I have a weakness for visiting castles and palaces. Maybe it’s from one too many fantasy books, or maybe I just love the architecture. Either way, if there’s a castle nearby, you better believe it’s on my itinerary! So, of course, when my friend and I went to Dublin last year, Dublin Castle was pretty much at the top of my bucket list.
And just imagine my surprise when I realized this beautiful castle was right in the middle of Dublin! Yup, you don’t even need to leave the city to visit this 800-year-old castle, with its unique blend of Baroque and Neo-Gothic architecture. You can easily walk, catch a cab, or ride the Big Bus right to its gates.
It’s an iconic stop that you won’t want to miss in Dublin, so here’s what you need to know…
Historical Highlights of Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle was originally built in the early 1200s as a medieval fortress under the instruction of King John of England. For centuries, it was the headquarters of English (and eventually British) rule in Ireland.
In 1684, a large fire destroyed a large portion of the castle. Instead of matching the original Gothic style, most of it was rebuilt using a Georgian style, similar to what you’d find in the French Palace of Versailles! It’s quite the contrast, but I thought it was really interesting. The new part of the palace included State Apartments, where the Viceroy would host big events, like balls and ceremonies.
In the early 1800s, they also added the beautiful Chapel Royal, where the Viceroy’s family and household worshipped. It used an imposing Gothic Revival style that tied back into the original medieval building quite nicely.
In 1922, Ireland gained its independence from England, and the last Viceroy of Ireland stepped down. Since then, Dublin Castle has primarily been used for state events, like the inauguration of each new Irish president, and no one currently lives there. It’s also a huge tourist attraction, with over 250,000 visitors each year!
Exploring Dublin Castle
When you visit Dublin Castle, you can choose to explore it in two ways: with a self-guided tour to the state apartments or with a scheduled guided tour that visits the Viking Excavation, the Chapel Royal, and the State Apartments.
Unfortunately, we could not join a guided tour because they were sold out for the day, but we thoroughly enjoyed our 45-minute self-tour of the beautiful State Apartments. If you’re thinking about joining a guided tour, you can read more about the Viking Excavation here and the Chapel Royal here to decide if it’s worth it to you.
The Courtyard
When you first enter the courtyard, you’ll immediately see the newer Georgian architecture in the neat red brick buildings surrounding the square. There are lots of archways, white-framed windows, and even pillars that make it feel more like a palace than a castle. There’s also a large, detailed bronze lioness statue by Italian artist Davide Rivalta, which was added in the spring of 2023.
The State Apartments
Inside, the State Apartments continue with the newer style, utilizing lots of deep reds, crisp whites, and gold accents everywhere. Many of the ceilings have ornate designs, and some of the wooden floors even have detailed patterns. There are chandeliers, paintings, and mirrors in abundance, and there’s even a Throne Room!
All in all, there are 11 main sections of the State Apartments to explore, each with its own unique design and furnishings. You’ll naturally walk through all of them on the tour, but here are a few I really enjoyed:
The Grand Staircase
The first thing you’ll see once you buy your ticket and enter the main castle is the Grand Staircase. It was designed to create a big first impression for everyone entering the State Apartments and has big, curved banisters and a regal red carpet.
The State Corridor
The State Corridor is equally impressive, with its arched ceilings and gilded accents. It’s a beautiful hallway that you’ll want to walk up and down to see from every angle. The tour takes you around a good chunk of this hall in a loop through the rooms, but you are free to take a sidetrack and explore it further.
The State Apartment Galleries
Four rooms off the State Corridor now function as rotating galleries for exhibitions, often about the castle. Originally, these were the rooms where the Viceroy and his family lived, and two of them feature fancy rococo ceilings with ornate plasterwork designs.
The State Drawing Room
This beautiful red room was originally used as a formal sitting room for the Viceroy’s wives as they entertained important guests. The Irish president still uses it on occasion for meetings with dignitaries. On your tour, you’ll see several impressive paintings, fancy furniture upholstered in matching red fabric, and a great courtyard view.
The Throne Room
It’s no surprise that the Throne Room is absolutely bougie! The wooden floors are patterned, everything is gilded, from the faux pillars to the ceiling, and a gold-trimmed throne sits underneath a golden overhang. It’s easy to picture kings and queens sitting here through the ages!
St. Patrick’s Hall
The last room you’ll go through is a grand ceremonial hall originally used as the castle ballroom! It has a beautiful painted ceiling and deep blue walls. The flags from the Knights of St. Patrick are also hung around the walls, and they’re all so interesting.
The Medieval Tower
Once you’re done walking through the State Apartments, head outside to see more of the castle’s original Gothic elements. The Medieval Tower (also called the Wardrobe Tower) is the oldest standing part of not just the castle but all of Dublin! It dates back to the early 1200s, although it was modified somewhat in the 1800s to complement the Chapel Royal. It’s currently closed for renovations, but I loved seeing its impressive exterior.
Castle Gardens
As you continue around the back of the castle, you’ll also see the impressive exterior of the Chapel Royal before you reach the beautiful Castle Gardens. These date back to the early 17th century and include a four-season garden, plus four smaller gardens around the perimeter. There are quite a few sculptures scattered around, and one garden has a memorial to all the Irish police who have been killed in the line of duty.
The center of the garden is a large green space with sea serpent-inspired patterns cut into the lawn.
Planning Your Dublin Castle Visit
Location
Dublin Castle is super-easy to visit because it’s right in the middle of Dublin! We noticed it was on our Big Bus Tour route but didn’t realize how convenient the location was until we pulled up to the gates. There is no on-site parking, so public transportation is a smarter option than driving your own vehicle. It’s also within walking distance of several other iconic stops, like St. Patrick’s and Christ’s Church Cathedrals, George’s Street Arcade, and the Temple Bar district.
Opening Hours
It’s open all year round except for December 25-27 and January 1st. Its normal operating hours are 9:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. The last self-guided tickets are sold at 5:15 p.m., but I recommend getting there before 5 p.m. to have enough time.
Tickets & Bookings
Tickets cost 8 euros per adult for the self-guided tour and 12 euros for the guided tour (discounts are available for seniors, kids, students, and family groups). However, you can’t buy guided tour tickets in advance, and they only run at scheduled times throughout the day. If you’d like an audio guide for the State Apartments, just ask, and they’ll tell you how to access a free download to accompany your tour.
On-Site Lockers
One final note: you cannot bring large bags or backpacks on the tour. To avoid accidentally breaking anything, guests have to leave bags in lockers at the front of the castle. They are free and secure, but I recommend taking cash or valuables with you instead of leaving them.
Keep the Fun Going with My Dublin Castle YouTube Video!
Closing Thoughts on Dublin Castle
If you’re headed to Dublin, I definitely think a visit to Dublin Castle is worth your time. It’s affordable, doesn’t take long, and gives you a fascinating glimpse into the city’s government history. Not to mention, the architecture is just gorgeous. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here, even with a self-guided tour, but I wouldn’t mind returning to take a guided tour on a different trip.
I hope this post helped you decide whether to add Dublin Castle to your personal list. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comment section below, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
If you enjoyed this post, please consider liking and sharing it. Don’t forget to check out my other posts about things to do in Dublin! I’ve got lots of great recommendations, from a unique vintage tea tour to a day trip to Northern Ireland.
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Thanks so much for stopping by to read this post, and I wish you many happy travels!
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Beautifully done by the beautiful writer in the photos!! She’s my niece – carrying on the legacy of “family writers” in excellent fashion.
Aww thank you, Aunt Jeanette 🥰