Dublin tours and tickets
Dublin has three tickets that sell out: the Book of Kells at Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse and Kilmainham Gaol. All three use timed entry, and in summer they go weeks ahead. A traditional music session, the castle and the parks need nothing. Newgrange and Glendalough make good day trips, and both are easier with a booking than without.
Book these first
- Book of Kells tickets
- a few days to weeks ahead. Timed entry fills up in summer, and the queue on the day can be long.
- Guinness Storehouse tickets
- a few days to weeks ahead. Slots sell out on weekends and in summer.
- Kilmainham Gaol tour
- a week or more ahead. Entry is by guided tour only and places run out.
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Museums and galleries
Book of Kells
The 9th-century illuminated gospel at Trinity College, shown with the Long Room library upstairs. Entry is by timed ticket, and guided campus tours and an early or late slot are sold. A visit takes about an hour.
Which to pick. Book the first slot of the day, or the last, to avoid crowds. The Long Room is the part most visitors remember, so allow time there.
A few days ahead, weeks in summerVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorGuinness Storehouse
A seven-floor visit about the beer, with a tasting and a bar with a view over the city. Entry is by timed ticket, with options for a tasting experience and a self-guided or guided visit.
Which to pick. Book a midday or early afternoon slot. The ticket includes a pint, and the top-floor bar is the best part.
A few days ahead, weeks in summerVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorNational Museum of Ireland, Archaeology
A free museum on Kildare Street with Bronze Age gold, Viking finds and the bog bodies. Entry is free and open to everyone. A visit takes about an hour.
Which to pick. Walk in without a ticket. Go early for quiet, and see the gold and the bog bodies first.
Not needed, entry is freeOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Churches and palaces
Kilmainham Gaol
A former prison where the leaders of the 1916 Rising were held. Entry is by guided tour only, and tickets are released online in batches. A tour lasts about an hour.
Which to pick. Book as soon as tickets appear for your dates. If you miss out, check for cancellations on the day before and the day itself.
1 to 3 weeks ahead in summerVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorDublin Castle and Christ Church Cathedral
The state apartments and chapel of the castle are seen on a guided tour, and the cathedral has a crypt and a bell tower. Tickets are sold at each, and a combined route is easy on foot.
Which to pick. Buy tickets on the day at each site. The castle tour is worth it for the state rooms, and the crypt is worth the extra time.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Experiences and nights out
Traditional music session
Live folk music in a pub, with fiddles, pipes and singing, often with no stage. Sessions run most evenings in Temple Bar and in quieter neighborhoods. Guided pub music tours also exist.
Which to pick. Choose a pub away from Temple Bar for a more local feel. Go early to get a seat, and buy a drink, since there is no cover charge.
Not needed, entry is freeTours and tickets on ViatorWhiskey tasting
A distillery visit or a bar tasting that covers pot still whiskey, how it is made and how to taste it. Tours last about an hour and end with a small tasting.
Which to pick. Book a tour if you are curious, a day or two ahead in summer. Skip it if you are visiting Guinness and want only one tour.
A day or two aheadTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Newgrange
A 5,000-year-old passage tomb in the Boyne Valley, older than the pyramids, with a light chamber that is lit at the winter solstice. Entry is by timed tour from the visitor center, so bookings matter.
Which to pick. Book a timed tour a week or two ahead in summer, and combine it with the Hill of Tara. A coach tour from the city is easier than the bus.
1 to 2 weeks ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorWicklow Mountains and Glendalough
A valley of lakes and a ruined monastic site with a round tower, about an hour by road. Day tours run from the city. Walks start at the visitor center, and the bus is limited.
Which to pick. Take a small-group tour if you do not drive. If you go alone, plan the last bus and bring rain gear.
A few days ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorHowth
A fishing village on a peninsula, with cliff walks, a harbor with seafood stalls and a lighthouse. It is about 30 minutes by DART train, and no ticket is needed beyond the fare.
Which to pick. Go by train and walk the cliff path in the morning. Eat fish and chips at the harbor afterwards.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on Viator
City and museum passes in Dublin
- Heritage CardA card from the national heritage service that gives free entry for a year to many state sites. It pays off with several visits, such as Kilmainham, Glendalough and Newgrange. Timed tours still need a booking. Official page
Booking tours and tickets in Dublin
How far ahead should I book the Book of Kells?
In summer, a few weeks ahead for a weekend and a few days for a weekday. Early morning slots go first. In winter, you can often buy the day before.
Can I get Kilmainham Gaol tickets on the day?
Sometimes, if there are cancellations or a late release. Do not count on it. Book as soon as your dates are fixed, since the tour is the only way in.
Is the Guinness Storehouse worth it?
Yes for most visitors, since the pint and the view are included. The self-guided visit is easy to follow. Avoid the late afternoon on weekends, when the bar is packed.
What is free in Dublin?
The National Museum, the National Gallery, parks such as St Stephen's Green and Phoenix Park, and many cathedrals' grounds are free. Check the details of each before you go.
Do I need a guide for Newgrange?
Entry is by a short guided tour from the visitor center, so you will have one. A longer coach trip adds the Hill of Tara and context. Book the entry slot first.
What can wait until I arrive?
Music sessions, Howth, the castle, the museums and St Stephen's Green can all be done on the day. Book the Book of Kells, Guinness and Kilmainham first.