Dublin Castle is the heart of historic Dublin. In fact the city gets its name from the Black Pool - 'Dubh Linn' which was on the site of the present Castle garden.

The Castle stands on the ridge on a strategic site at the junction of the River Liffey and its tributary the Poddle, where the original fortification may have been an early Gaelic Ring Fort.

Later a Viking Fortress stood on this site - a portion of which is on view to visitors at the 'Undercroft'.

The south range houses the magnificent State Apartments that were built as the residential quarters of the viceregal court. They are now the venue for Ireland's Presidencies of the European Community, Presidential Inaugurations and State Functions.

The State Apartments, Undercroft and Chapel Royal are open to visitors.

Opening Times:

Monday-Friday 10am-4.45pm
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays: 2pm-4.45pm
Closed on certain days in the Easter and Christmas period. (Please telephone 01 - 645 8813 to check the exact dates).

PLEASE NOTE: As Dublin Castle is a government building, parts of it may close to the public at no notice on certain occasions.

Facilities:

The Vaults Restaurant and Craft Shop are also open to visitors.

How to Get There:

By foot: 5 minutes walk from Trinity College en route to Christ Church.

By bus: 77, 77A, 56A and 49 (from Eden Quay), 123 (from O'Connell Street) stop at Palace Street Gate.