Ireland · HISTORY TOURS IN DUBLIN
The good history tours in Dublin 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 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 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”
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!”
Taste Dublin through Irish coffee, oysters, cheese, stew, and more on a private 3.5-hour food walk with local stories and a guide.
“Wonderful tour guide. He was so much fun and knew so much about the history of Dublin. A lot of delicious food samplings!”
Step inside Dalkey Castle near Dublin for costumed actors, medieval life, sea views, St Begnet’s church, and local writers.
“Minota is a fabulous guide and most welcoming. The castle/heritage center exhibits and the living history actors were both entertaining and informative. The actors played their parts to perfection. There hands on activities for all ages. the Views from the top were worth the climb up the narrow, winding, irregular castle tower steps. Take your time and use the handrails and you'll be fine. Make your own commemorative coin for a souvenir to take home. So glad we went”
Explore Dublin’s darker past on a two-hour walk featuring executions, grave robbing, medieval disease, serial killers, and eerie city legends.
“It was amazing! Our guide, Peter, was super nice and put in a lot of effort to make this tour interesting, informative and fun. We went to places we would never have discovered without the tour and learnt many gripping facts about the darker parts of Dublin's history. Clear recommendation!”
Explore Dublin’s LGBTQ+ story on a two-hour walk from Temple Bar to Dublin Castle, with queer icons, historic sites, and practical local insight.
“excellent tour! Helena is enthusiastic about sharing queer history in Dublin, and particularly focuses on people and history that might otherwise be forgotten!”
Explore Trinity College, the Book of Kells, Molly Malone, and Dublin Castle on a small-group history tour with expert local guides.
“Our particular tour guide, Alan, was very knowledgeable and made the tour quite enjoyable. This is one of those tours where, yes you are seeing the sites but one COULD do that on their own. The tour guide makes or breaks the tour. And we considered ourselves very fortunate to have had Alan lead us through the raindrops (this is Dublin, bring an umbrella!) that day.”
Explore Dublin’s 1916 Easter Rising sites on a private walking tour with a local guide, flexible pacing, GPO history, and personal insight.
“Thoroughly enjoyed the tour with Eamon. The day was beautiful and Eamon’s knowledge was exceptional . It was a really nice way to spend the afternoon in Dublin , highly recommended. Thanks again Eamon Regards Richard & Anne”
Every kind of Irish day out, and the best of each.
