- Tours›
- Art, Culture, & Historical
Dublin - From Strongbow to the Georgians.
Joined 2023
Dublin began life a a tiny riverside settlement. As the centuries passed it was colonised by the Vikings, the Normans and finally, the English. By the time of the Georgian era the population had risen to one hundred thousand people, who lived mostly between the boundaries of the Royal and Grand canals. The story of what happened in the centuries between the Norman invasion in 1167 and the end of the Georgian era in 1804 sets the scene for how Dublin became what it is today.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
The Molly Malone Statue, Suffolk Street.
The Molly Malone Statue, Suffolk Street.
Tour begins. We learn about the embryonic city. Hear about life 'between the two canals' and how the mythical Molly and her contemporaries played their part in the life of the Georgian city.
Dublin Castle.
The stronghold of the not quite all conquering Norman aristocracy since 1204 and then the centre of British rule in Ireland. We visit the Dyflinn Gardens & The Chester Beatty Library and discover how Dublin can lay claim to at least five different names.
St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Restored by Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness (spurred on by his son-in-law). The cathedral is a medieval architectural gem in the middle of a 21st. century busy city. Was St. Patrick really here nearly 1,600 years ago ? You will know by the time this tour is complete.
St. Stephen's Green (via Jacobs Factory).
Passing by one of the 1916 revolutionary garrison sites we visit the park restored by Sir Arthur Edward Guinness in 1888 for the people of Dublin. This is truly an oasis of calm in a busy city centre.
Merrion Street.
The literary section of this tour. We discover WB Yeats and Oscar Wilde, two titans of the Irish literary world. Their private lives almost eclipse their literary ones. Learn all about them on this leg of the tour.
National Art Gallery.
Dublins finest gallery - one painting (to be revealed on the tour) encapsulates the ferocity and all encompassing power of the Norman invasion. At this location we see how and where the Norman colonisation began in 1169 and how what we have already on our visit to Dublin Castle was initiated by a band of down on their luck Norman military adventurers and an exiled Irish King.
National Art Gallery
Tour ends. At this point I make recommendations for the best eating and drinking venues within easy walking distance.
Ending Point
National Art Gallery.
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee and 3 hours of interesting things you might not know about the colonisers who occupied Ireland for 800 years.
Transportation, food and beverages.
Tour Important Information
Important message from the supplier
Dublin is a busy and noisy city. For that reason, in an effort to deliver a quality experience to my guests, I start my tours between 9am and 11am.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2023
About Tour Guide Brendan K.
Hi there. I'm Brendan. I am a native Dubliner. I was born here many years ago and spent all my life living and working all over the city. I love food, music, sport, history, politics and of course, the odd pint of Guinness.
I retired in 2019 after a 40 year career in the technology industry, working for some of the biggest global names in the business. Because of my passion for all things historical my dream had always been to become a tour guide and I qualified as a official guide in August 2020. I have been taking my guests on journeys around the city since then. I love the idea that when someone tours with me they learn in a fun way about the very long history of Ireland and its people. They also see lots of places and things which I hope I bring to life for them as we stop for a while and discover the many stories to be told about this ancient city.
With me you will learn about how Dublin has changed from the time of the Vikings to the time of Google. There are lots of funny stories to be told about that long period of time – I can assure you of that.
So – if you are visiting Dublin please consider me as your guide. I am sure that if you choose me we will have some fun and interesting hours together as we walk the streets once used by the Vikings and the Normans and now the home of modern day Irish folk.
$200/ per group
More tours by Brendan K.
Dublin - From The Vikings to Silicon Docks.
On this tour, I'll take you through the streets of Ireland's capital city and tell you the story of how it evolved from a small Viking settlement to become one of the world centres of the digital revolution. Did you know that Ireland's history can be reflected in three paintings I have chosen from the collection in our National Art Gallery? Admission to the gallery is free so please allow me to take you through the paintings, their history and their hidden meanings.
Revolutionary Dublin - 1916 to 1923.
Discover the part played by Dublin in Ireland's long struggle to establish an independent republic. The bloody struggle ended in the Irish Republic with the signing of the 'treaty' with the British in 1921, at the end of a particularly bloody and brutal guerilla war against the forces of the British crown. There was further bloodshed in the civil war that followed the signing of the 'treaty' but peace was established in 1923. Discover what happened on this 3 hour tour.
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Dublin
The best of Dublin, in a day, on foot!
This is a walking tour, and aims to showcase some of the wonderful historic sights in our capital city. Dublin is a beautiful city, with it's Georgian terraces and squares being particularly special. As a private tour, this can be curated to reflect your interests and fitness levels.
Dublin - From The Vikings to Silicon Docks.
On this tour, I'll take you through the streets of Ireland's capital city and tell you the story of how it evolved from a small Viking settlement to become one of the world centres of the digital revolution. Did you know that Ireland's history can be reflected in three paintings I have chosen from the collection in our National Art Gallery? Admission to the gallery is free so please allow me to take you through the paintings, their history and their hidden meanings.
Do Dublin Like a Dubliner - Half Day Walking Tour
Chat and stroll around the city with an experienced guide to see the most iconic sites which the Dubliner's hold dear This walking tour will take you on a full tour of the city - North, South, Central, East and West while I give you an overview of Ireland - Our history, population and culture etc as we stroll at leisure. We will have the opportunity to stop for coffees or a pint if you like as we move around the city
Dublin Landmarks Walking Tour
Dublin Landmarks Walking Tour is a three hour walking tour taking in all the great buildings of Dublin City including Dublin Castle, Dubh Linn Gardens, St Patrick's Cathedral, Christchurch Cathedral, Fishamble Street, the River Liffey and Temple Bar. The tour will start at the Molly Malone Statue and Finish at O'Connell Bridge.
