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Dublin Castle — Dublin Castle's Gothic facade and round tower along the courtyardPhoto: Jowaria · CC BY-SA 4.0 · edited
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Dublin Castle

Castles & palaces ·Dublin ·Closed
4.343.1K
#1Castles & palaces in IrelandTravelers' Choice 2026
  • Visit: 30–60 min
  • Step-free access

Adult Ticket EUR 8 · Senior Ticket (60+) EUR 6 · Student Ticket (18+) EUR 6

Tickets from EUR 8
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About

Dublin Castle on Dame Street in central Dublin, closed to visitors until January 2027: a castle built at the dark pool that gave the city its name.

More photos 11

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Dublin Castle — Dublin Castle's round tower beside the Chapel Royal
Dublin Castle — Dublin Castle's round tower beside the Chapel RoyalDublin Castle — Castle courtyard seen through a stone archwayDublin Castle — Dublin Castle courtyard framed by its surrounding buildingsDublin Castle — Chapel Royal interior with vaulted ceiling, galleries and red pewsDublin Castle — Chapel Royal nave with patterned floor and carved galleriesDublin Castle — Chapel Royal's stained glass window above the altarDublin Castle — Chapel Royal organ framed by carved woodwork and columnsDublin Castle — Spiral staircase inside the Records OfficeDublin Castle — Castle tower seen through a curtained windowDublin Castle — Carved stone figure set into a castle wallDublin Castle — Stone entrance detail marked The Coach House

Why go

  • St. Patrick's Hall, the castle's grandest room and one of its most visited, a large ballroom.
  • The State Apartments, where presidential inaugurations are held; the latest, Catherine Connolly's, was in 2025.
  • The State Dining Room, the castle's oldest room, which keeps its original decoration.

Plan your visit

Prices

Adult TicketEUR 8
Senior Ticket (60+)EUR 6
Student Ticket (18+)EUR 6
Child Ticket (12-17 yrs)EUR 4
Child Ticket (under 12 yrs)Free
Family Ticket (2 Adults & 3 children)EUR 20

From the venue's website · checked 27 Oct 2026

Opening hours

Today09:45 – 17:45Show all
Monday09:45 – 17:45
Tuesday09:45 – 17:45
Wednesday09:45 – 17:45
Thursday09:45 – 17:45
Friday09:45 – 17:45
Saturday09:45 – 17:45
Sunday09:45 – 17:45

Don't miss

  • Throne RoomA throne built for the 1821 visit of King George IV to Ireland.Inside the castle On the map
  • Record TowerThe only tower of the original fortification still standing, dating from the 1220s.Southeast corner of the castle On the map
  • Powder Tower baseVisible in the basement; also known as the Storehouse Tower.Basement, northeast corner of the lower yard On the map
  • Chapel Royal cryptThe crypt of the Chapel Royal is now an arts centre that hosts occasional concerts.Under the Chapel Royal On the map

Your visit in 1–3 hours

1 h
  1. From January 2027, when the castle is open to visitors again: a guided tour, about one hour, covering the medieval basements and the Chapel Royal.
  2. Afterwards, see the State Apartments on your own.
30 min
  1. A self-guided visit, about 30 minutes, as the alternative to the guided tour.

Know before you go

  • The castle is closed to visitors until January 2027, while it hosts events for the Council of the European Union Presidency.
  • Open daily, 09:45 to 17:45, when the castle is open to visitors.
  • Closed on 25, 26 and 27 December and on 1 January.
  • Open to the public except during state functions and official ceremonies.
  • Tickets are sold online on the castle's own website.
  • Guided tours are booked by email to [email protected].
  • Venue hire and filming or photography are arranged through the Events section.

Legends and hidden details

  • The former dark pool site is now a garden with a water feature for fallen Gardaí.
  • An archway and part of the wall survive buried beneath the 18th-century buildings.
  • The base of Cork Tower, at the northwest corner of the medieval enclosure, remains behind the west range of the Upper Yard.
  • The base of the Bermingham Tower, at the southwest corner, is one of the few original parts left.
  • Viking defences survive beneath part of the castle.
  • The castle's base still lies along the line of the River Poddle.

