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Dublin Castle
Rating Details »
Categories: Tours, Landmarks & Historical Buildings [Edit]
State Apartments Dame StreetDame Street
Dublin 2
(01) 6777129
6 reviews for Dublin Castle
If you're expecting a kind of 'turrets and all' ancient ruin, you may be slightly disappointed with the exterior or Dublin Castle. But the palace-style building standing today is literally just scratching the surface of a site that has been at the epicentre of wealth and power in Dublin for centuries.
The castle is still used as an official Government building so taking the guided tour is essential for access to the various rooms and their genuinely rich history, but in my opinion it's a few euros well spent. Your guide won't need to strive to name-drop dignitaries and events which have graced the castle walls and the tour concludes underground with an impressive look at some of the castles original stone features.
The critical difference in a visit to Dublin Castle compared to some of the city's other tourist hotspots, is that cheesy Irishy-Irishness is confined to the gift shop and rarely sprinkled throughout the tour (apart from a few obligatory anecdotes, but sure we'll forgive that). This makes the visit palatable and interesting to tourists and natives alike... maybe even those from beyond The Pale.
As long as your not being hauled in front of a tribunal, Dubin Castle is a great place to visit! With lots to see and do.
You really don't get more historic and imposing then this and it really is the center of Dublin. Dating from the 1200's, most of todays castle is a collection of 18th century buildings, the exception being the record tower which dates from 1228. A trip into the upper yard is a must see for the castle in all its splendor.
Theres a small charge of €4.50 for a guided tour, which includes the state apartments, or the chapel royal and the crypt if they're not available. If you don't want to do that i'd advise a walk around just to take in the history of the place.
In addition to the main tour theres also the Garda (Police) museum and the revenue museum, possibly the most boring subject for a museum ever.
Also a well stocked gift shop and a café and its well worth checking out the Chester Beatty Library and its gardens which are in the grounds of the castle.
A really beautiful castle. But when you've seen over 20, they all start to seem alike. Again, a must see, but what info I retained and actually spit back out in my life in Cali is limited.
Dublin Castle is the heart of historic Dublin and the helipad in Dublin Castle is actually on the old Dubh Linn or Black Pool that gave this city its name!
The history of the castle is fascinating and goes a long way back! And the tales of lose and war and escapes and deaths are great and good to listen to!
The castle itself is really cool on the inside and holds some lovely art pieces and great rooms like the ballroom!
Covered by the Heritage Card, which is a card that pre-pays admission to a number of historical sites at a discount. Not anything compared to Buckingham Palace, but what do you expect? It's right in the center of town and an interesting start to learning Dublin. Shame you cannot see inside the oldest turret or in the Church. But you do get to see impressive staterooms and the ancient foundations.
There's been fortifications on this hilly site since at least Viking times, and probably before. There's a rich and wonderful history as a result. The various parts of the castle you see on the tour range from the 1200's onwards. They've survived things like the civil war, and witnessed a whole heap of events (like holding James Connolly prisoner before he was taken to Kilmainham and executed) as the Irish Republic was slowly born. Parts of the castle still functions as state apartments, so inside there's lavish furnishings and artwork. Witty, interesting guided tours are 4 or 5 quid and get you into the apartments (when they're not being used), Chapel Royal and undercroft. This last part is amazing - you can see the remnants of the underground river that gave Dublin it's name and parts of the early castle walls. One of Dublin's must-see historical set pieces.
