Book of Kells Tour with Dublin Castle: Fast-track Entry and Guided Experience
4.6
2,364 Ratings
Edmund Burke Statue
Experience the beauty and mystery of the Book of Kells on a guided tour with fast-track entry. Explore the rich history of Irish heritage and discover hidden secrets. Visit Dublin Castle for a fascinating journey through medieval streets and gardens.
Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • The Book of Kells & Old Library - Visit the 9th century Book of Kells, described in the 1007 Historical records off Ulster as ‘the most precious object in the western world’. The cultural and historical value of the Book of Kells has only increased in the millennium since - this exquisite work of art has stood for 1,200 years as the greatest example of medieval illumination. This tour starts by delving into its rich ornamentation and explores its dense symbolism and meaning and its merit as an artistic masterpiece.
  • Trinity College Dublin - After your visit to the Book of Kells and Library enjoy 10 minutes at the venues souvenir shop.
  • Dublin Castle - Continue on this fascinating fully guided tour to Dublin Castle, the heart of historic Dublin. Originally built in the 13th century on a site previously settled by the Vikings it functioned as a military fortress, a prison, treasury, courts of law and the seat of English Administration in Ireland for 700 years.

Rebuilt in the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, Dublin Castle awaits to enthrall all who enter her gates. On this fully guided exterior tour, see the original 13th century Record & Octagonal Towers, the Upper & Lower State Yards and their architectural highlights. Led by an expert local English-speaking guide who will unveil incredible secrets including tales of intrigue and mystery, this tour is a “must do” for anyone interested in the history of Ireland. Enjoy and added bonus on this magnificent tour of the 13th century Castle to visit the Castle Gardens, which is the very location where the first Vikings landed in Dublin in 795 AD. Today it is a magnificent Celtic inspired landscaped lawn. (This tour does not visit the Castle Apartments)

  • Molly Malone Statue - Visit the Statue of Molly Malone and join your guide and tour group for a few lines of good Irish cheer as you sing “Cockles & Mussels” alive alive oh”s well as being known and sung internationally, the popular song ‘Cockles and Mussels’ has become a sort of unofficial anthem of Dublin city. The song’s tragic heroine Molly Malone and her barrow have come to stand as one of the most familiar symbols of the capital.
What's Included
  • View the ancient 9th Century Book of Kells in the College Treasury.
  • Explore the historic 16th Century campus of Trinity College.
  • Admire the exterior of the medieval Dublin Castle from the 13th Century.
  • Gain entry to the oldest vaulted library in Europe.
  • Experience the ‘Turning Darkness into Light’ Exhibition.
  • Enjoy insights from an expert English-speaking local guide throughout the tour.
What's Not Included
  • Transportation
  • Interior visit to Dublin Castle
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel Pick-Up
Additional Information

Take pleasure in the convenience of online expedited entry tickets to the Book of Kells. Uncover a significant piece of Irish heritage on this early-bird, fully narrated tour. You will delve into the rich ornamentation, deep symbolism and history of the 9th-century Book of Kells, renowned worldwide for its artistic brilliance and the many enigmatic secrets it holds from as far back as 800 AD. This timed entry tour presents guests with a unique chance to explore the exhibition without the commotion of larger crowds. Following this, you’ll embark on an enthralling walking tour to uncover the 13th-century Dublin Castle and Gardens, situated in medieval lanes within Dublin’s original city walls. Experience Ireland and Dublin’s history brought to life through remarkable tales shared by proficient English-speaking local guides.
Starting Fall 2023, the Trinity College Library will be under renovation. The 9th-century Book of Kells will continue to be displayed.

  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Anybody under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by somebody aged 18 years or older.
  • Wear comfortable shoes as this tour involves walking, including over uneven surfaces, cobblestones, hills, inclines, declines and stairs.
  • Participants should be in good health - consult first with your doctor if you have any medical condition or are not used to regular exercise.
  • THIS VOUCHER IS NOT AN ENTRY TICKET. To participate in your tour, you must first check-in with the guide. You can only access the venues as part of your organised group tour.
  • Wheelchairs, motorised scooters, or any other device to assist mobility are not suitable for this tour.
  • It is recommended that all guests purchase travel insurance that provides complete coverage for any number of issues that may arise.
Location
Edmund Burke Statue
Grafton Street
Meeting Time: 15 minutes before the scheduled start time Meeting Place: Edmund Burke Statue, 119 Grafton Street, Dublin 2, D02 E620 Meeting Point: Meet your guide at the Main Front Entrance of Trinity College, facing on to College Green, between the big wooden doors, and iron railings.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(2364 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
H8441soshelleym
Mar 31, 2024
Great tour guide!! - Absolutely fantastic! Short tour of the local area before we hit the college. Quick recap of Ireland’s history & hot spots. Tour guide was wonderful & catered to the group’s individual questions & needs (bars, restaurants & shopping recommendations). Professional & knowledgeable, fun loving & friendly tour guide! Will definitely refer to Malene when I return!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alina_d
Mar 31, 2024
Great experience - Our guide was excellent, showed us a few special places for eating / drinking / shopping and gave us a very good explanation and helpful details before seeing The Book of Kells. Highly recommend this 2hr tour.
Review provided by Viator
Porterpottery
Mar 30, 2024
Entertaining and informative but fast paced. - Neil was great! informative and entertaining. Tour felt a bit rushed, but I understand that the book is popular and crowded and needs to keep moving.
Review provided by Viator
Petroy_p
Mar 30, 2024
Great tour! It was very... - Great tour! It was very informative and the tour guide provided a great depiction of the history of the country.
Review provided by Viator
Mimmo
Mar 30, 2024
Highly recommended tour - Very professional guide "Alan with the yellow hat" Highly recommended. Informative and great tour. This tour is must if you are interested in history.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
801terrenced
Mar 30, 2024
Excellent tour made special by our guide Roger - Excellent tour especially with our tour guide Roger who was exceptional. He really made the tour with his extraordinary knowledge of Irish history and his wonderful storytelling. A delightful tour which we highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eric_k
Mar 28, 2024
Time well spent - This was a thorough and informative tour. Alan (with the yellow hat) our guide was very detailed in his descriptions before we saw the book which was very helpful.
Review provided by Viator
Melinda_b
Mar 27, 2024
Trinity - Amazing to see the book and the long room: not much time to spend but it’s beautiful!. No pictures can be taken of the book
Review provided by Viator
Bridget_i
Mar 28, 2024
Great intro to Dublin - Neil was excellent and the tour was wonderful! Good fun! We appreciated the info and the tips for other stops.
Review provided by Viator
Thomas_l
Mar 30, 2024
Not worth the cost - The Book of Kells is a must do, and the new high-tech Experience is great. Our tour guide gave a beginning presentation outside the entrance to Trinity College with all the traffic, trams and ambulances in the background, could hardly hear any of it. Should have gone in the courtyard with less noise and easier to gather around in a circle. The tour said it was of Dublin Castle, but did not go inside (as I had expected). Overall this tour did not compare favorably to other tours we did on the trip. Cost was 66 Euros each for the roughly 2-1/2 hours. We spent about 75 +/- for a 6 hour trip bus tour to Newgrange, etc., one day and a 12 hour trip to the Cliffs of Moher / Galway on another day. Very pricey compared to those.
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 8 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today