The 15 Best Castle Tours in Dublin

1.Dublin Book of Kells, Castle and Molly Malone Statue Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,825 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $95Our pick

Start at Trinity College with timed entry to the Book of Kells, Long Room reimagined experience, 360 displays, and Gaia. Your English-speaking guide explains the manuscript before leading you through Dublin Castle’s courtyards and gardens, then on to Molly Malone. Guides including Dermot, Noel, Jimmy, Alan, Neil, and Fergus have been praised for warm, lively storytelling.

“Great tour, highly recommend if you’re looking for history. My tour guide was very pleasant and accommodating and knowledgeable..”

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2.Fast-Track Book of Kells Ticket & Dublin Castle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,661 reviews · from $90

Meet at Trinity College for a guided visit to the Book of Kells and the reimagined Long Room presentation, then walk via Molly Malone to Dublin Castle’s gardens and exterior. Guides include Richard, Sean, Alan, Declan, Fergus, Miriam, and Rory. Allow 165 minutes, wear good shoes, and expect stairs and cobblestones.

“Our tour guide Sean was excellent, very knowledgeable and informative, with good stories of Ireland and history on the college and Book of Kells. Thoroughly enjoyed tour and would recommend.”

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3.St Patrick’s Cathedral, Book of Kells and Dublin Castle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 882 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $143

Spend three and a half hours walking from St. Patrick’s Cathedral to Dublin Castle, Molly Malone, and Trinity College’s Book of Kells and Long Room. Guides such as Fergus, Miriam, Richard, John, and Alan bring the sites to life with history, humor, and useful city context. Expect timed entry, cobblestones, stairs, and no interior visit to Dublin Castle.

“It was great, our Guide Declan Roche was fantastic, funny, and very knowledgeable of history and fun facts”

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4.Book of Kells, Dublin Castle and Christ Church Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 379 reviews · from $77

Start near Ha’penny Bridge and walk through Temple Bar, Christ Church, Dublin Castle, City Hall, St. Andrew’s Church and Trinity College. Your licensed guide, often praised for lively storytelling, leads a group of up to 25 and includes timed access to the Book of Kells and Old Library. Castle and cathedral entry tickets cost extra.

“Great tour with an amazing guide! We really enjoyed the Book of Kells, Dublin Castle and Christ Church tour. Everything was interesting and well explained. Our guide, Dave Kavanagh, was fantastic – friendly, funny, and full of knowledge. He made the tour fun for both me and my child. Thank you, Dave, for a great experience in Dublin!”

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5.Dublin in a Day: Dublin Castle, Book of Kells, Guinness & Whiskey

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 247 reviews · from $172Top rated

Spend 7.5 hours exploring Dublin on foot with a local English-speaking guide. Visit Trinity College’s Book of Kells and Long Room, walk by the Liffey and Dublin Castle, then taste whiskey at Teeling and finish with Guinness at the Gravity Bar. Guides such as Brian, Niall, Hannah, and Sionainn are praised for lively stories and a good walking pace.

“Long day but highly informative and provides a thorough view of Dublin! It hits all of the highlights and you spend ample time enjoying the sights.”

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6.St Patrick’s, Book of Kells, and Dublin Castle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 164 reviews · from $101

Walk Dublin’s historic center with an English or Spanish-speaking guide, visiting St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle’s grounds, Molly Malone, Trinity College, and the Book of Kells. Guides such as Richard, Rory, Martin, John, and Seamus bring strong storytelling and local tips. Choose the six-hour option to add the Guinness Storehouse.

“Richard was awesome! This tour was one of the highlights of my Ireland trip. I learned a lot!”

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7.Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 145 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $85

Follow a guide such as Dave Kavanagh or Ben on a three-hour Dublin walk from the River Liffey through Temple Bar, medieval Dublin, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin Castle, and Trinity College. Your reserved Book of Kells entry includes the Old Library, while castle and cathedral admission costs extra.

“Our tour guide Dave was fantastic! He offered a great deal of knowledge, highlighting lots of history and unique facts. While we had walked around this area earlier in our stay, the additional information was greatly appreciated and we explored further based on his recommendations. The book of Kells was spectacular and the fast track entrance was worth the price of this tour. This was the perfect fast paced walking tour we wanted but also allowed us to spend as much time was we wanted at the Book of Kells and the second building with additional information and films.”

