Address
Dublin Castle,
Dame St, Dublin 2
Ireland
Support
Phone: +353 1 6458813
Email: dublincastle@opw.ie
Email: dublincastleevents@opw.ie (events)
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About Dublin Castle
A monument of historic importance, the Dublin Castle built in the early 13th century, on a Viking settlement, is a major tourist attraction in the heart of Dublin city. Constructed under the reign of King John of England, the castle operated as a stronghold for the British Monarch in Ireland. Post-independence, the British handed over the castle to the Irish government. The castle, underwent a cycle of transformation from the earliest times to the present day, and is now the seat of office of public works.
Constructed as a medieval citadel, the Dublin Castle has four strongholds, connected by towering fortress walls, enclosing a large central courtyard. In the 18th century, the castle revamped from a stronghold defense, into a magnificent Georgian palace, built with impressive reception suites, presently known as the State Apartments. These luxuriant rooms hosted significant state balls, feasts and other imperial ceremonies from time to time, for the British viceroys and government officials in Ireland.
The Dublin Castle has three surviving remnants of the Irish history in the city of Dublin, the Chapel Royal, the Viking Excavations, and the medieval tower. Francis Johnston designed the Chapel Royal, a masterpiece of Gothic revival architecture in 1814. The Chapel has ornate pinnacles on the exterior, and stained glass windows, painted ceilings and portraits on the inside. Below the castle, a section of the Viking Excavations and the moat is open to the public. These excavations are a part of Dublin’s historic defense embankments, and the medieval tower built during the reign of Henry III of England, is 4.8 metres in thickness, and is one of the surviving remnants of the city of Dublin.
The State Apartments has six grand reception rooms, galleries, French furniture, clocks, Rocco plasterwork, painted ceilings, and the grand staircase and the state corridor. Fully wheelchair accessible, visitors also spend time at the castle gardens, and enjoy the vegan and gluten-free snack at the refreshing cafeteria.
The Dublin Castle is open 7 days a week from 9:45am to 17:45pm. Tickets can be booked from the desk office at the State Apartments. The tickets for self-guided tour are less expensive than guided tours, and Dublin Pass holders get free entry for self-guided tour. Guided tours can be booked online using major credit cards. The Viking Excavation and the Chapel Royal are inclusive only with a guided tour. It takes about 60 minutes to tour the Dublin Castle, and the tickets cost €12 for an adult, €6 for a child and costs €30 for a family. If you are reaching the venue with your own automobile, note that Dublin Castle does not offer any car parking facility. You might however find one in the vicinity. For more information or queries on timings, tickets, events, cancellation, refund, or others, reach the Dublin Castle support.
