The 15 Best Ireland History Tours

1.Dublin Historical Centre Food Tour with 8 Food Tastings & Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,718 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $125Our pick

Spend about three hours walking central Dublin with a local guide such as Ann, Lee, Ciaran, Cathy, or Francesca. You’ll make Irish coffee, sample sausage rolls, cheese, an oyster, stew, soda bread, beer, and ice cream, with Dublin stories along the way.

“Lee was a fantastic guide- a little history of Dublin, some fun facts, amazing food! Our family of 4 had the best time!”

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2.2-Hour Historical Walking Tour from Dublin

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 875 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $22

Meet opposite Trinity College for a two-hour Dublin history walk led by a history postgraduate guide. Visit Trinity, Temple Bar, Wood Quay, the Four Courts, Christ Church Cathedral, City Hall, and Dublin Castle. The Book of Kells entry is not included, and the group can reach 25 people.

“Our guide was very knowledgeable and open to questions. We learned so much about the history and culture of Ireland.”

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3.Historical 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour of Dublin

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 865 reviews · from $22

Walk central Dublin with history graduates from Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin. Expect Dublin Castle, Temple Bar, City Hall, the Medieval City, and stories linking the Potato Famine, 1916 Rising, War of Independence, and Peace Process. Guides such as Daragh, Jodie, and Colm add wit and personality.

“excellent tour for someone who has an understanding of the broad brush of Irish history and would like to know a little more about the places and personalities.”

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4.Celtic Boyne Valley & Ancient Sites Day Tour From Dublin

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 865 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $84

Spend about 10 hours exploring ancient Ireland from Dublin with a driver-guide such as Flann, Alex, Barry, or Philip. Visit the Hill of Tara, Trim Castle, Loughcrew Cairns, Fore Abbey, and Fore Distillery. Expect steep grassy paths, changing weather, and lunch at your own cost.

“This is a totally exciting travel experience, Visiting old tomb or graveyard sites. We also stepped into a burnt down Abbey. Some ancient sites that I ever thought of. A real million years old viking experience.”

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5.From Dublin: Celtic Boyne Valley and Ancient Sites Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 618 reviews · from $74

Travel from Dublin into County Meath with an English-speaking guide such as Flann, Alec, Jonathan, or David. See 5,000-year-old tombs, Tara’s royal hill, Trim Castle, Fore Abbey, and enjoy a guided spirit tasting. Bring good shoes: Loughcrew includes a steep climb.

“The day trip to Boyne Valley was amazing! Our guide really knew his stuff and provided us with the most interesting informations regarding Dublin City and its surroundings. Seeing landmarks that are older than the Giza Pyramids was breathtaking! The bus was comfortable, clean and warm. The guide also organised lunch to all the visitors during the visit, which was very handy! He was a smooth driver, concerned about our safety throughout the whole trip. I couldn’t recommend this trip enough!”

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6.Dublin to Cork, Blarney Castle & Cóbh Heritage Centre by train

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 510 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $195

Travel from Dublin Heuston to Cork by reserved train, then continue by coach to Blarney Castle and Cobh. You’ll kiss the Blarney Stone, explore the gardens, visit the Queenstown Story Heritage Centre, and return by rail. Guides such as Norman, Paul, John, and Peter add local stories along the way.

“We had a very enjoyable tour with Norman and Paul they made the tour fun and the wife and I enjoyed it very much”

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7.Dublin: Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship Irish Famine History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 431 reviews · from $16

Step aboard the Jeanie Johnston in Dublin’s North Dock for a 50-minute English tour. Guides such as Steve, Claire, Eoin, and Katrina bring the ship’s famine-era passengers to life, from the open deck to the cramped berths below.

“The guide was very informative, brought the story of the misery the passengers endured into vivid gocus. I got a real sense of life on the Jeanie Johnston”

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8.Dublin’s Haunted History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 345 reviews · from $31

Walk Dublin’s cobbled streets with guides linked to Paranormal Study and Investigation of Ireland. Hear the stories of Darkey Kelly, the Green Lady of St. Audoen’s, the Dolocher, and Hell, with guides such as Darragh, Lydia, Finn, and Kate bringing the city’s darker past to life.

