Catherine was entertaining and informative, with a subtle sense of humor. She was flexible in incorporating our special interests and finished the tour with a deeper understanding of Irish history and culture.
Dublin Easter Rising Tour: 1916 and Modern Ireland
Trace 1916 through the sites that shaped modern Ireland
The Finer Details
The Easter Rising in 1916—when Irish republicans launched an armed insurrection to end English rule—was the crucible from which the modern Irish state emerged and looms large in the collective memory of the nation. In this 3-hour Easter Rising Tour with a local historian, you'll dive into this moment and visit several key sites in Dublin that are related to it, including Dublin Castle, the former Houses of Parliament, and the Dublin General Post Office.
Tour Itinerary
You'll begin our Easter Rising Tour at the former Houses of Parliament with an introduction to the complex history of the 1916 Easter Rising—the main actors, the context, and the key events. As you move through the space, you'll pay particular attention to the Act of Union in 1800, which abolished the Irish Parliament and created the opposing concepts of ‘Unionism’ and ‘Nationalism’ that defined Irish politics for the next 100 years. Our guide, a trained historian and lecturer, will take us through the period in a dynamic, conversational way, answering our questions and helping us establish the right framework for understanding the last 200 years of political history in Dublin.
You will then move to Dublin Castle and dive into our discussion about the events of the Rising, specifically. In 1916, the Castle operated as a place of recuperation for soldiers injured in the Great War. It was also the place where the Rebellion’s first casualties lost their lives. We'll talk about divisions in the city of Dublin, but also within families. As you explore the grounds of the Castle, our guide will take us back 100 years as you discuss daily life during the period of the Rising, the loss of lives among men, women, and children, as well as the social unrest that touched every aspect of people's lives.
From here, we'll move up to Grattan Bridge and Millennium Bridge, which are key vantage points to understand how the war unfolded in the city from a military standpoint. As you admire the River Liffey, we'll discuss the location of the various garrisons along the river and the military engagements that took place along the quayside.
Finally, you will alight to the Dublin General Post Office, which served as headquarters for the uprising's leaders. Although the interior has been destroyed, the facade remains. Here we'll talk a bit about the Rising's leadership and how the net tightened on the rebels through Easter week during the British artillery bombardment of the city. We'll pay particular attention to Oliver Sheppard’s bronze casting of the mythological hero Cu Chulainn, and also how W.B. Yeats’ poem ‘The Statues’ tells the story of how this building became a shrine to Irish nationalism.
Sites Visited
- Dublin Castle
- Trinity College
- General Post Office
FAQ
Where do we start? Where does it end? We meet near Trinity College and end near the Dublin General Post Office. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point.
Do we go inside the venues? We go inside the former Houses of Parliament and the Dublin General Post Office. We'll walk through the grounds of Dublin Castle and see it from the exterior.
Do we go inside the venues? We go inside the former Houses of Parliament and the Dublin General Post Office. We'll walk through the grounds of Dublin Castle and see it from the exterior.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Meet the Experts
Where You’ll Go
From iconic landmarks to tucked-away local favorites, these are the places you’ll explore and experience firsthand with your Expert.
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General Post OfficeInteractive museum exploring Ireland’s revolutionary past
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Dublin Castle
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Trinity College
What’s Included As Standard
Here’s a look at what your tour covers, plus anything you’ll want to consider arranging separately, so you can plan with confidence.
Included
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English-speaking expert guideTours led in English, offering you unbroken understanding throughout.
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Intentionally sized groupsA smaller group means more time for conversations and questions.
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Tickets and entrance feesAll entry tickets included (unless clearly stated otherwise).
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HeadsetsHeadsets are included on tours that need them, so every word can be heard.
Not Included
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GratuitiesTips aren’t included, but we encourage tipping as a way to thank your guide after your experience.
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Food and drinkUnless booking a Food & Drink tour or tasting experience, refreshments are not included.
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Transportation to and from the meeting pointUnless noted, pre- and post-tour transport isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
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Hotel pickup or drop-offUnless noted, travel to or from accommodation isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
Where You'll Explore
Make the Most of Your Tour
Some helpful advice for getting the most from your experience, from practical prep to small on-the-day tips.
Dos:
- Wear comfortable footwear
- Check the weather and dress appropriately
- Bring a bottle of water (no glass)
- Feel free to ask your Expert anything
Don'ts:
- Bring firearms or weapons
- Bring sharp objects (e.g. knives, swiss army knives, switchblades, hiking sticks)
- Dress inappropriately to enter religious sites or sacred monuments
Any questions? You can always
contact us.
Don’t just take our word for it
Kevin was a wonderful guide. Having grown up in the United States hearing about the on the nightly news in the 1960s and early 70s I wanted to understand how the Republicans of Ireland came into being and take a deeper dive into Irish history and how it connected to the events of my youth, including the rise of Irish political power within the Democratic Party in my own country. Kevin was an obliging guide full of knowledge and anecdotal information that brought the history alive. I would definitely recommend him and take another tour with him.
Kevin is very knowledgeable and did a wonderful job of bringing to life complicated political and historical topics. We really enjoyed his tour! He was exceptionally capable, professional, warm and friendly.
Let Your Curiosity Shape Your Journey
Join passionate experts on intimate walking tours that reveal a city’s unique stories, spark conversations, and leave you seeing the world—and yourself—a little differently.
Structured, never scripted
Your interests guide your Expert, leading to stories and perspectives that matter to you.
Crafted for conversation
With 12 or fewer guests, ask questions, engage with your Expert, and fully immerse yourself.
Experts, not guides
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