Dublin Castle Visitor Facilities
Since its foundation in 1204 Dublin Castle has been at the heart of the history and evolution of the city.
Today, spanning an area of over 44,000 square meters (11 acres), the site contains 2 museums, 2 cafés, an international conference centre, 2 gardens, Government Buildings and the State Apartments which are the most important state rooms in the country.
The grounds of the site are free to explore, as is the Chester Beatty Library and the Revenue Museum.
Access to the State Apartments is by guided tour only and tickets may be purchased from the Apartments in the Upper Castle Yard.
The State Apartments dominate the south range of the Great Courtyard.
They were built as the residential and public quarters of the Viceregal Court and were the seat of the executive and focus of fashionable and extravagant social life (an account of Viceregal Court life is given in Chapter 15 of the Dublin Castle History).
Today the Apartments are the venue for Ireland's Presidencies of the European Union, Presidential inaugurations and prestigious functions.
The Undercroft is sited at lower ground floor level in the Lower Castle Yard, opposite the Chapel Royal.
The city walls join the Castle at this point. Here, the archway allowed small feeder boats to land provisions at the postern gate, from larger boats moored on the Liffey. The double archway and postern gate are still visible. Also on view here is the Viking defence bank, within the butt of the Norman Powder Tower.
The original Tower was five stories high - the top storey being occupied by the Lord Deputy during the 16th century.
Tours of the State Apartments, Medieval Undercroft and Chapel Royal
- Monday – Saturday, 10.00 – 16.45
- Sunday and Public Holidays, 10.45 – 16.45
- Closed: Good Friday, 24th - 28th December & 1st January
Access to the Medieval Undercroft and Chapel Royal is by guided tour only
The State Apartments are wheelchair accessible, however, the Medieval Undercroft is only accessible by stairs
Groups of 10 or more must be booked in advance
Foreign language tours may be available on request
Information leaflets are available in the following languages: English, Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Greek, Chinese and Japanese
Guided Tour Prices (50 minutes duration):
- Adults: €8.50
- Students (valid ID required)/Seniors: €6.50
- Children: 18 and under: €3.00, 6 and under: Free
- Family: €20.00
Group rate available on request
Self Guiding Prices
- Adults: €6.50
- Students (valid ID required)/Seniors: €5.50
- Family: €16.00
- Children: 18 and under: €3.00, 6 and under: Free
