| Dublin Castle tips and photos posted by real travelers and Dublin locals.
Dame Street, Dublin 2
• 180 Photos
• 123 Reviews
See all Dublin Things To Do |
 | Dublin Dublin Castle Reviews | 1 - 10 of 123 |  |
The XII century castle was a royal residence back in the day of kings and queens. It was also the seat of the British rulers. Then it became the site for presidential inaugurations and government offices in modern time Ireland. For periods in between, it has served as Parliament, Courts of Justice, and a military garrison. People were shot and killed on its ground; the Irish Crown Jewels were stolen from its office and were never recovered. In short, there was something for everyone there, and anybody who was somebody -- whether on the side of the law or not -- had found his/her name associated with the Castle somehow.
It is a pleasant place to walk around and imagine the events of the past, and if your imagination is limited, there is always the restaurant and gift shop to fill the gap. Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
Visiting Dublin?
Read reviews about Dublin Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
Behind the castle is a fantastic garden which has a sort of stained glass snake like fountain. There is also a memorial to Veronica Guerin who was assinated in 1996, due to her extensive investigation into Dublin's crimeworld.
The georgian courtyard shows the scales of justice appearing to have her back to the city perhaps to say Justice is for the rulers of the country only.
I did not go inside but I'm sure its very interesting, open on wknds between 2 & 4.45pm & mon - fri 10am - 4.45pm
A guided tour costs Euro 4.50 Leave a Comment
|
If you are thinking another boring castle you will be wrong. From the outside it is more like a palace and alot of the rooms inside are palacial in style. The most fascinating part of the castle is underground - Excavations of the former Powder Tower, which reveal a chunk of the old city walls and moat, are an unusual sight.
The Castle was the centre of British power in Ireland, built on the orders of King John in the early 13th century, for many centuries. It is a good place to start a trip to Ireland to get the run down on Irish history. Leave a Comment
|
Dublin Castle is situated in the heart of historic Dublin.
The city gets its name from the Dubh Linn or Black Pool (dubh = black), on the site of the present Castle Gardens and Coach House.
In the 930's, a Danish Viking Fortress stood on this site and part of the town defences is on view at the Undercroft, where the facing stone revetments offered protection against the River Poddle. Their settlement of Dyflinn (a corruption of Dubhlinn) quickly became the main Viking military base and trading centre of slaves and silver, in Ireland. The Norwegian and sometimes Danish rulers had control of the Irish Sea and forayed deep into the centre of Ireland, where monasteries, with their precious ornaments and vessels, were easy targets. Eventually their power was broken, when they and their allies were heavily defeated by an Irish army under the command of King Brian Boru, at the Battle of Clontarft, 1014. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
I had read some mixed reviews on Dublin Castle before going, but I very, very much enjoyed my visit. To begin with, our tour guide was excellent - very knowledgeable and quite funny! What I liked the most about the tour is that it touched upon every important event that marked the country's history. Located near the original Viking settlement that gave birth to the city of Dublin, the castle was first built as a fortress shortly after the Norman invasion of 1169. Though not much remains of the original building, the tour includes a visit of the undercroft, which reveals the castle's fascinating past. The building was modified and expanded over the years, and though most of the castle is now comprised of government offices, it is still possible to visit the beautiful State Appartments where the British lords ruling over Ireland used to reside until the Irish government took over Dublin Castle in 1922. Presidential inaugurations still take place in St. Patrick's Hall today. A really nice introduction to the city and its history!
Dublin Castle is open from 10:00 am to 4:45 pm on weekdays, and from 2:00 pm to 4:45 pm on the weekend. Visits are by guided tours only, so you may have to wait a while between the time you get your ticket and the time of your actual visit - if such is the case, you can always go for a nice little walk around the castle's gardens :o) Leave a Comment Phone: 353 01 645-8813Directions: Downtown Dublin, South of the LiffeyWebsite: http://www.dublincastle.ie Other Contact: tours@dublincastle.ie
|
| | |
Visiting Dublin?
Read reviews about Dublin Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
3) the georgian courtyard, look at the statue on the right- with the scales of justice. Justice faces into the castle (most dublin Statues face south) so she has turned her back on the city- Does Justice serve the rulers only? Stand under it and look up- there are holes drilled in the pans of the scales- this is because they used to fill with water, one more than the other, and sit off balance! Unbalanced justice turning its back on the the people- Very prophetic of a colony!
4) the interior. Never been (shame on me!) Be sure to look at the first 3, the fourth I cannot say . Leave a Comment
|
On leaving the park turn left (north). go straight through the junction and .The second right is Ship st little. down here you will see the back gate to Dublin castle. Don't worry if the barrier is closed- it is for cars, not for you.