What's inside

  • State Apartments in the southern range of the Upper Yard, dating from 1680 to 1830 and still used for official occasions.
  • The State Apartments include bedrooms used by viceroys and royal family members.
  • Five interconnecting rooms that were the private quarters of the Lord Lieutenant.
  • Medieval Undercroft, the medieval basements under the castle.
  • Chester Beatty Library, in a purpose-built facility with a café.
  • Garda Museum, in the Treasury Building since its 2017 relaunch.
  • Coach House Gallery, in the Dubh Linn Gardens.

Best time to visit

  • More than a hundred events for the Council Presidency are planned here, making it the main State venue for them.

With kids

  • Children under 12 are admitted free, and a family ticket for 2 adults and 3 children costs 20 EUR.
  • Family programme sessions are scheduled month by month and advertised through a monthly e-newsletter and social media.
  • Questions about the family programme and tours in Irish go to [email protected].

Interesting facts4

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  1. The castle doubles as the Vatican in the pilot of the television series The Tudors.

    Dublin Castle - Wikipedia

  2. It has appeared in films including Barry Lyndon, Michael Collins and Becoming Jane.

    Dublin Castle - Wikipedia

  3. Part of the castle appears on the cover of the Jandek album Khartoum Variations.

    Dublin Castle - Wikipedia

  4. The castle's Irish name is Caisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath.

    Dublin Castle - Wikipedia

Shorts

Photo spots

  • Dame Street frontageThe castle's front on Dame Street, in the middle of the old town.Dame Street On the map

Tours and audio guides

Self-guided tour
About 30 minutes Done on your own, without a guide.
Irish-language tours
Booked by email Sent to [email protected].
Family tours
Four themed tours General Family Tour, Secret Agent Tour, Treasure Hunt Through Irish Symbols and Painting Pursuit Tour. Led by the Education Officer and the tour guides.
School tours
Free for Irish schools Covers the Medieval Undercroft, Chapel Royal and State Apartments. Availability is checked first; book by email to [email protected].

Accessibility

  • State Apartments and Chapel Royal All areas are fully accessible.
  • Coach House Gallery and gardens Fully accessible.
  • Viking Excavation Reached only by stairs.
  • Upper Yard Uneven surfaces, so watch your step.

Sources: Dublin Castle - Wikipedia · Dublin - Wikivoyage (see) · Dublin Castle | The nerve centre of historical … · Dublin Castle | The nerve centre of historical … · Dublin Castle | The nerve centre of historical … · Dublin Castle - Wikipedia · Château de Dublin - Wikipedia · Dublin Castle: tickets (its own site) · Schools | Dublin Castle · Family-Friendly | Dublin Castle · checked 19 Oct 2026

Where
Dame St, Dublin County Dublin

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

Is Dublin Castle open to visitors right now?

Dublin Castle is closed to visitors until January 2027, while it hosts events for the Council of the European Union Presidency. Once it reopens, it is open daily from 09:45 to 17:45.

How much are tickets to Dublin Castle?

Adult tickets cost 8 EUR, senior (60+) and student (18+) tickets 6 EUR, and child tickets (12 to 17) 4 EUR. Children under 12 are admitted free, and a family ticket for 2 adults and 3 children costs 20 EUR. Tickets are sold online on the castle's own website.

How long does a visit to Dublin Castle take?

A guided tour takes about one hour and covers the Medieval Undercroft and the Chapel Royal. Afterwards, visitors can see the State Apartments on their own. A self-guided visit takes about 30 minutes.

Are children welcome at Dublin Childre Castle?

Children under 12 are admitted free. Family tours and family art workshops are run through the education programme, and the workshops take children aged 7 to 12 with a parent or guardian.

Can visitors with reduced mobility get around Dublin Castle?

The State Apartments, the Chapel Royal, the Coach House Gallery and the gardens are fully accessible. The Upper Yard has uneven surfaces, and the Viking Excavation can only be reached by stairs.

Where is Dublin Castle?

Dublin Castle stands on Dame Street, Dublin, in the middle of the old town, on the highest point of central Dublin.

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