All Destinations Ireland & Northern Ireland Dublin

Modern Irish History Tour: The 1916 Easter Rising

Delve into history and discover the origins of modern Ireland

Walking Tour
3 hrs
Dublin
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.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Book a Tour
Meet the Experts
Arran Local Guide Arran
Jennifer Local Guide Jennifer
Catherine Local Guide Catherine
Francesca Local Guide Francesca
Kevin Historian Kevin
Liam Historian, Local Guide Liam
Hogan Local Guide Hogan
Dairine Local Guide Dairine
Adam Local Tour Guide Adam
John Local Guide John
Ruairi Local Guide Ruairi
Cat Historian Cat
Coral Local Guide Coral
Des Local Guide Des
Jim Local Guide Jim
Peter Local Guide Peter
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.

  • Dublin Castle
  • Trinity College
  • General Post Office
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
  • English-speaking expert guide
    Tours led in English, offering you unbroken understanding throughout.
  • Intentionally sized groups
    A smaller group means more time for conversations and questions.
  • Tickets and entrance fees
    All entry tickets included (unless clearly stated otherwise).
  • Headsets
    Headsets are included on tours that need them, so every word can be heard.
Excluded
  • Gratuities
    We encourage tipping as a way to thank your guide after your experience.
  • Food and drink
    Refreshments are only included during a tour when clearly noted.
  • Transportation to and from the meeting point
    Unless noted, pre- and post-tour transport isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
  • Hotel pickup or drop-off
    Unless noted, travel to or from accommodation isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
Where You'll Explore
Map of Modern Irish History Tour: The 1916 Easter Rising general meeting point area

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

105 Reviews

Great tour Kevin is super knowledgeable! Would have loved a little sheet on the key players in the revolution and after!

Kevin was an enthusiastic and kind tour guide. His knowledge came through in an accessible and captivating way. While he spoke for nearly three hours straight we followed every step because of how interesting he made it. From the arrival of James I in Dublin to Churchill’s instructions to Michael Collins to eject the rebels from Four Courts we learned so much. And he even provided us with Yeats poems about the events. Wonderful guide!!

Photo Shared by Patrick with their review

Our private tour was awesome!! Spent a lovely morning walking around Dublin learning about specific sites as well as the Easter Uprising. Liam is an incredible (and hilarious) storyteller. He made our stay in Dublin extra special. I highly recommend this tour with Liam as your guide.

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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 ten or fewer guests, ask questions, engage with your Expert, and fully immerse yourself.

Experts, not guides

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Learn about Ireland’s Struggle for Independence: A Deep Dive into the 1916 Easter Rising

Step back into a pivotal moment in Irish history with our Easter Rising Tour. This immersive experience takes you through the streets of Dublin, tracing the footsteps of the 1916 Easter Rising, a key event that led to Ireland’s fight for independence. Guided by an expert in modern Irish history, this tour offers a profound understanding of the events, places, and people who played crucial roles in shaping Ireland's future.

To prepare for your journey, we recommend watching our lecture on the Book of Kells, which provides additional context to Ireland's rich cultural and historical tapestry.

This Easter Rising Tour is more than just a historical walk—it’s an opportunity to connect with the spirit of Ireland’s struggle for freedom. Book your tour today and delve into the powerful history that has defined modern Ireland, ensuring a memorable and enlightening experience in Dublin.