Castles of Dublin Tour

The tour starts when your chauffeur picks you up from your Dublin Hotel and the first stop will be Dublin Castle. For over 1,000 years this landmark in the centre of Dublin city was the seat of British rule in Ireland until 1922. The 11 acre site, houses 2 museums, 2 cafés, Government buildings and State Apartments, which are the most important state rooms in the country. The grounds are free to explore but an additional fee is required to view the State Apartments by guided tour.

From here we’ll take you to the coastal village of Malahide to visit Malahide Castle. Set on 250 acres of parkland, Malahide Castle was both a fortress and private home for nearly 800 years. As befits the oldest inhabited castle in Ireland, Malahide has many ghostly traditions. Some houses and castles have one ghost, some two but Malahide Castle has five!

Leaving Malahide we will drive through the coastal villages of Portmarnock, Baldoyle and Sutton reaching the fishing village of Howth, where Howth Castle has sat for over 800 years. This castle is a private home and while we can drive by and see it, it isn’t open to the public. Legend has it that Howth Castle was visited by the legendary Irish pirate in 1575, returning on a visit to Queen Elizabeth. She landed at Howth and proceeded to the castle, hoping to be admitted to dine with Lord Howth. She found the castle gates locked, a breech she felt of the Irish tradition of hospitality. She later kidnapped Lord Howth’s son returning him only on the promise that the gates never be locked at dinner hour and an extra place laid at the table for an unexpected guest. To this day an extra place is laid at the table at Howth Castle.

Notes: Access to some parts of both Dublin and Malahide Castles require an additional fee, which is not included in our rates.

4 Hour Tours

Car 4 hours €280 – additional hours €75 per hour
MPV 4 hours €380 – additional hours €95 per hour