Schools

A Variety of Ways to Engage with Our Collection

Notes for Teachers

From guided tours to hands-on workshops to the ever changing exhibition programme, Dublin Castle is the place to bring students to experience inspirational learning.

Free guided tours of Dublin Castle’s collection and exhibitions are available for primary and secondary schools. To book a tour or to find out further information, please contact us on dublincastle@opw.ie.

Primary

What is Dublin Castle? What kinds of objects are in it? What can objects, excavations and buildings tell us about the people of the past? At Dublin Castle we offer a variety of educational tours and workshops for primary school students.

Students can encounter highlights from the diverse collection at Dublin Castle in a fun and accessible way. Pupils will explore elements of the history of Dublin, from the Vikings to 1916 and Revolutionary Ireland to life inside the State Apartments. Activities can complement the curriculum, inspire the class and increase their understanding of the past.

Guided tours are free for primary schools at Dublin Castle. If you would like to book a tour or make further enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Secondary

At Dublin Castle we offer a variety of fun and free educational tours and workshops for secondary school students. Tours can complement the curriculum and include information related to the Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate. Junior Cycle students can learn about life during the Viking, Medieval and Georgian period in Ireland. Leaving Certificate students can focus on Revolutionary Ireland with a particular emphasis on the 1916 Rising and Dublin Castle’s Red Cross Hospital.

We offer specialised tours of our art collection and temporary art exhibitions to Art History students where they can learn about the layout, display, curation and philosophy behind our exhibitions. Our guides are trained to encourage discussion and interaction throughout tours, making it an enjoyable experience for students. Dublin Castle also offer an annual art portfolio preparation course. If you are interested in participating in this course, please contact us.

Guided tours are free for secondary schools at Dublin Castle. If you would like to book a tour or make further enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us.