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8.Interactive Living History in Dalkey Castle near Dublin City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 133 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $21Best value

Spend about an hour at Dalkey Castle with a guide such as Minota and costumed actors who explain medieval defenses, barber surgery, archery, and daily life. Your ticket also covers St Begnet’s church and graveyard, the Writers’ Gallery, interactive displays, and battlement views. Tours run every 90 minutes in English.

“Fantastic tour! We learned so much and it was all very well presented. We loved the live actors and our tour guide Minota was excellent. Highly recommend!”

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9.Trinity College, Castle, Guinness and Whiskey Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 85 reviews · from $169

Spend 7.5 hours exploring Dublin on foot with an English-speaking guide. Enter Trinity College early for the Book of Kells and Old Library, walk through Dublin Castle and the cathedral quarter, taste whiskey and a cocktail at Teeling Distillery, then finish with Guinness Storehouse and a pint at the rooftop bar. Small-group and private options are available.

“This was excellent and hit all the highlights of the city in one day.”

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10.Book of Kells. Medieval Dublin Castle. 5* History & Heritage Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 73 reviews · 2 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $99

Walk through Trinity College, view the ninth-century Book of Kells and Old Library, then trace Dublin’s past from the former parliament on College Green to Molly Malone and Dublin Castle. Guides such as Sean, Marty, Michael, and Noel bring the stories to life in English, in a group of up to 20.

“Tour guide was very knowledgeable. I enjoyed it very much! The library was fantastic and the history behind the book of Kells is amazing. I would recommend this tour.”

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11.Full-Day Howth and Malahide Castle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 55 reviews · from $56

Spend 7.5 hours exploring north Dublin County with an Italian- or Spanish-speaking guide. Visit 11th-century Malahide Castle, stop at Casino Marino, enjoy free time in Howth, and choose a scenic walk from Howth Summit to the fishing harbor. Lunch is not included.

“Very friendly Italian tour guide. The tour was done with an audio guide (which was a little slow to download). The visit to the castle was very interesting. The walk along the coast to Howth was very beautiful and fairly easy (45 minutes).”

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12.Private Tour from Dublin: Hill of Tara Trim Castle, Celtic sites

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.)

Travel from Dublin with guide Diana to the Hill of Tara, Trim Castle, and Bective Abbey. You’ll explore prehistoric monuments, walk medieval Trim, tour Ireland’s largest Anglo-Norman castle, and enjoy tea, coffee, and fresh pastries among atmospheric abbey ruins. Private transport and hotel pickup make this a flexible seven to eight hour outing.

“We enjoyed our tour. Diana was a very knowledgeable and helpful tour guide. Having a picnic in the Irish countryside was wonderful. If you have time, I would recommend booking this tour.”

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13.Malahide castle and Howth MULTILINGUAL full day tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $67

Leave Dublin at 9:30 AM for Malahide Castle, its gardens, and 800 years of Talbot family stories. Continue to Howth for harbor time, a possible cliff walk, lunch, and perhaps seals by the fishing boats. Multilingual audio is available in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and German.

“There were so many sights to see and the staff was so helpful.”

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14.Private Tour to Hill of Tara, Trim Castle and more

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $806

Join Owen of Newgrange Day Tours for an eight-hour private drive from Dublin through the Boyne Valley. Visit the Hill of Tara, Hill of Slane, Bective Abbey, and Trim Castle in a luxury Jaguar limousine, with time to adjust the pace and route. Site entry is included where stated, but Trim Castle charges €5 on arrival.

“Owen took us around to various sites outside of Dublin during a cold and drizzly day but we still had a great time. We visited a couple monasteries, the Hill of Tara, Trim Castle, and a few other places. We also grabbed a quick bite at a small bakery with outstanding pastrieRead more”

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15.Private Boyne Valley and Trim Castle Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews

Leave Dublin with a private guide and explore County Meath’s ancient Boyne Valley. Visit Newgrange, Hill of Tara, and Trim Castle, stop for Irish pub food, and adjust the plan to suit your group. Brian is especially good with families and changing weather. Newgrange admission must be booked separately in advance.

“Our guide, Brian, was very knowledgeable and accommodating. Highlight was NewGrange but also enjoyed Slane Castle (Trim Castle was closed) and a beautiful sunset at Monasterboice.”

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