IMPORTANT NOTICE
PLEASE NOTE THAT DUBLIN CASTLE WILL BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC FROM 5th MAY – 31st DECEMBER 2026 TO ACCOMMODATE THE EU PRESIDENCY.
WE ARE SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE CAUSED.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
PLEASE NOTE THAT FROM 1ST SEPTEMBER 2025
THE VIKING EXCAVATION WILL NOT BE PART OF THE GUIDED TOUR EXPERIENCE DUE TO UPGRADE WORKS.
WE ARE SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE CAUSED.
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.
Accessibility
All areas in the State Apartments and the Chapel Royal are universally accessible. The Viking Excavation is only accessible by stairs.
The Coach House Gallery located in the Dubh Linn Gardens is also universally accessible, as are the gardens themselves.
Caution is advised on the uneven surfaces in the Upper Courtyard of the Castle.
Opening Times
Open all Year Round
Monday – Sunday and Public Holidays 09:45 – 17.45
Last admission at 17:15
Closed 25 – 27 December and 1 January
Average Length of Visit: Guided Tour 1 hour. Self Guided Tour 30 minutes.
Ticket Prices
Self-guided Tour
Adult Ticket: €8.00
Senior Ticket (60+): €6.00
Student Ticket (18+): €6.00
Child Ticket (12-17 yrs): €4.00
Child Ticket (under 12 yrs): €0.00
Family Ticket (2 Adults & 3 children): €20.00
Guided Tour
Adult Ticket: €12.00
Senior Ticket (60+): €10.00
Student Ticket (18+): €10.00
Child Ticket (12-17 yrs): €6.00
Child Ticket (under 12 yrs): €0.00
Family Ticket (2 Adults & 3 children): €30.00
Latest Posts
Read the latest posts below, and click through to the full Castle Blog for all news updates.
Understanding the Derek Hill Collection
By Adrian Kelly, Curator of ‘Derek Hill and the view from Donegal’ The Glebe Art Museum in Co. Donegal opened in 1984 and is a wonderful place to work. Curators have a strange old life, it’s quite vocational and we talk about ‘our’ collections as if we own them. As...
Why Was James Connolly’s Family Prevented from Emigrating to the United States in 1916?
By Dr James Curry, Guide & Information Officer Photograph of Lillie Connolly with four of her daughters featured on a display in the James Connolly Room at Dublin Castle’s State Apartments, which was formerly part of the 2016 In the Shadow of the Castle: Dublin...
The Theft of the Irish Crown Jewels
By Jennifer Duffy, Guide & Information Officer The Irish Crown Jewels consist of a star (decorated with Brazilian diamonds, its centre featuring an emerald trefoil and ruby cross on a blue enamel background), a diamond badge and five gold jewel-encrusted collars....