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Dublin · History

From Vikings to the Republic: eight centuries on foot

This walk crosses eight centuries in little more than two kilometres: the city's oldest Norman church, the cathedral founded by a Viking king, the castle from which London ruled Ireland, the first purpose-built two-chamber parliament and the landmarks of the 1916 Easter Rising.

  • 6 stops
  • 2.5 km
  • 2 h
  • Free
Start with GPS Read about this stop 1
The green-domed Bedford Tower in the Upper Castle Yard of Dublin Castle

The route

Stop by stop

  1. 1 St Audoen's ChurchDublin's oldest parish church still in use, with Ireland's oldest bells and the last surviving gate of the medieval walls.
  2. 2 Christ Church CathedralThe cathedral a Viking king founded, Strongbow rebuilt and, seven centuries later, a whiskey distiller saved.
  3. 3 Dublin CastleFor seven centuries the heart of English and British power in Ireland; in 1922, handed over to Michael Collins.
  4. 4 Old Parliament House (Bank of Ireland)The world's first purpose-built two-chamber parliament, which lost its parliament in 1800.
  5. 5 General Post Office (GPO)The Proclamation of the Republic was read outside it in 1916, and the bullet marks are still visible on its columns.
  6. 6 Garden of RemembranceA cross-shaped pool and the Children of Lir turning into swans, on the spot where the Irish Volunteers were founded.

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Start with GPS

Guide mode

Walk it with GPS.

Open guide mode on your phone: you’ll see your position and the distance to each stop, and we’ll let you know when you arrive. Then read or listen.

Start with GPS

  1. Turn on your location

  2. Walk to the spot

  3. Check the photo and listen

What you’ll discover

From Vikings to the Republic: eight centuries on foot

Medieval Dublin

City walls, 15th-century bells and Norman stonework on the hill where Dublin began.

British rule

The Castle and the old Parliament House, symbols of seven centuries of government from London.

The road to independence

From the GPO of 1916 to the garden honouring those who fought for Irish freedom.

Keep exploring

More routes in Dublin

Back to Dublin
Mysteries & legendsMummies, a stolen heart and a cat in the organ MixedBridges, pubs and Georgian squares: Dublin's highlights

Itineraries

How many days do you have in Dublin?

We’ve planned it day by day for you: which routes to walk and in what order, what else to see and where to eat.

1

Dublin in 1 day

All three routes in one full day: the highlights, the history and the legends at dusk.

See the itinerary 2

Dublin in 2 days

A gentler pace: the three routes over two days, plus extra sights and where to eat.

See the itinerary 3

Dublin in 3 days

The city in depth: one route a day, extra museums and neighbourhoods, and a day for good food.

See the itinerary