Welcome to Dublin Castle
Constructed in the early thirteenth century on the site of a Viking settlement, Dublin Castle served for centuries as the headquarters of English, and later British, administration in Ireland. In 1922, following Ireland’s independence, Dublin Castle was handed over to the new Irish government. It is now a major government complex and a key tourist attraction. We hope you enjoy your visit.
Open Daily
We are open seven days a week including Bank Holidays from 09.45am to 5.45pm (last admission at 5.15pm).
Tickets for a self guided visit to the State Apartments are available to purchase online (please see below).
Tickets for a visit by guided tour to the State Apartments, Medieval Section and / or the Chapel Royal are available to purchase from our ticket desk on the day of your visit.
We are delighted to announce that we are now running Guided Tours on a daily basis.
Tickets are available to purchase on the day of your visit from our ticket desk.
WHAT’S ON
The Castle Blog
Read the latest posts below, and click through to the full Castle Blog for all news updates.
The Final Handover
In a year full of commemorative centenary events, 17 August is not one date that stands out immediately. However, it was significant in the life of Dublin Castle and for Ireland as a whole. On that day, 100 years ago, the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) finally...
Johann Sigismond Cousser: a Hungarian Musician in Ireland
'Sing an English aria from time to time. This pleases them very much’- Johann Sigismond Cousser: a Hungarian Musician in Ireland by Peter Whelan, Artistic Director, Irish Baroque Orchestra Although almost entirely unknown today, Johann Sigismond Cousser was probably...
The Destruction of the Public Record Office, 1922 – a view from Dublin Castle
Text by William Derham. The Bedford Tower dominates the Upper Castle Yard of Dublin Castle and in 1922 it was home to the Office of Ulster King of Arms, the heraldic authority of all Ireland. The Office comprised myriad functions connected to genealogy, heraldry, pomp...