Discover the culture and vibrancy of Ireland between the rolling landscapes and foggy skyline and see the best of Dublin and its historical highlights on this half-day tour with your knowledgeable tour guide and Dubliner.
On your private tour, you will:
Dublin has a rich 2,000-year-old history, spanning from the Celts to the modern-day; this curated walking tour will bring that history alive. On your tour, you will explore the castle’s 800-year history. Near old Christ Church Cathedral, you will learn about the area's history as a Viking settlement, and view the site of the world’s first performance of Handel’s Messiah.
Continue your turn about the city with a dive into some of Dublin's most famous architectural buildings, including the Neoclassical 18th-century former House of Parliament and the Georgian-style City Hall. You will also visit the famous Temple Bar, Dublin’s cultural and entertainment quarter and one of the liveliest nightlife areas that preserve its medieval street pattern, with many narrow, cobbled streets.
Visit the famed O’Connell Street, where you will see The Spire, Daniel O'Connell and James Joyce statues and the General Post Office. This is the very spot where the crowds gathered for the Declaration of Irish Independence and which became the inspiration for poetry and literature of the era. You will hear all about the many writers and rebels from your knowledgeable local guide.
Stepping on the Ha’penny Bridge, a beautiful pedestrian bridge that once charged the eponymous half penny to cross, we will cross the River Liffey to learn all about the famed Trinity College, Ireland’s first and most acclaimed university.
You will hear about the college’s numerous treasures and tales of renowned past students, including Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker as well as visit its campus and see the famous Book of Kells, the most famous of the medieval illuminated manuscripts.
Your tour will leave you not only full of the local history of the capital city but also with a great foundation to explore the city at your leisure.
Please note: external guides are not allowed in Trinity College so you will be parting ways with your guide at the entrance where you will join a small guided tour the visit to the 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.
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:
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.
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