Dublin Castle
Caisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath
The seat of British power in Ireland for seven centuries, now a venue for presidential inaugurations and state banquets, with dazzling State Apartments.
Caisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath was begun in 1204 on the site of a Viking-era stronghold beside Dubh Linn, the 'Black Pool' that gave Dublin its name. Until 1922 it was the British administrative center in Ireland, when Britain formally handed it over to the provisional Irish government. Most of the surviving buildings are in the 18th-century Georgian style; only the medieval Record Tower remains from earlier. The State Apartments open to self-guided visits include St Patrick's Hall, where Irish presidential inaugurations take place, the Throne Room and the Picture Gallery, all richly decorated. Guided tours also take you to the underground Viking Wall remains and the Royal Chapel. Self-guided entry costs about €8 and guided tours about €12. Leabharlann Chester Beatty, in the castle gardens, is free to enter and holds a large collection of Eastern art, including Chinese jade, snuff bottles and scriptures, and is well worth a visit. The castle is a five-minute walk south of Temple Bar.
Opening hours
Daily 09:45–17:45 (last entry 17:15)
Nearby sights
- Chester Beatty
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Temple Bar
- Ha'penny Bridge
- St Patrick's Cathedral
- Grafton Street
- GPO & O'Connell Street
- St Stephen's Green