No trip to Dublin will be complete without a visit to Dublin Castle. One of the oldest buildings in the city, the castle dates back to 1204 and it is a building that has been continually used ever since. Right in the heart of the city centre, it is easily found, even for those stayign outside of the city.
The castle is now home to conferences and other events but for a sense of the history of the castle, a tour of the state rooms is a must. These rooms are finely decorated and there are regular guided tours. The state rooms are located in the south range of the castle and originally they where the residential home of Viceregal court. Most of Ireland’s ceremonial events take place here, such as the Presidential Inaugurations.
Other parts of the castle that are open to the public include the Medieval Undercroft and the Chapel Royal and both of these are worth a visit. The castle is open for much of the year, closing only at Christmas and on New Year’s Day, but opening hours do vary occasionally so check ahead before any visit