Dublin Castle can be divided into 4 areas,
1) the coach house and back lawn, site of the original Black Pool, (or Dubh linn in Irish.) The pool was on the river Poddle (which is below you), its dark peaty waters earned it and the city its name. There is a memorial to Veronica Guerin in here. (Veronica Guerin was a journalist who relentlessly investigated the Dublin crimeworld. She was assassinated in 1996. Her murder had precisely the opposite effect it had intended. Public outcry forced rapid government action, which led to the Criminal Assets Bureau being set up-It has been so effective it is used as a model for dealing with organised crime throughout Europe. The person tried but acquitted of her murder is serving a 24 year sentence for Drug traffiking.)
2) The medieval castle, with it's ornate stone carving,
cont'd Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Also at the south bank of the Liffey you can find one of the oldest buildings in Dublin: Dublin Castle. It is situated on top of a hill and it plays an important role in the history of Ireland. For more than 700 years, the country was ruled from here by the English government.
The Castle was built spread over several centuries, with the most remarkable part, the tower, as oldest part, dating from the 13th century. This tower is called Record Tower and looks very rough from outside, made from rough granite. The rest of the Castle looks friendlier and very classy, with styles from all different eras. At the back of the Castle, you will find a nice, round garden with an artistic geometrical figure in the grass. This part of the Castle looks completely different again with bright colours all over.
Today the Irish government for official meetings and dinners uses the Dublin Castle, but the area around the Castle still is free to visit. It is also possible to get a guided tour through some parts of the Castle. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Dublin Castle is situated in the city centre. You can walk inside and around the grounds without having to pay. You can also pay a tour guide that will show you the 14th century round tower, the Garda Police Museum, the Chapel Royal, The undercroft and the State apartments. It really is well worth the visit especially if you like Irish History. Dublin Castle has been a constantly developing architectural entity from its foundation in the 12th century up to the present day. Because of the huge array of buildings on the site, the Castle like Trinity College is subdivided into smaller more accessible divisions.
In the eighteenth century as the Georgian streetscape of Dublin was being developed, the castle was redeveloped also. A young architect believed to be Sir Edward Lovett Pearce redesigned the upper yard using the basic design inherited from Sir William Robinson.
During the 1798 rebellion, the courtyard was used for storing the dead and wounded. In 1803 the Emmet led rising again attempted to capture the castle and failed.
Throughout the nineteenth century, the status quo prevailed and the Castle remained the site of Government in Ireland. All that this entailed, the balls, receptions and dinners continued even through the Great Famine.
In 1916 the castle came under its last attack through which it also survived. It remained in the hands of the British Authorities until it was handed over to the Free State on the 16th January 1922. One of the most infamous events in the Castle's history was in 1907 when the Irish Crown Jewels were stolen from the Bedford Tower. This took place day before a visit by the King and Queen in one of the most heavily fortified areas in Britain or Ireland - the jewels or the thief had never been found.
The Castle is still used for State occasions such as Presidential inaugurations and during Ireland's presidency of the European Union. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
The Dublin castle is a must, at least for me as I love to see castles.
Unfortunately, we only got to see a small part of the castle due to EU being there for 6 months it will be closed.
Can you see the blue and white sculpture? It has meaning for the snake design.
Dublin Castle is located in the heart of the city.
It gets its name from the Dubh Linn or Black Pool (dubh = black). Leave a Comment
|
|
More Dublin Travel Deals STA Travel Official Site
5 Days in Ireland from just $899. Book your Ireland Package Today! 100 Hotels in Dublin
Book your hotel in Dublin online. No reservation fee. Great rates! Dublin Hotels
Smart accommodations in Dublin. Free Internet & Hot Breakfast Bar. Cheap Dublin Hotels
Up to 70% Off Top Dublin Hotels. Save Money & Time. Book Online Now! Sponsored Links
- Jackson Court
29 - 30 Harcourt St, Dublin - La Stampa
35 Dawson Street, Dublin - Marlfield House
Courtown Road, Dublin - OCallaghan Stephens Green Hotel Dublin
St. Stephen's Green, Dublin - Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links - a Summit Hotel
Strand Road, Dublin - O'Donoghue's Guest House
15 Merrion Row Dublin 2, Dublin - Browns Hotel
89 Lower Gardiner St, Dublin - Harrington Hall Guesthouse
70 Harcourt Street, Dublin - Stillorgan Park Hotel
Stillorgan Road, Dublin - Clarion Stephen'S Hall
14-17 Lower Leeson St (formerly Stephen's Hall Hotel & Suites), Dublin - Beacon
Beacon Court, Dublin - Hotel Isaacs
Store St, Dublin - Park Plaza Tyrrelstown Dublin
Church Street, Dublin - Comfort Hotel Parnell Square
Great Denmark Street, Dublin - Lucan Spa Hotel
Main Street, , Dublin, County Dublin 4, Dublin
|
on April 12, 2006
on September 27, 2005
on July 12, 2004
on December 5, 2005
on May 20, 2009
on December 3, 2003
on July 6, 2007
on September 27, 2005
on February 2, 2004
