Avoid the crowds and explore Irish history in peace on this Book of Kells and Dublin Castle exterior tour. Visit the Trinity College Library, home to the famous Book of Kells—widely considered among the most important of all Ireland’s ancient treasures. Listen as your guide brings medieval Ireland to life, shedding light on the Book of Kells’ profound historical significance. Afterward, enjoy a guided walking tour around Dublin Castle’s mighty exterior. Visit the gardens and yards, and learn of the castle’s role as court, fortress, treasury, and jail.

Book of Kells and Dublin Castle exterior tour
Enjoy timed access to Trinity College Library and see the Book of Kells without the crowds
Learn about the artistry, meaning, and symbolism of this revered illuminated manuscript from an expert guide
Tour the grounds of Dublin Castle, hearing fascinating stories of its years as a prison, military fortress, and the seat of English Administration in Ireland

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

See the Book of Kells without the crowds with early-access admission to the Trinity College Library.

What's Included

Tour is led by an expert english speaking local guide
Entry to the College Treasury to view the 9th Century Book of Kells
Entry to the Oldest Vaulted Library in Europe
Visit to the 16th Century Trinity College campus
Entry to "Turning Darkness into Light" Exhibition
Exterior tour of the13th Century Dublin Castle

Transportation
Interior visit to Dublin Castle

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Trinity College Dublin
College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
MEETING TIME: 15 minutes before departure MEETING PLACE: Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2 MEET YOUR GUIDE: Between the iron railings and the large wooden doors, at the College Green entrance. ***FOLLOW WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS AS VIATOR MAP DOES NOT CORRECTLY SHOW THE MEETING POINT***

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

The Book of Kells & Old Library

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Trinity College Dublin

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Dublin Castle

50 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Molly Malone Statue

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
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.
Wear comfortable shoes as this tour involves 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.
THIS VOUCHER IS NOT AN ENTRY TICKET. To participate in your tour, you must first check-in with the guide. You can only access the venues as part of your organised group tour.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

It is worth the investment to skip the lines because even the "limited" lines were LONG.

Remember to always have the umbrella at hand in Ireland.

Infact we were the first group to get access and it was well worth getting up early for this event.

Reviews

4.5

2,053 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 2,053 reviews

A history of Ireland performed by Neil McManus

Scott_P, Sept 2023

The Guide was exceptional. He was knowledgeable, engaging and a talented teacher. It was pouring rain the entire duration of the tour, but the skill of the Guide to teach using humor kept me enthralled.

Great tour. We saw the...

Karen_B, Sept 2023

Great tour. We saw the Book. It was fascinating. Neil did a great job as our tour guide. I would do it again.

Not all "by the book" - a local's view of Dublin

Brittany_C, Sept 2023

This was a wonderful way to not only see the highlighted stops on the tour, but also get a nice idea of the surrounding area by walking through it. Brian was not only knowledgeable with the Trinity College & Castle portion, he also pointed out many nice places to shop and eat at. (and provided a nice print out of recommendations) This is a nice tour to start with if you have just gotten into town and will give you ideas during the rest of your stay!

Charming & Informative

Cyan_M, Sept 2023

James was a most excellent tour guide, sharing lots of interesting historical facts in a charming (and not overwhelming) manner. He also managed to keep the group together, despite some who were young and spry and a few older folks who weren't able to walk so fast. The Book of Kells exhibit was very interesting and Dublin Castle wasn't too far away. Highly recommend at the beginning of your Dublin visit, for an overview of Irish history and detail on Trinity College and Dublin Castle.

Book ok Kells

LoriA_W, Sept 2023

The tour was really interesting and informative. The book of Kells and Long Room were historical and meaningful to see. Our guide Antonio was amazing and despite very nasty weather he kept our attention with his passion for his tour and the history.

Great tour!

Shona_B, Sept 2023

Antonio was a fantastic guide and we really enjoyed this tour! So interesting and a must if you are in Dublin.

Could not have wished for a better guide.

David_W, Sept 2023

Alan was marvelous. I want to keep him for the two weeks we’ll be in country. Top notch people skills. Firm grasp of Irish history. Very warm and gregarious.

Very interesting

Gretchen_G, Sept 2023

Thank you....great little tidbits too on local places to go! I really appreciate a locals insight. The historical background was fantastic.

Not as we expected

Beverly_M, Sept 2023

Alan was an outstanding tour guide and really brought history to life! But this tour was advertised as skip the line, see the Book without crowds, and a guided tour of the Long Room and the Book of Kells. In reality, our group stood in line with all ticket holders, and our tour guide was not permitted to guide us - we explored on our own. We could have had the same experience without booking a tour. The second part of the tour, Dublin Castle, was appropriately advertised as an exterior tour. Alan was phenomenal at telling the history and significance of the castle. We thoroughly enjoyed it!

A worthwhile experience!!!

Wanda_I, Sept 2023

Our guide Roger was fantastic! He was so knowledgeable and had great stories to enhance the experience! Was a great tour and a great way to end our trip! Highly recommend and ask for Roger if you can!!!

Viewing the Book of Kells...

Gerald_H, Sept 2023

Viewing the Book of Kells and learning about the Dublin Castle. Neil was our guide - very good but difficult to hear with the traffic: buses, trains. Needed a microphone.

The Book of Kells tour is a must.

Karen_T, Sept 2023

Richard was our guide for this tour. He was very knowledgeable and his great sense of humor was a bonus. To see the Book of Kells was amazing aa well as the library. We did not tour the inside of Dublin Castle but Richard provided a great deal of it’s history.

Great Book of Kells Tour!

Dennis_S, Sept 2023

Alan with the Yellow Hat did a great job with our tour. He was very knowledgeable and his delivery was very entertaining. I’d highly recommend him and this Book of Kells tour!

Historical walking tour

Robert_V, Sept 2023

Being on campus in a centuries old College was awesome. The old library was captivating. Our guide Roger was a great character and an amazing historian. A bonus was his personal recommendations for places to eat. Gallaghers Boxty was fantastic!

Day Tripping With Neil McCourt

Delores_L, Sept 2023

Neil McCourt was outstanding. He sang for us impersonated actors, and was very funny! Neil was very patient with the slow walkers!

First rate!

Teresa_B, Sept 2023

Learning about the ancient religious texts, including the Book of Kells, and seeing the fascinating Long Library. Our guide Shane made sure everyone was involved and was knowledgeable and entertaining.

A great tour to get local experience.

Karen_B, Sept 2023

Our guide was very pleasant and knowledgeable! Brian shared personal experiences about the area in addition to details of the College and the Library.

A wonderful day exploring Dublin and Book of Kells.

Elizabeth_W, Sept 2023

Antonio gave an amazing tour! We walked through Dublin to Dublin Castle, and he gave many historical details that helped us understand the city’s history. He also gave us information regarding the culture of Dublin. He reviewed significant history regarding the book of Kells, and then we were able to enter Trinity College to see it. He made the information come alive! Thank you, Antonio, for a wonderful, engaging tour!

Pick This One!

Victoria_W, Sept 2023

Wonderful Experience All Around! This is what you should book if you want to see the Book of Kells & get a short tour around Dublin!

Amazing tour. Well worth every dime spent!

Ronnie_M, Sept 2023

Alan the yellow hat was absolutely awesome! He was very informative and really helped you grasp the significance of what you were about to see. It made it much easier to appreciate the meaning behind each site. I would highly recommend!

...