Dublin · Medieval Dublin
Dublin Castle
A working government complex with the State Apartments, once the seat of British rule and today used for state occasions. You can tour the rooms alone or with a guide.
- 1 h 30
- €8
- Booking advised
- Medieval Dublin
Data checked on October 5, 2026
The castle was founded in the early 13th century on the site of an earlier Viking fortification and served as the centre of British administration until 1922. The medieval Record Tower is the main survivor of the original stonework, while the State Apartments date from the 18th century. Presidents of Ireland are inaugurated here today. The guided tour adds the history behind each room, and a visit usually takes about an hour and a half.
What to look for
- St Patrick's Hall, with its painted ceiling
- The Throne Room
- The Record Tower, seen from the Upper Yard
- The grounds and the garden behind the castle
Opening hours
| Monday | 9:45 am–5:45 pm | last entry 5:15 pm |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9:45 am–5:45 pm | last entry 5:15 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:45 am–5:45 pm | last entry 5:15 pm |
| Thursday | 9:45 am–5:45 pm | last entry 5:15 pm |
| Friday | 9:45 am–5:45 pm | last entry 5:15 pm |
| Saturday | 9:45 am–5:45 pm | last entry 5:15 pm |
| Sunday | 9:45 am–5:45 pm | last entry 5:15 pm |
Open daily 9:45 to 17:45, with last admission at 17:15. Guided tours run from 10:00 to 16:30. As a government building, the castle can close rooms at short notice. The Chester Beatty library inside the grounds is closed to the public until the end of December 2026.
Source: Dublin Castle, checked October 5, 2026
Tickets and booking
Adult ticket €8. The self-guided tour is 8 euros and the guided tour is 12 euros for an adult. Seniors and students pay less, and children under 12 are free.
Tickets can be booked online up to 15 days ahead. A limited number are sold on the day at the ticket desk, so book if you have a fixed date.
Getting there
Many Dublin Bus routes stop on Dame Street, a two minute walk from the gate, and the Luas Green line is about ten minutes away.
Tip
The courtyards and the garden behind the castle are usually open to walk through, so you can see the buildings from outside even without a ticket.