Skip to content
Vacantier

Activity Dublin, Ireland

Kilmainham Gaol History, 1916 Rising and GPO Museum Walking Tour

5.0 (5 reviews) 2 h 30 min Free cancellation
Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Kilmainham Gaol History, 1916 Rising and GPO Museum Walking Tour

About this activity

Follow an expert guide through the heart of Dublin, tracing the 1916 Easter Rising while uncovering the fascinating Kilmainham Gaol history, one of Ireland's most important landmarks in the story of Irish independence.

This Dublin walking tour follows the rebellion in chronological order, revealing the vital role of Kilmainham Gaol, where Patrick Pearse and James Connolly were imprisoned before their executions, events that transformed public opinion and accelerated Ireland's fight for freedom.

Explore Dublin City Hall and discover how the Irish Volunteers and Citizen Army occupied key positions as British forces fought to regain control. The tour ends at the iconic General Post Office (GPO), headquarters of the Rising, with included admission to the award-winning GPO Witness History Museum, where immersive exhibits bring this defining chapter of Dublin history to life, including that of Kilmainham Gaol.

Private and Luxury Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Ports of Call Tours Shore Excursions Best Conversion Low Supplier Cancellation Rate

At a glance

Duration
2 h 30 min
Confirmation
Instant confirmation
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group
Up to 20 people
People per booking
1–9
Guide
English, French, Spanish
Operated by
LetzGo City Tours

Ages: Children (4–12 years) · Adults (13–99 years)

What is included

Included

  • Included: Immersive GPO Witness History Museum experience
  • Included: Expert storytelling connecting history, politics, and place
  • Included: Dublin under British rule and revolutionary resistance & The role of civilians during Easter Week
  • Included: Learn about Kilmainham Gaol and its significance in Irish history
  • Included: City Hall & its civic role in revolutionary Dublin, O’Connell St as the epicenter of the rebellion
  • Included: The causes and consequences of the 1916 Rising & Key leaders: Pearse, Connolly & Plunkett

Not included

  • Not included: Transportation / Guide Gratuities

Itinerary

  1. Dublin Castle

    Passing by

    Step into the center of Irish history on a guided exterior tour of Dublin Castle. From its 13th-century Viking foundations to the first shots of the 1916 Easter Rising, explore 700 years of power, intrigue, and rebellion. Walk the Upper and Lower State Yards with an expert guide and visit the legendary site where the first Vikings landed in 795 AD. Entry to the state apartments is not included. Fully guided-10 minute exterior visit of the Castle and the Gardens.

  2. City Hall

    Passing by

    Enjoy a guided 10-minute exterior visit of Dublin City Hall, a masterpiece of 18th-century Georgian architecture and a silent witness to the 1916 Easter Rising. Originally the Royal Exchange, this Dame Street landmark transitioned from a center of commerce to a site of revolutionary occupation. Explore the breathtaking Rotunda and discover the secrets of Dublin's municipal heart with an expert guide.

  3. Stop 3

    10 min

    The story of Irish Parliament, limited self-rule, and the Act of Union. Continue your journey through Dublin’s beating heart, College Green—once home to Parliament and still home to Trinity College.

  4. Trinity College Dublin

    10 min

    Learn about the Protestant Ascendancy, education, class, and cultural identity. Stop at Trinity College to hear your guide share stories of its significance and rich history.

  5. Stop 5

    10 min

    Discover the architectural marvel of O’Connell Bridge, the only bridge in Europe that is nearly as wide as it is long. Originally built in 1791 as the narrow, humped "Carlisle Bridge," it was transformed into the grand thoroughfare you see today to honor the "Liberator," Daniel O'Connell. Explore its intricate keystones and hear the stories of the city it connects.

  6. Ha'penny Bridge

    10 min

    Step onto the most iconic bridge in Ireland: the Ha'penny Bridge. Built in 1816, this elegant cast-iron pedestrian crossing was the first of its kind in the country. Discover the story of the "halfpenny toll" that gave the bridge its nickname, admire its historic Shropshire ironwork, and capture the perfect photo as you cross between the historic Northside and the vibrant streets of Temple Bar.

