A taste of medieval times in the middle of a modern downtown, Dublin Castle served as the seat of British rule in Ireland for over seven centuries. Although it remains part of a major government complex, the castle now mostly serves as a venue for ceremonial events, such as the inauguration of the country's president. Transformed over the ages from a medieval fortress to a Georgian palace, the castle complex contains an 800-year-old tower, the sole survivor of the original fortifications built on this spot in the early 13th century. Take a guided tour to see the gardens built over a site once occupied by a black pool, the "dubh inn" from which the city of Dublin got its name. To visit Dublin Castle and other attractions in Dublin, use our Dublin travel planner.
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Tours to Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle reviews
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This was a great tour that was very informative about Irish history. The name is a little mis-leading. The "castle" part of the building is very small, although you are allowed to walk into it... more »
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This is very accessible to the public, and an imposing place to stroll around. It was the administrative centre of the British occupation, so don't expect a medieval castle. There is a simple... more »
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The Dublin Castle is gone. There isn't much to see here. Walk by it, check out the garden behind it and stop at Chester Beatty Museum. But don't think there's much to see with the castle. more »
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Christmas at the Castle was just fabulous. Great for families and something for everybody. I loved the Neapolitan Crib in the Chapel Royal. The State Rooms are spectacular. When it was getting dark the Court yard and stalls were amazing. The vibe was brilliant.
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I visited the Christmas Market at Dublin Castle, I loved the whole experience, it was evening time so the lights were on and the Choir were singing, the atmosphere was great and the State Rooms of the Castle were open to the public for free after 6pm. The State Rooms were fabulous and all decorated for Christmas. I would highly recommend a visit.
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A great castle with an enjoyable self-guided tour. We had a lovely two-hour visit here and would highly recommend. Lots of beautiful decor at the holidays. Fun Christmas market outside the front door.
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Very cool museum. So much history and you can spend hours wandering here. The exhibits do rotate somewhat, so it will always have something new.
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The tour guide was lively, personable and extremely knowledgeable. The structure itself was a living time lapse. You were taken from structures that existed before medieval times to ones being currently used. All in all wonderful.
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