Dublin Castle
The nerve centre of historical power in Ireland
09:45 – 17:45
See all opening times
Dublin Castle
The nerve centre of historical power in Ireland
State Apartments - Self Guiding only
Grounds and garden open.
Christmas Hours 2024:
December 25 - 27 inclusive = closed
December 28 & 29 = open
December 30 - January 1 inclusive = closed
Open as normal from January 2nd 2025
Admission
Guided Tour (1 hour) (State Apartments, Medieval Undercroft, Chapel Royal and Exhibitions)
Adult €12.00
Senior €10.00
Student €10.00
Child €6.00
Family €30.00
Self-Guide (30 minutes approx) (State Apartments and Exhibitions)
Adult €8.00
Senior €6.00
Student €6.00
Child €4.00
Family €20.00
Follow us
Dublin Castle
Just a short walk from Trinity College, on the way to Christchurch, Dublin Castle is well situated for visiting on foot. The history of this city-centre site stretches back to the Viking Age and the castle itself was built in the thirteenth century.
The building served as a military fortress, a prison, a treasury and courts of law. For 700 years, from 1204 until independence, it was the seat of English (and then British) rule in Ireland.
Rebuilt as the castle we now know in the seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Dublin Castle is now a government complex and an arena of state ceremony.
The state apartments, undercroft, chapel royal, heritage centre and restaurant are now open to visitors.
Highlights
Gallery
Opening Times
Open all Year Round
Monday – Sunday and Public Holidays 09:45 – 17.45
Last admission at 17:15
Average Length of Visit: Guided Tour 1 hour. Self Guided Tour 30 minutes.
Admission is by guided tour with a self guiding option also available.
Christmas 2024:
Closed 24 – 27 December 2024 inclusive.
Closed 01 January 2025
Notice
Advanced booking is required for both Guided and Self-Guided Groups.
Please note that as Dublin Castle is a working Government building, security, access to rooms and opening arrangements may be subject to change at short notice. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Getting Here
Situated in the City Centre off Dame Street, behind City Hall, 5 minutes walk from Trinity College en-route to Christchurch.
Click the relevant icon below to open Maps directions
Facilities
- Brochure
- Café
- Card Accepted
- Guided tours
- Toilets
- Wheelchair Accessible Toilet
Restrictions
Nearby sites to visit
Dublin Castle
St Audoen’s Church and Visitor Centre
A medieval chapel at the centre of city life
Approx. 0.4 km from Dublin Castle
St. Mary’s Abbey – Chapter House – Cistercian Monastery
The ruins of one of the largest and most important monasteries in medieval Ireland
Approx. 0.5 km from Dublin Castle
St Stephen’s Green
A Victorian civic gem in Dublin’s greatest garden square
Approx. 0.6 km from Dublin Castle
Resources
Social Guide
Download, print and read our social guide (PDF) about visiting Dublin Castle. This will help first-time visitors, families and people with developmental and learning disabilities to prepare for a visit to Dublin Castle.
Download the Social Guide
Educational Resources
View our Educational Resources for Dublin Castle
(5 resources)