Dublin tours

Guinness beer has been brewed in Dublin since 1759, so while the current brewhouse has only been in operation since 2000, this is still a great tour to come on if you want to find out more about a historic part of Dublin’s (and Ireland’s) identity. During the three-hour guided tour of the huge complex, you’ll visit the Roast House, older parts of the site and even unique access through an underground tunnel which leads to the current brewhouse. You’ll learn all about the brewing process, with hands-on demonstrations, interactive exhibits and unique memorabilia spanning the drink’s population through the ages, as well as a few photo opps.

The impressive Dublin Castle has a complex history, having served in its time as the seat of the English, British and Irish. Dating back to the 13th century, today it is the site Irish presidents are inaugurated – and a popular tourist attraction. A guided tour of the castle will see you take in Viking and medieval excavation sites, the Gothic Revival-style Chapel Royal with their stained glass windows, and the ornate State Apartments, whose rooms include the Apollo Room (look at the plastered ceiling to see where it gets its name from) and the suitably regal, gold-and-purple Throne Room.

For over 240 years, Bow St. Distillery has been in operation to produce another favourite Irish tipple, Jameson whiskey, which is enjoyed all over the world. Regardless if you’re interested in the drink, the site itself makes for a fascinating visit, with a 40-min guided tour giving you a deep-dive in the history and heritage of Jameson and its legacy it has imprinted on the world.

One of the best Dublin tours to take is of one of its finest institutions, Trinity College. It makes up the sole college of the University of Dublin, which has been running for over 400 years. Booking onto a guided tour of the college will see you take in the historic campus, including its leafy boulevards, Old Library Exhibition and the Book of Kells, which you’d usually have to pay a separate admission fee for. The tour lasts around 40 minutes, during which you’ll also hear some of the university’s notable alumni, who include Oscar Wilde, Aisling Bea and Niall Horan.

There’s loads of Dublin walking tours to choose from, whatever your interest: music, traditional pubs, food, literature and more. If you want a general overview of this capital city, then book onto either a North Side or South Side (of the River Liffey) guided walking tour. Each are invigorating in their own way: on the South Side tour, you’ll take in the likes of Trinity College and Temple Bar while hearing ancient stories of the people who shaped the city’s identity, whereas on the North Side tour you’ll explore Viking settlements and Moore Street Markets, while learning more about Ireland’s struggle for political independence. If you’re considering Dublin holidays, make sure you ask your guide for local recommendations for an ultra-authentic experience.

The Little Museum of Dublin might be a house-turned-museum, but spanning just three rooms in a rather narrow Georgian townhouse, it manages to retain its homely feel. Your friendly guide will tell you the people’s history of Dublin through entertaining and informative stories, all while showing you around the themed collections. The museum tells the story of Dublin’s cultural identity in over 5000 artefacts, from old photographs to advertisement posters.