Dublin History Walking Tour – 1916 Easter Rising

Walking Tour

3 hrs

Dublin

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

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

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

Guests organize pre- and post-tour transport themselves - 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.

Map of Modern Irish History Tour: The 1916 Easter Rising general meeting point area

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.

104 Reviews

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

Patrick Dec 28, 2025

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.

Kathleen Dec 22, 2025

Kevin was super knowledgeable and we learned so much!! We were lucky to have him two days in a row for literature as well!

Renske Nov 30, 2025

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