Situated on a beautiful bay at the edge of the River Liffey, and surrounded by spectacular mountainous countryside, the iconic city of Dublin has served as Ireland’s capital for over a thousand years and is known around the world for its rich cultural heritage, historic landmarks and friendly atmosphere. Our Dublin in a Day tour is a great way to make the most of your time in the city, showing off key sites in the company of a passionate local expert.
On your private full-day tour, you will:
- Explore the highlights and lesser-known gems of Dublin, a UNESCO city of literature;
- Admire the historic buildings and learn the stories and legends associated with them, including Christchurch, the city’s impressive Gothic cathedral and Dublin Castle;
- Stroll around Temple Bar, a famously buzzing neighbourhood that gives its name to one of Dublin’s most famous pubs, renowned for serving 450 varieties of whiskey;
- Visit St. Stephen's Green, one of the city's most picturesque parks, and hear how it was used for grazing, witch burnings and public executions, before becoming a popular place for Dubliners and visitors to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of city life;
- Visit the grounds of Trinity College, Ireland's oldest and most prestigious university;
- See the famed Book of Kells and the magnificent Trinity College Library;
- Learn about Dublin's storied past, exemplified by the multitude of statues and architectural styles throughout the city;
- Step inside the National Museum of Ireland to see the "Bog Bodies" and learn how they are so well preserved and what they tell us about life in prehistoric Ireland;
- Stop at the National Gallery of Ireland to admire the Museum's most famed artwork: The Taking of Christ by Caravaggio;
- End your tour at the Guinness Storehouse, where black gold is created.
Enjoy a delightful day exploring Dublin’s quaint cobbled streets, famed for their ‘craic’ (good fun) and filled with vibrant art, markets, cafes, pubs, and historic buildings. Thanks to your private guide, a local expert well-versed in Irish history and culture, you'll quickly get a feel for why so many famous historical figures have made Dublin their home, from beloved literary greats like W.B.Yeats, Oscar Wilde, (both of whom lived at Merrion Square,) Jonathan Swift, Samuel Beckett and James Joyce, to political and military figures like Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington. Dublin has a long and varied history, dating back over 1000 years. Throughout your tour, you’ll learn about the Viking and Norman influences and see the medieval churches and 13th-century Dublin Castle. You’ll learn about the Christian takeover of Celtic traditions and spirituality, and hear all about the long struggle for Irish independence from the British as you stand outside the spectacular parliament buildings.
You'll make your way through the world-famous Temple Bar neighbourhood and enjoy its lively atmosphere of live music and buskers, and have the chance to peek inside the eponymous Temple Bar pub, founded back in 1840 and known for serving over 450 types of whiskey! Then, one of the main highlights of your tour of Dublin is undoubtedly your visit to Trinity College, Ireland’s historic elite university, considered equivalent to Oxford and Cambridge in England. You will follow in the footsteps of centuries of scholars as you make your way through its great library, home of the Book of Kells, one of the most famous and beautifully illustrated manuscripts in the world, consisting of an exquisite set of Gospels dating to circa 800 C.E.
Your guide will also show you inside two of Dublin’s major museums: the National Museum of Ireland to see the famous Bog bodies, remarkably well-preserved human remains discovered in Irish peat bogs, and the National Gallery to behold Caravaggio’s stunning painting The Taking of Christ. NB: In the event this work is on loan or unavailable on the day of your visit, your guide can show you other pieces within the museum's impressive collection. Last but certainly not least, you’ll take a taxi to the Guinness Storehouse, where your guide will bid you farewell, leaving you to enjoy the self-guided tour of this iconic brewery. You’ll learn all about Ireland’s most famous beer and take in panoramic views over the city as you enjoy a well-earned pint of the Black Stuff at the end of this fascinating day!
Please note: external guides are not allowed to guide in Trinity College, so you will join a shared guided tour at Trinity College Campus, Old Library and the Book of Kells. All books from the Long Room have been removed as part of the historic Old Library Redevelopment Project, except the first four bays as you enter the space. In the meantime, your visitor experience will include a digital journey through the Old Library’s precious collections.
