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Dublin - From The Vikings to Silicon Docks.
Joined 2023
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.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Royal Dublin Fusiliers Memorial Arch.
Royal Dublin Fusiliers Memorial Arch.
Tour begins. We will learn about the history of this city area. From a former leper colony to the fashionable location it is today - we will learn about how that came to be.
Arthur Edward Guinness Statue - Lord Ardilaun.
The Guinness story is not just about the iconic black porter. The history of the Guinness family is all about philanthropy and an exceptional care for their workforce. All will be revealed at this tour stop.
St. Stephens Green South.
A walk through the park reveals lots about the people who have lived near and used the park from medieval times to the present day. Once the preserve of a wealthy few, the park is now a busy city centre amenity for everyone.
Shelbourne Hotel.
Dublin's most famous hotel has many stories to tell. What was Adolf Hitler's half brother doing in the hotel in the years before WWII, and what mischief did he get up to ? All will be revealed.
Merrion Row.
The Hugenot Cemetery is hidden behind locked gates today but its history goes back a long way. There's even a connection with Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe. What could that be ?
Irish Parliment Buildings.
The seat of the modern Irish parliment - built by a member of the famous 'Geraldine' family - direct descendants of the first Norman invaders. Why did The Duke of Leinster build this iconic palace for himself and his family ?
Merrion Square.
A visit to the Oscar Wilde memorial. Oscar's only problem in life was that he was born at the wrong time. Let me explain why, when we visit his memorial in lovely Merrion Square Park.
National Art Gallery.
Dublins finest gallery - full of fabulous works of art. Three paintings that tell the story of Ireland from the Norman invasion right up to the War of Independence in the early 1920's. I will show you these works of art and take you through their stories.
The Mansion House.
Home of the Lord Mayor of Dublin. Who are the most famous 'freemen' of Dublin ? What right are bestowed on 'freemen' ? Have there been many famous Lord Mayors ? All waiting to be revealed on this last leg of the tour.
Royal Dublin Fusiliers Memorial Arch.
Tour ends. At this point I can suggest some great eating and drinking establishments - all within a few metres of the last tour stop.
Ending Point
Royal Dublin Fusiliers Memorial Arch.
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 fun and interesting things you might not know about Ireland, Dublin, and the Irish in general !!
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 Strongbow to the Georgians.
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.
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.
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