrietta Street, the first Georgian street in Dublin and the template from which all other Georgian streets followed. The tour charts the fortunes of the Gardiner Estate on Dublin’s Northside, stretching from Henrietta Street to Mountjoy Square, from its beginnings as the best address in town to its decline to tenement housing. It’s a story that mirrors the fortunes of Dublin City and many of its residents.

Visitors will learn about the man who built Henrietta Street, the ‘Jewel in the Georgian Crown’, the lavish lifestyles and social lives of families who lived there, including the Molesworths from number 14, and how one man’s vision and ingenuity created the world’s first maternity hospital.

2021 marked the 300 year anniversary of Henrietta Street, with the Gardiner family purchasing the land in 1721 and the development of the street starting soon after. The building of Henrietta Street marked the beginning of the golden age of Georgian Dublin when the cityscape was transformed into the one we see today. Taking visitors to some of Dublin’s most elite addresses and grand Georgian squares, the tour will explore the architectural and social history of the city and reveal the details of the lives lived behind the elegant red brick facades.

Scheduling:
Tours on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 11.30am and 2pm.
The tour sets out from 14 Henrietta Street and ends at the top of O’Connell Street.

Operated by 14 Henrietta Street Museum. The museum tour is not included in the ticket price, but there is a discount if booking both tours together.

Contact & Pricing:
14henriettastreet.ie/whats-on/georgian-walking-tour
[email protected]
Tel: 01 524 0383
14 Henrietta Street, Dublin 1
Adults €10; concessions