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.
1920 and beyond – Irish Trailblazers, National and Transnational
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
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.”
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...