St Patrick's Cathedral, Book of Kells and Dublin Castle Tour
Description
Embark on a privileged journey through Dublin's historic center on this exclusive priority timed access tour. Gain entry to iconic landmarks, including St. Patrick's Cathedral, where you'll have ample space to admire its architectural wonders. Next, you'll enter Trinity College Library to witness the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript of unparalleled beauty before visiting Dublin Castle & Gardens. Packed full of incredible insights and up-close historical visits including a visit to the must-see St Patrick’s Cathedral & Garden Park. Learn about Ireland’s patron saint and his incredible life story while your expert first-class local friendly guide offer a fully guide tour of this Dublin top landmarks. This tour continues to the Trinity College established in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth 1. Enjoy priority timed access ticket entry to the Book of Kells. Next, continue this fascinating walking tour to explore the 13th century Dublin Castle and Gardens.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Enjoy Skip the Line access and avoid the long lines for a fully comprehensive tour of Ireland's most famous Cathedral and Gardens where you will learn about the works of Johnathan Swift, Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral as well as Bram Stoker, author of Dracula and student of the 16th century Trinity College.
Continue on this fascinating fully guided tour to Dublin Castle. Originally built in the 13th century on a site previously settled by the Vikings it functioned as a military fortress, a prison, treasury, courts of law and the seat of English Administration in Ireland for 700 years. Rebuilt in the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, Dublin Castle awaits to enthrall all who enter her gates. On this fully guided exterior tour, see the original 13th century Record & Octagonal Towers, the Upper & Lower State Yards and their architectural highlights. Led by an expert local English-speaking guide who will unveil incredible secrets including tales of intrigue and mystery, this tour is a "must do" for anyone interested in the history of Ireland. Enjoy and added bonus on this magnificent tour of the 13th century Castle to visit the Castle Gardens, which is the very location where the first Vikings landed in Dublin in 795 AD. Today it is a magnificent Celtic inspired landscaped lawn.
Visit Dublin's mascot 'Molly Malone Statue' where your local guide will introduce you to Dublin's heroine and her famous song. The song's tragic heroine and her barrow have come to stand as one of the most familiar symbols of the capital. As well as being known and sung internationally, the popular song 'Cockles and Mussels' has become a sort of unofficial anthem of Dublin city.
Visit the 9th century Book of Kells, described in the 1007 Historical records off Ulster as 'the most precious object in the western world'. The cultural and historical value of the Book of Kells has only increased in the millennium since - this exquisite work of art has stood for 1,200 years as the greatest example of medieval illumination. This tour starts by delving into its rich ornamentation and explores its dense symbolism and meaning and its merit as an artistic masterpiece.
After your visit to the Book of Kells and Library enjoy 10 minutes at the venues souvenir shop.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please wear comfortable shoes as this tour involves a fair amount of walking, including over uneven surfaces, cobblestones, hills, inclines, declines and stairs.
- Participants should be in good health - consult first with your doctor if you have any medical condition or are not used to regular exercise.
- Wheelchairs, motorised scooters or any other device to assist mobility are not recommended, as we cannot guarantee: that all footpaths/sidewalks/curbs will have suitable ramps.
- Anybody under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by somebody aged 18 years or older.
- Not recommended for travellers with limited mobility
Reviews(1,416)
Niall was a terrific guide. He provided amazing information about Dublin. I would highly recommend him. He is passionate about his country which conveys in the information he provided during the tour. We had 10 people which was great.
Niall was an awesome tour guide! Gave us so much insight into the history of Ireland. Entertaining and engaging!
Not only a very informative experience regarding the history of Saint Patrick’s and Trinity College, but so many great anecdotal stories about Irish culture. Loved the Long library and Book of Kells..
The tour said it would be 3.5 hours and it ended up being 2.5 hours and we didn't walk by dublin castle like the tour described.
Thank you for your feedback, Nicole. We're sorry to hear the experience didn't fully match your expectations. The tour is scheduled for approximately 3.5 hours, although the exact duration can vary depending on the group's pace, entry times at the attractions, and daily operational conditions in the city. We'd also like to clarify that Dublin Castle is included as an exterior stop on the itinerary rather than an interior visit, as outlined in the tour description. This experience is designed to combine the Book of Kells, St Patrick's Cathedral and Dublin Castle into one comprehensive introduction to Dublin's rich history. Guests on this tour consistently rate it 5 stars, often highlighting the guides' storytelling and the excellent balance of the city's most iconic landmarks. The LetzGo City Tours team
Our guide was fantastic. All tours on Viator were superb. I took the Jameson Whiskey tour, the 3-hr. walking tour of Dublin, and the Game of Thrones tour. Each guide was informative and fun to listen to in their presentations. Highly recommend Viator. I can't say it enough. Bravo!
Thank you, Kathe! Your energy across the tours tells us everything about what makes LetzGo City Tours work. When every guide brings that mix of knowledge and personality, it sticks with you. We're so glad you felt it across the board. Thank you for choosing LetzGo City Tours!
Richard was a knowledgeable and resourceful tour guide when needed. He “chanced the arm” when he needed when circumstances beyond his control happened. Got a great amount of walking which allowed to see great parts of the city you don’t have on a tour bus.
Richard's resourcefulness in the face of unexpected circumstances is exactly the kind of guide work that defines LetzGo City Tours. That willingness to adapt, plus his knowledge of Dublin's hidden streets beyond the bus route, transforms a walking tour into a real exploration of the city. Thank you for choosing LetzGo City Tours!
Alan (w yellow hat) was fantastic!! He was so knowledgeable and told amazing stories that upgraded and improved our experience of this day. Alan was a great guide whose appreciation of history shone through his stories and the overall experience. Would highly recommend Alan as a guide through Dublin. What a great day!!
Alan's gift for weaving history into story—the kind that stays with you long after you leave St Patrick's, the Book of Kells, and Dublin Castle—is what elevates a tour from informative to unforgettable. That passion for Dublin's past clearly resonated. Delighted you had such a brilliant day with him. Thank you for choosing LetzGo City Tours!
Our guide was very knowledgeable and very pleasant
Dear Molly, seems like your guide's knowledge of Dublin's layered history clearly shone through! That combination of expertise with genuine warmth is exactly what LetzGo City Tours aims for on every walking tour. Thank you for choosing us!
Best tour guide ever! Thank you so much.
Thank you so much for the kind words! We're thrilled your St Patrick's Cathedral, Book of Kells and Dublin Castle Tour was such a memorable experience. Your guide clearly brought real passion to sharing Dublin's rich history and stories. That's exactly the spirit that makes LetzGo City Tours special. Thank you for choosing us!
Richard was pleasant, informative and knowledgeable. Great experience! A great way to spend the day!
Richard clearly struck the perfect balance between depth and accessibility—that mix of pleasant delivery with real historical knowledge is what makes the St Patrick's Cathedral, Book of Kells and Dublin Castle Tour so engaging. Those three Dublin landmarks carry centuries of story, and it sounds like Richard brought them all to life for you. Thank you for choosing LetzGo City Tours!
