Guinness Storehouse & Dublin Shore Excursion

This private Dublin tour covers the best of the city in a full day: a driving tour with visits to Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and the Guinness Storehouse, plus free time for lunch in a typical Irish pub.

Your private guide meets you at the pier and starts with a driving tour past the main sights, including the Doors of Dublin, the River Liffey, the Custom House, O'Connell Street, the GPO (General Post Office), the Four Courts, and Georgian Dublin, including Merrion Square, Fitzwilliam Square, St. Stephen's Green, and Leinster House (National Parliament Building).

Your first stop is Trinity College, home to Ireland's oldest university and the Old Library. Here you'll see the 9th century Book of Kells, a lavishly decorated copy of the four gospels in Latin and one of Dublin's most visited attractions. Before viewing it, you pass through an exhibition on the book and other important writings from Ireland's monasteries. The Long Room, completed in 1732, holds over 200,000 of Trinity's oldest volumes, including Brian Boru's harp, said to be the oldest harp in Ireland, and a copy of the 1916 Proclamation of the Republic.

Next is St. Patrick's Cathedral, Ireland's largest church and National Cathedral, built on the site where St. Patrick is said to have made his first Irish converts to Christianity in the 5th century. The cathedral was damaged when Cromwell's forces stabled horses inside it in the 17th century, and Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness personally funded its restoration between 1860 and 1865. Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels and a former dean here, is buried inside.

Next is free time 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 the Guinness Storehouse, on the site where Arthur Guinness founded his brewery in 1759. You'll learn the brewery's history across seven floors and finish at Gravity, the rooftop bar, with a complimentary pint of Guinness and a view over Dublin.

After your Irish explorations, you return to the Dublin pier.

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

What's Included

Included

• Pick up from Port or Hotel in Dublin
• Your contact will hold a welcome sign with your name written
• Private Vehicle with Driver-Guide for 2-6 people
• Private Vehicle w/ Driver & a Licensed English Speaking Guide for 7 or more people
• Included Visits- Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Guinness Storehouse with Pint of Lager

Not Included

• Meals and beverages not mentioned in the itinerary
• Gratuities (optional, at your discretion)
• Personal shopping

Tour Timing

All times are approximate and will vary based on your group's pace and interests.

• 1
  30 Minutes

  Drive to Dublin
• 2
  1 Hour

  Dublin Driving Tour
• 3
  1.5 Hours

  Visit Trinity College
• 4
  1 Hour

  Visit St. Patrick's Cathedral
• 5
  2.5 Hours

  Lunch Break / Free Time
• 6
  1.5 Hours

  Visit Guinness Storehouse
• 7
  30 Minutes

  Return to pier

Resources

Dublin Port. Official port site with terminal locations and cruise berth information. Official Website

Visit Dublin. Official Dublin tourism site for general trip planning. Official Website

Good to Know

Mobility

Folding wheelchairs are welcome, though some sites may not be fully accessible. Please let us know in advance so we can plan around any mobility needs.

Dress Code

Some sites on this tour require that shoulders and knees be covered. We recommend wearing or bringing a light layer to avoid being turned away at the entrance.

Customizable

This tour can be adjusted to fit your group’s pace and interests. If you’d like to spend more time at a particular site or add a stop, contact us when you inquire.

Larger Groups

For groups that need a minibus or full coach, contact us for a custom quote. We accommodate groups of any size.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Best of Dublin tour?

8.5 hours round trip from the Dublin cruise port, covering Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and the Guinness Storehouse.

When was the Guinness Storehouse founded?

Arthur Guinness founded his brewery on the Guinness Storehouse site in 1759.

Is lunch included?

No, but free time is built in for lunch at a typical Irish pub.

Does this tour include the Book of Kells?

Yes, the Trinity College visit includes the exhibition and Book of Kells in the Old Library.

Also Available:

›Highlights of Dublin - if you would like to visit Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral

›Dublin City Whiskey Tour - if you would like to visit Old Jameson Distillery with Tasting

Our Back-to-Ship Guarantee

Every excursion returning 1.5 hours before departure is covered. If we are late, we cover your costs to reach the next port. More info ›

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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.