Dublin: 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour with Historian Guide

Summary

Stories of the Easter Rising come alive on Dublin’s streets

You’ll walk through Dublin’s revolutionary heart with a local historian, holding the 1916 Proclamation in your hands as stories unfold at City Hall, Dublin Castle and the GPO. Expect laughter mixed with solemn moments—and leave feeling like you’ve touched something real beneath the city’s surface.

What’s the experience like?

I never expected to start my day in Dublin clutching a copy of the 1916 Proclamation, but there I was, standing outside the International Bar with a bunch of strangers who all looked just as curious (and maybe a bit chilly) as me. Lorcan, our guide—he’s got that kind of dry Irish wit that sneaks up on you—handed out papers and kicked things off with stories about the famine and what led up to the Easter Rising. I’ll admit, I thought I knew a bit about Irish history, but listening to him talk about those years made it feel way more real than anything I’d read before. The city felt different after that—like every stone had something to say.

We wandered over to City Hall first, where Lorcan pointed out bullet holes and told us how the Irish Citizen Army took over the place during Easter Week. There was this faint smell of rain on old stone (classic Dublin), and for a second it was easy to picture chaos right there on those steps. We didn’t stick to any strict route—Lorcan joked he likes to keep things fresh for himself too—but we hit all the big spots: Dublin Castle, where British rule sat heavy; Daniel O’Connell’s statue with its scars from gunfire; and then finally the GPO. Standing in front of it, hearing how Pearse read out that Proclamation—I mean, you could almost hear echoes if you let yourself.

It wasn’t all heavy stuff either. Someone tried pronouncing “Poblacht na hÉireann” and Lorcan just grinned—“Not bad for a first go!” he said (I’m still not sure if he meant it). There were moments when people asked really sharp questions about Michael Collins or the Civil War and Lorcan would pause, think, then answer in this way that made you realize he’s spent years walking these streets and thinking about what they mean. At one point we stopped at Big Jim Larkin’s statue and an old man passing by tipped his cap at us—no idea if he knew what we were doing or just liked seeing people pay attention.

The whole thing took about two hours but honestly felt shorter. By the end, my feet were tired but my head was buzzing with new stories—and yeah, I still think about standing on that bridge looking at Four Courts while Lorcan explained how it all unraveled during the Civil War. If you’re even half-interested in Irish history or just want to see Dublin through someone else’s eyes, this 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour is worth it. Just don’t expect everything to make perfect sense—some days here are like that.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour in Dublin

• Meet at The International Bar
• Introduction to Easter Rising background
• Visit City Hall and discuss 1916 Rising
• Stop at Dublin Castle and discuss history
• View Four Courts from bridge and discuss Civil War
• See Daniel O'Connell's Memorial and bullet holes
• Stop at Big Jim Larkin statue
• Visit GPO and learn about Easter 1916 events
• Optional visit to Moore Street last stand site
• Possible stop at Old Parliament and Trinity College

Top questions

How long does the 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours from start to finish.

Where does the 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour begin?

The tour starts at The International Bar in central Dublin.

Which sites are included on this walking tour?

You visit places like City Hall, Dublin Castle, O’Connell’s Memorial, Big Jim Larkin’s statue, Four Courts (viewed from a bridge), and finish at the General Post Office (GPO).

Is prior knowledge of Irish history required?

No prior knowledge is needed; everything is explained by your guide.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the walking tour is wheelchair accessible.

Are children allowed on this walking tour?

Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.

Who leads the 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour?

The tour is led by Lorcan Collins or another professional historian guide.

Does this tour include public transportation?

No public transportation is included; however, options are available nearby for getting to or from the meeting point.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided two-hour walk through central Dublin with a professional historian guide. You’ll receive a copy of the 1916 Proclamation plus explanatory literature at The International Bar before setting off together for key sites like City Hall, Dublin Castle and the GPO—all within easy reach on foot.