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The interiors of Dublin Castle are currently closed, but the grounds remain open. Please check our online activities.

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.

Book Online!

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

What’s On.

October 2020 – February 2021 Oct 2020 – Feb 2021
Oct
8
Thu
May
31
Mon
102 Years of Women in Politics and Public Life @ anywhere and everywhere online
Oct 8 2020 – May 31 2021 all-day
102 Years of Women in Politics and Public Life @ anywhere and everywhere online
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[...]
Nov
6
Fri
Apr
21
Wed
Nov 6 2020 – Apr 21 2021 all-day
Do you think that’s simple? Try to describe it!
12:00 am
Tickets
Enter the descriptath(l)on Have you ever considered describing paintings to people who can only see them partially or not see them at all? Start with this one by Dublin artist John Fitzsimons (acquired in 2012[...]
Nov
6
Fri
Apr
21
Wed
Enter the descriptath(l)on @ Dublin Castle and anywhere in the world
Nov 6 2020 – Apr 21 2021 all-day
Enter the descriptath(l)on @ Dublin Castle and anywhere in the world
12:00 am
Tickets
Have you ever considered describing artworks, museum objects or buildings to people who can’t see them? Choose a work from our collection or one of our buildings and enter the descriptath(l)on, i.e. the marathon (or[...]
Nov
6
Fri
Apr
21
Wed
Join the descriptath(l)on @ Dublin Castle and anywhere in the world
Nov 6 2020 – Apr 21 2021 all-day
Join the descriptath(l)on @ Dublin Castle and anywhere in the world
12:00 am
Tickets
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to describe old photographs for blind people? Contribute your description of this photograph to enter the descriptath(l)on, i.e. the marathon (or decathlon) of descriptions that we are launching[...]
Nov
6
Fri
Apr
21
Wed
Join the descriptath(l)on with Vulcan @ Dublin Castle and anywhere in the world
Nov 6 2020 – Apr 21 2021 all-day
Join the descriptath(l)on with Vulcan @ Dublin Castle and anywhere in the world
12:00 am
Tickets
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to describe old paintings for blind people? Contribute your description of this painting, now hanging at the drawing room of the castle’s State Apartments, to enter the descriptath(l)on,[...]
Nov
19
Thu
Apr
30
Fri
Nov 19 2020 – Apr 30 2021 all-day
Let’s listen to visual art
12:00 am
Tickets
Have you ever considered describing works for viewers with a visual impairment? That’s what our #descriptathlon is all about. Geraldine O’Neil, Goldfish From the state art collection.   http://www.geraldineoneill.ie/still-life-stilled-birds https://www.kevinkavanagh.ie/artists/26-geraldine-o-neill/overview/
Dec
1
Tue
Jun
30
Wed
Dec 1 2020 – Jun 30 2021 all-day
Dementia-friendly sessions @ at home
12:00 am
Tickets
While we couldn’t offer the dementia-inclusive session that we had planned at the Coach House for our 100+ Years of Women in Politics exhibition, now running on line, we invite you to enjoy it at[...]
Jan
4
Mon
Apr
23
Fri
Jan 4 – Apr 23 all-day
History Unlocked: McKee, Clune and Clancy – Friday 27 Nov at 7pm
12:00 am
Tickets
For the centenary of “Bloody Sunday”, historian James Curry discusses the three republican prisoners who were killed at Dublin Castle during the height of the Irish War of Independence. Watch or listen here on Friday[...]
Feb
11
Thu
Jan
2
Sun
Feb 11 2021 – Jan 2 2022 all-day
Digital Castle
12:00 am
Tickets
Who would have thought that in its 99th year after independence Dublin Castle, along with many other museums and historic sites, would go partially digital? We can still walk in it, experience it with most,[...]
Feb
22
Mon
Mar
25
Thu
Feb 22 – Mar 25 all-day
Castle Hacks for Ireland reads
12:00 am
Tickets
It’s been 80 years since the death of James Joyce in 1941. For Ireland Reads day on 25 February, we are revisiting “a very fine piece of writing”, a short story from the Dubliners: Ivy[...]
October 2020 – February 2021 Oct 2020 – Feb 2021

The Castle Blog

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

A Prisoner’s Christmas at Dublin Castle, 1920

A Prisoner’s Christmas at Dublin Castle, 1920

Dec 23, 2020

One hundred years ago this month, as the War of Independence continued to unfold across the island of Ireland, Christmas approached. It may seem strange to consider Christmas during a time of conflict, not least an historic one that has left such bitterness behind it,...

21 November 1920 – Bloody Sunday

21 November 1920 – Bloody Sunday

Nov 18, 2020

By William Derham, Collections, Research & Interpretation It can be hard to gain a good picture of Dublin Castle sometimes. Metaphorically speaking, it looms large in the story of Ireland’s struggle for independence and yet relatively little has been written about...

A Bag From 100 Years Ago

A Bag From 100 Years Ago

Nov 12, 2020

For persons with dementia, their families, friends and carers. Countess Markievicz’s despatch bag – Engaging people with dementia An object that speaks volumes, in more ways than one… This object, the first in our on-line series of engagement for persons with...