Stroll down Dublin’s historic streets and dive into the city’s long and embattled history with this self-guided walking tour of the iconic Irish capital. Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the city’s Gothic marvel. Stop by Dublin Castle and Trinity College for a glimpse at age-old architectural splendor, then pay a visit to The Spire for a glimpse of modernity. Walk down the shop-filled O’Connell Street and visit the picturesque Temple Bar neighborhood. Along the way, you’ll uncover the history of the city and the Irish people.
After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.
New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
This isn’t an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
Note: The tour is over 2.9 miles long, with more than 41 audio stories, and takes about 1-2 hours per tour to complete.
New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
Your password can be used on the same number of devices as the travelers you have booked. Please enter the same password on each device. (5 min) 2. The song is simple and catchy, and it’s been popular ever since it was first published in the 1800s. The version we know today made its first appearance in a book of music hall songs printed in Boston, though it was definitely sung before then. (5 min) 3. This gorgeous white stone building to our left is Dublin’s city hall, a beautiful example of Georgian architecture. In this style, balance is king. That’s why this hall is so symmetrical. Those classical pillars out front are another iconic characteristic of Georgian buildings. (pass by) 4. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is part of a long history of holy buildings that have stood at this same spot. The first reference to a church here is from the year 890, more than eleven hundred years ago. Around 800 years ago, the wooden church built here was rebuilt with stone by the Normans. It was also elevated to the status of cathedral and dedicated to “God, our Blessed Lady Mary and St Patrick” in March of 1191. (pass by) 5. Whiskey has been an Irish staple since the 12th century. The name comes from the Irish phrase “uisge beatha,” which means “water of life.” This museum explores the long history of one of the world’s most popular spirits, and even gives visitors the chance to blend their own bottle. (pass by) 6. We’re on O’Connell Bridge, crossing over the river Liffey. It was this river which first drew the Vikings to settle in this spot, as it promised plentiful food and easy transportation. In Dublin’s early days, the settlement only existed on the south side of the river. (pass by) 7. The big statue on our left is a monument to Daniel O’Connell, also known as The Liberator. O’Connell hailed from Ireland and studied law in London. But during his time in Britain, he didn’t forget his roots. He was a staunch advocate of Irish independence. (5 min) 8. The spire was built on the former site of Nelson’s Pillar, an English monument. The Pillar was 134 feet of granite with a statue of Horatio Nelson on top, a famous English military leader. As you might imagine, the Irish didn’t relish having an English military man looming over them day and night. (5 min) 9. On April 24th, 1916, 400 men armed with rifles, pistols, and shotguns stormed into this post office. They raised flags of the Irish Republic and one stood outside to read the Proclamation of the Irish Republic aloud to shocked onlookers. (5 min) 10. The bronze sculpture of a man with a coat and cane is none other than James Joyce, one of Ireland’s most famous writers. His novel Ulysses is considered to be a masterpiece and a cornerstone of modern literature, but he was also a poet and a playwright. (5 min) 11. The street stands at the Abbey Theatre, one of Ireland’s most famous performance venues. It opened in 1904, and in over a century of operation, it’s been an incubator for many of Ireland’s most beloved playwrights. Famous poet W.B. Yeats was one of the founders of the theater, and when he set out to define the Abbey’s goals, he wrote:
“We hope to find in Ireland an uncorrupted & imaginative audience trained to listen by its passion for oratory … & that freedom to experiment which is not found in the theatres of England, & without which no new movement in art or literature can succeed.” (5 min) 12. The Custom House is ahead on our left. Keep walking until you’re standing in front of the main entrance in the middle of the building.
As you look up at the facade, you might notice that some areas of the stone seem to be a darker color than the rest. That’s because the Custom House had to have major repairs after starring in one of the IRA’s military actions. (5 min) 13. the Irish Emigration Museum. They keep the stories of Irish emigrants alive, and highlight Irish contributions to world history, from old-school Hollywood heartthrobs to polar explorers. They’ve got displays on everything from famous pirate Anne Bonny to former American Presidents. (pass by) 14. Over to the left you should be able to see a beautiful old-fashioned ship, which might look a little out of place in modern Dublin. That’s a replica of the Jeanie Johnson, a three-masted barque that was built in Canada as a cargo vessel. (pass by) 15. This impressive church dates all the way back to 1670, although it’s been rebuilt a couple of times since then. Most recently, Dubliners needed to rebuild it in 1860 after a terrible fire destroyed the building. (pass by)
Meeting point: Begin from Marsh’s Library, St Patrick’s Close, Dublin, Ireland. After booking the tour, search your emails and texts for “audio tour”. Your tour is VALID FOREVER, so follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.
This is a private tour. Available in: en.
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