“Our guide was very knowledgeable and had a lot of information about each stop we went to. Very personable and answered our personal questions as well. I honestly wish this tour was longer because it was so interesting!”

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9.Deliciously Dublin: The Artisan Donut Walking & History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 329 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $70

Start with donuts at The Rolling Donut, then walk through Dublin for churros and more treats at three local stops. Guides such as Erin, Jody, Patrick, and Niamh mix city history with friendly stories. The tour ends near the River Liffey, leaving your afternoon free.

“Great informative & enthusiastic guide Niamh. Fab doughnuts 🍩 a very pleasant afternoon wandering the streets of Dublin & experiencing some excellent delights”

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10.Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 201 reviews · 2 hours 9 minutes (approx.) · from $96

Enter Bunratty Castle to the sound of a kilted piper, sip honey mead, watch the Earl and Lady crowned, then enjoy a four-course dinner with unlimited wine, Irish harp, fiddle, songs, and comic medieval drama. Allow about two to two and a half hours.

“It was amazing and if you want a true Irish experience, you should definitely do this, check off the bucket list.”

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11.Walking Tour of Dublin’s Viking/Medieval Quarter with a Viking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 171 reviews · 2 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $36

Meet Bren at Dublin Castle for a 2-hour-45-minute walking tour through the Viking and Medieval Quarter. Expect lively storytelling, Irish myths, Viking history, replica weapons, and photos in full warrior dress. The tour is in English, returns to its starting point, and may run closer to three hours.

“An authentic and engaging history of the early days of Dublin told with humour and great affection for the subject. Highly recommended for the history buffs and great fun.”

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12.The Medieval Mile Museum Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 155 reviews · 55 minutes to 1 hour (approx.) · from $13Best value

Spend about an hour at St. Mary’s Medieval Mile Museum with guides such as Joe, Lyn, or John. See a medieval church, graveyard monuments, archaeological finds, and learn how the Black Death shaped Kilkenny. Guided touring is in English, with unlimited time to explore afterward.

“Had a great time learning about the history of the museum and the surrounding area. Our guide was an excellent speaker.”

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13.Dublin Private Highlights & History of 1916 Easter Rising Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 154 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $135

Spend three hours walking central Dublin with a private local guide such as Eamon, Keelan, Derek, or Ciaran. Expect a flexible route, stories about the 1916 Easter Rising, major sights, local recommendations, and one drink or tasting with the three-hour highlights option.

“Eammon was our guide and he was outstanding!!! We toured Trinity College, temple Square, Grafton Street and the Guinness Factory. We jumped off of the plane from JFK and right into the tour. He kept us moving and interested! I highly recommend!”

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14.Dublin Historical Centre Private Food Tour with 8 Food Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 152 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $429

Spend 3.5 hours tasting eight Irish foods with a private guide, from award-winning Irish coffee and warm sausage rolls to Flaggy Shore oysters, stew, cheese, ice cream, and a secret dish. Dublin guide Karen is praised for local insight and lively storytelling.

“Fun tour with good food. Our tour guide Karen made the whole experience! She is fantastic, knowledgeable and fun, providing lots of regional insight having grown up in Dublin … including at spots along the tour!”

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15.Walk the Medieval Mile with Pat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 132 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $21

Join Pat at 83 High Street for a lively walking tour through Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile. In medieval costume, he connects castles, churches, breweries, prisons, merchants, and local legends with clear storytelling. Expect a small group, plenty of standing, and a tour that may run longer than 90 minutes.

“This tour was absolutely fascinating and incredibly accurate when we did our own research as well. Pat is a true actor and which makes for an engaging history lesson and his knowledge of past and present Kilkenney is extraordinary. We have recalled so many of his stories while we continued our trip!”

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