Dublin Castle is temporarily closed. For any inquiries please email dublincastle@opw.ie.

Welcome to Dublin Castle

Erected 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’re open seven days a week from 9:45 to 17:45 (last admission at 17:15). Tickets can be purchased on site at the Castle’s visitor reception desk in the State Apartments (upper courtyard) or can be booked online by clicking here.

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Book Online!

Click here to book your tickets online for a self-guiding visit of the State Apartments.

What’s On.

Splendour and Scandal: The Office of Arms at Dublin Castle @ State Apartments Galleries

Jun 29 2020 @ 9:45 am – Jan 24 2021 @ 5:15 pm

9:45 am

Tickets

For 150 years, from 1831 until 1981, the Office Arms was located at Dublin Castle, and this exhibition aims to explore its peculiar yet fascinating history during that time. It will look at the glamorous[...]

1920 Trailblazers – National and Transnational @ Online

Sep 22 – Oct 31 all-day

12:00 am

Tickets

1920: Irish Trailblazers, national and transnational With historians Kate O’Malley and Ann Marie O’Brien. Introduced by Sinead McCoole As part of the programme of the 100 Years of Women in Politics and Public Life exhibition and the decade[...]

Culture Unlocked @ Galleries in Dublin City

Sep 24 2020 – Jan 21 2021 all-day

12:00 am

Tickets

As is the case with all heritage and cultural institutions in Dublin, Dublin Castle’s interiors are currently closed to the public. But remember that Dublin’s galleries are still open and eager to welcome you. Nothing[...]

History Unlocked @ The Archives

Oct 2 2020 – Jan 31 2021 all-day

12:00 am

Tickets

To mark the commemoration of the local elections of 1920, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, in collaboration with the Local Government Archivists and Records Managers, has recently published this booklet, available to[...]

102 Years of Women in Politics and Public Life @ anywhere and everywhere online

Oct 8 2020 – May 31 2021 all-day

12:00 am

Tickets

This Pop-Up Museum explores 100 + years of women’s participation in politics and public life in Ireland, but also their international influence. The exhibition and its associated activities shine a spotlight on the stories of[...]

Culture Unlocked online @ contemporary art galleries

Oct 22 2020 – Feb 28 2021 all-day

12:00 am

Tickets

Have you ever wondered where our contemporary art comes from? There is a wealth of galleries in Dublin and all over Ireland, many of which are still virtually open and eager to welcome you on[...]

Nov

Sun

Mezzo Masterpieces – Live Streamed @ St. Patrick's Hall

Nov 15 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

8:00 pm

Tickets

Three Opera Stars, Three Concerts, Three Iconic Locations. INO joins forces with the Office of Public Works for Mezzo Masterpieces, a series of online concerts with orchestra from three stunning Irish heritage sites. Three of[...]

June – November 2020 Jun – Nov 2020

The Castle Blog

Read the latest posts below, and click through to the full Castle Blog for all news updates.

1920 and beyond – Irish Trailblazers, National and Transnational

Oct 9, 2020

With Dr Kate O’Malley and Dr Ann Marie O’Brien With an introduction and closure by Dr Sinead McCoole, curator of the Pop up Museum ‘100 Years of Women in Politics and Public Life’ at the Coach House of Dublin castle, currently running on line. Listen to...

Social Distancing at Dublin Castle, 1832

Sep 28, 2020

By William Derham, Collections, Research & Interpretation In these times of Covid-19, with its restrictions and lockdowns, it can be easy, when searching for a word to describe the uncharted situation we find ourselves in, to reach for “unprecedented” – never...

“Brilliant Star, Brilliant badge, Gold Badge, ORDER OF ST PATRICK, for the use of The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.”

Jul 13, 2020

By William Derham, Curator of 'Splendour & Scandal: The Office of Arms at Dublin Castle'. So reads the engraved lettering on the oval brass plate of an otherwise nondescript mahogany and brass-bound box. It is no bigger than a biscuit tin, and to some eyes little...