Dublin Shore Excursion

This private Dublin tour gives you the very best of Dublin. You enjoy city driving tour with visits to Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral and the famous Guinness Storehouse to sample the beer. Free time is also included for you to have lunch in a typical Irish pub.

Your private guide will meet you at the pier and you will start with a driving tour which allows you to see the main sights including the famous Doors of Dublin, the River Liffey, the Customs House, O'Connell Street, the GPO (General Post office), the Four Courts, and the city's Georgian area, including Merrion Square, Fitzwilliam Square, St. Stephen's Green, and Leinster House (National Parliament Building).

Your first stop is Trinity College, which along with the Old Library building, make up Ireland's oldest university. Today it houses one of Ireland's most illustrious books, the 9th century Book of Kells, an exquisite and lavishly decorated copy of the first four gospels in Latin. Even after such a long time, the grandeur and aura of this historical book has not diminished and is considered one of the major tourist attractions in Dublin.

Before viewing the famous book visitors pass through an excellent exhibition based on the book of Kells and other important writings from Ireland's monasteries. You'll see the 'long room' built in 1745. Once the principal library of the University, it now contains over twenty thousand books and manuscripts with some of the Trinity's oldest volumes. Brian Boru's harp, said to be the oldest harp in Ireland is on display along with a copy of the Proclamation of the Republic, or 1916 Proclamation, one of the most important documents in Irish history.

Next you visit St. Patrick's Cathedral, Ireland's largest church and the National Cathedral of Ireland which is built on the site where St. Patrick supposedly made his first Irish converts to Christianity in the 5th century. The cathedral was damaged during Cromwell's invasion of Ireland in the 17th century. The Guinness family (of brewery fame) restored the structure in the 19th century.

St Patrick's is Gothic style and adorned with funeral monuments in its splendid interior. Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels, was dean of St. Patrick's and is buried here. The Chancel is flanked by ornate stained-glass windows, and next to the Altar are spectacular choir stalls, once used by the knights of St Patrick. The massive west towers house a large array of bells whose ringing tones have become part of the very character of Dublin.

Next is free time for you to enjoy lunch in a typical Irish pub (meal not included) and do a short amount of shopping if you wish.

Your final stop is at one of the world's most famous breweries, which has been on this site since Arthur Guinness founded it in 1759. The Guinness Storehouse is home of the famous black beer with the distinctive creamy head, it is the high point of any brew lover's trip to Dublin. You'll learn its dramatic history that began over 250 years ago and ends in Gravity, the sky bar, where you'll enjoy a complementary pint of Guinness, and an astonishing view of Dublin as well.

After your Irish explorations you return to the Dublin pier.

Mobility: Folding wheelchair OK, some sites may be inaccessible (advance notice required)

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If you cannot find what you are looking for, our Dublin shore trips can also be customized to fit your needs. If you have a larger group, we can offer you a private Dublin tour using a mid-size bus or full size coach. Please contact us with any questions or to receive a customized quote.

Travel Tips for our Clients

Green hills and shamrocks, good luck or leprechauns, what comes to your mind when you picture the Emerald Isle? The River Liffey runs through Dublin, the capital city of Ireland. The weather can be sunny, rainy, breezy or all of the above, maybe even simultaneously The beauty of the land and the history of the buildings are still eclipsed by the friendly nature of the Irish people.

Top Sights in Dublin

Dublin Castle- The Vikings had selected the original site for this structure while “visiting” in the 13th Century. Throughout the years it has functioned in roles as varied as a military fortress and a court of law, a prison and a treasury. Currently, its capacity has been for state receptions and Presidential inaugurations.

The City Gaol- Guided tours are given through this large unoccupied jail. Its long history (1795 –1924) has seen the leaders of several of Ireland’s rebellions imprisoned here. Fourteen members of the Easter Rising of 1916 were executed here. A detailed audio-visual presentation provides insight into one of the darker facets of Irish history.

National Museum at Kildare Street- Originally opened in 1890, the collections contained within these walls include examples of Celtic and Medieval artifacts such as the Tara Brooch and the Ardagh Chalice. Other displays showcase prehistoric Ireland, the Invasions of the Vikings, and the Road to Independence, among others.

Guinness Storehouse- In 1759 Arthur Guinness opened a brewery on a street known as St. James’ Gate, just a few minutes from Dublin’s City Center. Today, the most popular tourist attraction in Ireland encourages visitors to explore a process of brewing and marketing one of the most recognizable symbols and exports of the Emerald Isle. Small bubbles slowly sinking into a pint of black stout is the reward that awaits all those who choose to partake at the end of the tour.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral- A wooden church was first built on this site in the fifth century. The cathedral was built in 1213 and is named after the patron saint of Ireland. A well on the grounds is reported to be where he baptized his first converts to Christianity. The Choir School was founded in 1432 and students sing accompaniment for most daily services. Of a curious note, a door is displayed with a large, jagged hole hacked into it. It was through this hole that two Norman Earls shook hands to settle a quarrel, thus inspiring the saying, “…to chance your arm…”

Christchurch Cathedral- The principal cathedral for the Protestant faith in Ireland is located just a few hundred yards from St. Patrick’s. Founded in 1038, and renovated several times since, some of the walls date back to the 12th Century. Just beside the Cathedral is the multimedia presentation celebrating Dublin’s medieval heritage: Dublinia. Complete with a reconstructed archaeological dig and interactive displays, this provides visitors with some of the challenges facing the inhabitants of Dublin from that era.

Trinity College- The oldest university in Ireland, has been educating students and enthralling visitors since 1592. One of the biggest draws, for the tourists, is the Book of Kells. This manuscript contains a Latin text of the four gospels and was beautifully decorated by Irish monks in the year 800 A.D.

General Post Office- Built in 1815 this stalwart building was the site of much bloodshed in the 1916 Easter Rising. Bullet marks can still be seen in the front pillars. Several of the leaders of that revolt were executed in Kilmainham Gaol. Reopened in 1929, the General Post Office once again offers a wide range of services, bullets not typically among them.

O’Connell Street / Phoenix Park- These pedestrian-friendly expanses, allow for numerous opportunities to observe the wildlife. As the widest street on the island, pedestrians and shoppers alike will wander the center median of O’Connell Street. The 17th Century Ashton Castle is the visitor center for Phoenix Park. This three-mile length of forested hills and outdoor space has been the location of the Dublin Zoo since 1830. With numerous monuments and memorials, bikers and picnickers might also spot one of the members of the herd of deer, which also inhabit this park.