  7. Moore Street

    10 min

    Walk the "Street of the Last Stand" and discover the site of the final surrender of the 1916 Easter Rising. Trace the dramatic escape route from the burning GPO to Moore Street, where rebels tunneled through terraced houses in a desperate bid for survival. Experience the poignant location where Irish leaders finally laid down their arms, ending a week that changed history.

  8. Stop 8

    10 min

    Stand at the epicenter of the 1916 Easter Rising: O'Connell Street. Explore the iconic General Post Office (GPO), the rebel headquarters where the Proclamation of the Irish Republic was first read. Trace the bullet holes still visible in the stone and relive the dramatic week that transformed this grand thoroughfare into a frontline battlefield.

  9. GPO Museum

    one hour Admission included

    Immerse yourself in the epicenter of Irish history with a visit to the General Post Office (GPO) on Dublin’s iconic O’Connell Street. This isn’t just a stop for a photo—it’s a journey into the heart of the 1916 Easter Rising. Whether you are a history enthusiast or a first-time visitor to Dublin, this experience offers a profound look at the events that shaped modern Ireland. After the guided introduction, step inside with your included timed-entry tickets. This award-winning, immersive museum allows you to dive deeper into the narrative at your own pace.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

  • "MEETING TIME: 15 minutes before the scheduled start time.

    MEETING PLACE: Chez Max, 1 Palace St, Dublin

    MEETING POINT: Meet your guide directly outside the restaurant. The guide will have a company name Checkin Sign "

End point

Using your ticket

" You cannot enter the venue with this voucher.

  • To participate in your tour, you must first check-in with the guide 15 MINUTES BEFORE DEPARTURE.
  • You can only access the venues as part of your organised group tour. Late arrivals cannot be accommodated and missed tours or tickets cannot be refunded or rescheduled.

Health & Safety:

  • This tour is not suitable for guests who require any device to assist with mobility.
  • Participants should be in good health, consult first with your doctor if you have any medical condition or are not used to regular exercise.
  • Wear comfortable shoes as this tour involves a fair amount of walking.
  • Operates in all weather conditions.
  • Anybody under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by somebody aged 18 years or older."

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel You get back
At least one day before 100%
Less than a day before 0%

Good to know

  • Public transportation options are available nearby

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

  • Please wear comfortable shoes as this tour involves a fair amount of walking, including over uneven surfaces, cobblestones, hills, inclines, declines and stairs.

  • Participants should be in good health - consult first with your doctor if you have any medical condition or are not used to regular exercise.

  • Wheelchairs, motorised scooters or any other device to assist mobility are not recommended, as we cannot guarantee: that all footpaths/sidewalks/curbs will have suitable ramps.

  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.

  • Anybody under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by somebody aged 18 years or older.

Options

  • Tour in Spanish

    Spanish Speaking Guide: For Spanish Speaking Guests

  • Tour in English

    English Speaking Guide

  • Tour in French

    French Speaking Guide: For French Speaking Guests

Traveller ratings

5.0 out of 5 · 5 reviews
5
100%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%

Activities, prices and reviews are from Viator. Booking and payment happen on Viator; Vacantier may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Kilmainham Gaol History, 1916 Rising and GPO Museum Walking Tour

Pick a day to see the times and the price

Necessary cookies keep the site running and cannot be switched off. With your consent we also load Google Analytics, which tells us how the site is used, and our affiliate partners' scripts (Travelpayouts, Kiwi.com), which set cookies to credit us with bookings made through us. Details in the Cookie Policy.

  • Necessary

    The session, form protection, signing in, your chosen currency and this choice. The site does not work without them.

    Always on
  • Analytics

    Google Analytics. Counts visits and which pages and offers are used, so we know what to improve. It never receives your name, email or account.

  • Marketing and affiliate

    The Travelpayouts scripts and the Kiwi.com flight search. They set their own cookies, through which the partner knows you came from Vacantier.