The 15 Best Viking & Medieval Tours in Ireland

1.Walking Tour of Dublin’s Viking/Medieval Quarter with a Viking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 171 reviews · 2 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $36Our pick

Meet Bren at Dublin Castle for a 2-hour-45-minute walking tour of Viking and medieval Dublin. In character as a 9th-century Viking warrior, he uses stories, myths, replica weapons, and audience participation to bring the city’s early past to life. The walk returns to the starting point and may include Luna, his half-wolf dog.

“Bran was wonderful. He was so passionate and knowledgeable about the Viking history of Dublin. We recommend this tour as a Must DO while in Dublin”

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2.The Medieval Mile Museum Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 155 reviews · 55 minutes to 1 hour (approx.) · from $13

Tour St. Mary’s Medieval Mile Museum in Kilkenny with an English-speaking guide such as Joe, Lyn, or John. In about an hour, you’ll explore a medieval church and graveyard, hear about the Black Death, and see archaeological finds spanning 800 years. Guided touring ends at the museum, with unlimited time to continue exploring.

“John is very knowledgeable and a great storyteller. The artifacts in the museum are so well preserved and interesting.”

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3.Walk the Medieval Mile with Pat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 132 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $21

Join Pat for a lively 90-minute walk through Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile. In medieval costume, he leads you from the Tholsel and castle to Kyteler’s Inn, St. Canice’s Cathedral, Smithwick’s, and St. Mary’s. Expect local stories, historical context, photos, and plenty of time on your feet. Entry fees are extra.

“Great tour of Kilkenny. We learned so much from Pat and were talking about his stories the rest of the trip. He blends history with some of his own observations from living in Kilkenny, as well as stories from his dad and other relatives. Would recommend!”

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4.Waterford Treasures: Medieval Museum Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 132 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $16

Spend about 45 minutes inside Waterford’s Medieval Museum, built over the 13th-century Choristers Hall and 15th-century Mayor’s Wine Vault. See the complete Cloth of Gold vestments, Henry VIII’s Cap of Maintenance, and the Great Charter Roll. Choose a costumed guide or a handheld tour in English, French, or German.

“Fabulous and informative guide. She was so knowledgeable. Some of the artefacts held at the museum are so impressive and unexpected. It was good value for money and I would recommend”

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5.Medieval Mile Museum Self Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · 1 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $9Best value

Use your phone to explore St. Mary’s Medieval Mile Museum in Kilkenny at your own pace. The audio tour explains the church, graveyard, high crosses, wall paintings, crypts, and the people buried here. A children’s version helps families follow the story, while staff can suggest other places to see in town.

“Excellent museum with some very interesting artifacts. Staff are great and the self guided tour is highly recommended. Archaeological discoveries are fascinating as is the cemetery. Take soon time to talk to staff about other places to see in Kilkenny. Staff will provide you with many suggestions.”

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6.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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7.Dublin Private Medieval Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $162

Spend about three hours walking medieval Dublin with a private English-speaking guide such as Pasquale, Conor, Ed, or Cecilia. You will visit Chester Beatty inside, see Dublin Castle and three historic churches from outside, and hear how Vikings, churches, trade, and modern city life shaped Dublin.

“Liam was amazing!! This was by far one of the best tours we have ever done. You can tell he loves what he does. He was enthusiastic, professional, and fun to follow and learn about the history of Dublin. 10/10 would recommend this tour to anyone.”

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8.Osprey Viking Cruises

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · 1 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $62

Cruise the Suir River from Waterford with Captain Andy McDermott and guides such as Jonathan or Johnny. Hear stories of Vikings, castles, Cromwell, wartime history, and Little Island while passing Mount Congreve and Grannagh Castle. Expect an English-language boat trip, usually about an hour, with longer private journeys possible by arrangement.

“Warm welcome aboard.. interesting historical information about the area and Little Island. An enjoyable afternoon cruise with a much appreciated cup of tea and biscuits!”

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9.Medieval Dublin Walking Private Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Join Junona Wild for a private 2.5-hour walk through medieval Dublin. You’ll see Viking-era archaeology, old city walls, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin Castle, and St. Audoen’s Church. The tour is in English, with Russian support available, and admission to the two major interiors costs extra.

“You should do this tour! Junona is an incredible guide - so knowledgeable, so engaged and engaging! We do a lot of private tours when we travel and this is one of the absolute best we’ve ever done! She was amazing in both English and Russian (we are a family with two bilingual kids and mom, English only dad and Russian only grandma) and kept everyone from my 10yo daughter to my 87 yo mom deeply engaged! She’s amazing with kids (and of course adults)!”

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10.Waterford Treasures: Walking Tour of the Viking Triangle

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 43 reviews · from $15

Follow an English-speaking guide through Waterford’s Viking Triangle in a small group of up to 10. In about 45 minutes, you’ll pass Bishop’s Palace, 33 The Mall, Reginald’s Tower, and Greyfriars Friary while hearing stories from the Viking age through the Victorian era. Guides including Anna, Deirdre, Jamie, and Laura are known for clear, witty storytelling.

“1000 years in a thousand steps or thereabouts. A great informative little adventure with a great guide in Jamie. Highly recommended - it was the highlight of my stay in Waterford.”

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11.Kilkenny from Medieval to Modern City. Private Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Join local guide John for a two-hour private walk through Kilkenny’s medieval core and modern city. You’ll see the Black Abbey, Butler Gallery, an original city gate, Tudor buildings, the Butter Slip, and Kilkenny Castle. The route can adapt to your group’s pace, interests, mobility needs, and even wet weather.

“Kilkenny is a beautiful town with great history and beautiful little shops. Our guide John was absolutely amazing. He is a local and the history and his knowledge of the area is fascinating. Part of my family couldn’t walk that fast and John was very patient and kind. Highly recommend this tour. Thanks John.”

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12.Connemara, Sheepdog Show and Medieval Castle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews

Meet the Lally Tours team outside The Hyde Hotel for a 7.5-hour trip through Connemara. Visit Aughnanure Castle with a local historian, watch Joe’s sheepdogs work, and stop in Leenane and Cong with guides such as Michael or Berry.

“This tour offered a variety of steps, all of which were interesting. Especially enjoyed the small group aspect and the flexibility that allowed.”

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13.Waterford Treasures: Medieval Museum Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · from $15

Start at the Medieval Museum reception in Waterford’s Viking Triangle. Choose a self-guided visit or ask about a guided tour, subject to availability. See the 1270 Choristers Hall, 1440 wine vault, Great Charter Roll, and rare cloth-of-gold church vestments in about 45 minutes to an hour.

“We paid for a guide and never saw one we paid for a guided tour and did not receive one . I would like a refund less the cost of admission to the museum”

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14.2-Day Rail Tour: Galway, Cliffs of Moher & Medieval banquet in Bunratty Castle

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · from $89

Travel from Dublin to Galway by train, explore the west coast by coach, and spend the night in Bunratty Village. You’ll visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, see the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, enjoy a four-course medieval banquet with Irish music, and return to Dublin by train.

“I cannot say enough how great this tour was! Best way to see multiple towns in Ireland. Transportation was very nice and it was great to not have to worry about getting to and from places. The tour guides were friendly and entertaining.”

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15.Medieval History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 10 reviews · from $62

Spend three hours tracing Dublin's medieval story with a live guide in English, French, Spanish, or Italian. Visit Dublin Castle, Dubh Linn Gardens, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Audoen's Church, and Cook Street. Choose a private or shared group tour, with guides such as Paula and Catherine tailoring the walk to your interests.

“Catherine was knowledgeable and full of historical facts and tales. We didn't miss anything”

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