Built from 1204 on the orders of King John on the site of a Viking fortress, Dublin Castle served as the headquarters of English and later British administration in Ireland for over 700 years. The State Apartments, once used to entertain viceroys, now host Irish presidential inaugurations, while the medieval Record Tower and excavated Viking defences beneath the Undercroft trace the site's earlier layers.
| Admission | State Apartments and Chapel Royal: €12 adult, €8 concession (~$13.20 / ~$8.80) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 09:45–17:45; last admission 17:15 |
| Address | Dame Street, Dublin 2, D02 HE33, Ireland |
Why it matters
Seat of English/British administration in Ireland for over 700 years; Michael Collins accepted the formal handover of power to the Provisional Government here on 16 January 1922
Site facts
- Built
- 1204 (foundation); State Apartments largely rebuilt after an 1684 fire
Weather through the year in Ireland
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Ireland.
Location
Dame Street, Dublin 2, D02 HE33, Ireland
53.3430, -6.2674 View on map
Highlights
- State Apartments used for presidential inaugurations
- Medieval Record Tower, the castle's oldest surviving structure
- Chapel Royal's Gothic Revival interior
- Excavated Viking-era walls visible in the Undercroft