Ireland · HISTORICAL TOURS
The good history tours book out weeks ahead and the best go first. Below: the 15 to secure early, what each includes and where they differ.
Taste Dublin through coffee, oysters, Irish stew, cheese, beer, and ice cream on a small-group food tour with local stories and tips.
“Ann was a great guide thru the city and full of helpful advice and historical info. The food stops were outstanding and the portions were so filling and delicious! We enjoyed a wonderful day and would highly recommend this tour!”
Review of Dublin’s affordable two-hour history walk, covering Trinity College, Viking Dublin, the Civil War, Christ Church, and Dublin Castle.
“The guide was really nice and explained really well. I had fun, even if the weather was freezing. Would definitely recommend.”
Explore Dublin Castle, Temple Bar, and Ireland’s past on a lively two-hour walking tour led by Trinity history graduates.
“Loved loved loved the history lesson. I was aware of bits and pieces of Irish history but the tour did a really good job of assembling it in chronological order and emphasizing how important Dublin was in all of it. It's a long complicated history that is hard to sum up in a succinct way, but it was expertly done.”
Review of Dublin to Cork by train, Blarney Castle and Cobh, with timing, costs, highlights, drawbacks and practical booking advice.
“It is a great tour, it is a long day though. I would have given it 5 stars however our train journey back from Cobh turned into a bus ride half way and it wasn’t a great bus! Our tour guide Andrew was a wealth of information, friendly and had a great sense of humour. Would highly recommend this tour!”
Tour Dublin’s Jeanie Johnston tall ship, hear famine-era passenger stories, and see how Irish emigrants endured the Atlantic crossing.
“Excellent, really interesting and our tour guide Catriona was amazing with my 10 year old son. Answering his many questions and getting him over his fear of the mannequins on board. Highly recommend”
Explore Wicklow Gaol with holograms, prison cells, dungeon scenes, and family-friendly history for about one hour.
“Inspired the grandkids to think about ancestory, really got them thinking. Cafe could add more child friendly dishes.”
Explore Dublin’s darker past on a 1.5-hour walking tour featuring ghosts, Darkey Kelly, Hellfire Club tales, and expert local storytelling.
“Lydia did such a great job! She mentioned it was her first solo tour, but I never would have been able to tell. She was funny, a great storyteller, and overall made the tour a great experience.”
Review of Dublin’s four-stop donut and history walk, with guide tips, pricing, route details, accessibility, and advice on who should book.
“We had some great donuts and churros. Plus the information about the city was well done. Patrick?? Johnston was wonderful”
Explore Cork’s waterways, monuments, maritime past, and local stories on a 75-minute guided walk ending at the English Market.
“Our tour was excellent and our guide 'Noel' was fabulous. Thank you so much. Leon & Angela David.”
Explore Galway after dark through tales of murder, executions, witch trials, folklore, and ghosts on this lively 1.5-hour walking tour.
“Our guide Sean was very passionate and a great guide. We had a lot of fun and learnt some interesting facts about Galway. Would recommend!”
Review of Cork’s two-hour donut and history walk, with English Market sights, fresh pastries, guide tips, pricing, and honest value advice.
“I’ve been on this tour twice now, and loved it both times. A perfect combination of local history and stops for treats along the way. Highly recommend!”
Explore Dublin’s dark past on a small-group night walk featuring Darkey Kelly, Dublin Castle, haunted pubs, and grim local legends.
“Was not where app said they would be to meet. Then due to uncontrollable circumstances tour guide couldn’t reach me by phone but could by email. Tried to tell the operator where we were no response then he offered to book another tour. Gave him 2 options and told he couldn’t help. Apparently a fraud. I booked the day of the tour and guide tried to say I didn’t contact them before hand but I couldn’t. I did contact while we were looking for the tour group”
Explore Cobh’s Queenstown Story, an emotional self-guided museum on Irish emigration, the Great Famine, Titanic, and Lusitania.
“Excellent interactive museum. We were given the name of an emigrant to follow through the museum as if we were the one experiencing it. Very clever way to keep us engaged. We also enjoyed an amazing Irish scone with cream and jam, and an excellent cuppa.”
Walk Cobh’s 16 historic sites with storyteller Kieran, tracing Irish independence, local rebels, the Aud, and more in 90 minutes.
“Kieran was an excellent guide. Knowledgeable and enthusiastic with a mountain of good local stories that you won't find in the history books. He really brought the history of Cobh to life. Very good value.”
Review of Dublin’s private 1916 Easter Rising tour, with local guides, major sights, practical tips, price, value, and honest drawbacks.
“Eammon was our guide and he was outstanding!!! We toured Trinity College, temple Square, Grafton Street and the Guinness Factory. We jumped off of the plane from JFK and right into the tour. He kept us moving and interested! I highly recommend!”
Every kind of Irish day out, and the best of each.
