Dublin: Gravedigger Ghost Bus Tour & Kilmainham Prison

Two Hours in Dublin's Plague Years, Told by Someone Who Buried Them

You board a costumed-guide bus tour at Trinity College and spend two hours moving through Dublin's plague years, stopping at Kilmainham Gaol and Glasnevin Cemetery to hear the stories of the infected, the imprisoned and the gravediggers who buried them. You get a mystery shot included and the chance to buy a pint at one of Ireland's oldest pubs afterward. The tour ends back at College Green by 10 pm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Kilmainham Gaol20m
2. Glasnevin Cemetery Museum20m

Dublin ghost bus tour highlights

• Meet in front of H&M College Green
• Start tour at Trinity College
• Hear plague stories and legends
• Visit Kilmainham Gaol gates
• Learn about gravedigging at Glasnevin Cemetery
• Enjoy mystery drink and optional pint
• Return to meeting point

The experience

The bus pulls up outside H&M on College Green at dusk, and you're standing there with a handful of other people who've decided to spend their evening listening to a costumed gravedigger recount 600 years of Dublin's darkest moments. The guide boards in character, and doesn't break it. Within minutes you're rolling past Trinity College, and the narration shifts backward: no modern city, just the old Augustinian Priory that stood here, the plague house next to it, the infected drinking from the same wells as everyone else because nobody knew better. The bus moves slowly through streets you probably walked that morning, but they sound completely different now.

The Gravedigger ghost bus tour stops at Kilmainham Gaol, where the guide walks you through what happened when plague victims showed up at the gates: how the mayor tried to seal the disease in, how some of the infected were locked away, how many didn't leave. It's not theatrical in a cheap way. It's just the facts, delivered by someone who knows the building's actual history and isn't afraid to let it sit heavy. Then you move to Glasnevin Cemetery, where the guide explains the gravediggers themselves: the ones who buried thousands, the body snatchers who came after dark, the stories that stuck around for centuries. A mystery shot appears at some point (included), and then you're free to grab a pint at the Gravediggers Pub if you want one. It's one of Ireland's oldest family-run bars, and the Guinness is genuinely good, though drinks aren't included in the ticket price.

The whole thing runs two hours, and you're back at the meeting point by 10 pm. It's not a jump-scare tour or a costume party. It's a bus full of people learning what Dublin actually looked like when half the city was dying of plague, told by someone who sounds like they've spent years thinking about it. Arrive at least 10 minutes early. The bus leaves on time, and there's a minimum group size, so occasionally tours do cancel if not enough people book. If that happens, you get offered another date or a full refund.

What’s included

• Local costumed guide leading the 2-hour tour.
• mystery shot.
• stops at Trinity College, Kilmainham Gaol, and Glasnevin Cemetery.
• access to the Gravediggers Pub (drinks purchased separately).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 17:15, 18:15, 19:45 and 20:30

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Under 14: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Bus stop right outside H&M in College Green. Please be there 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Irish Day Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want Dublin's actual dark history (the plague, the prison, the gravediggers) told by someone who knows it, without the jump scares or theme-park theatrics. The fixed 2-hour window and evening departure mean you can plan the rest of your day around it.

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Top questions

What time does the Gravedigger ghost bus tour depart?

The tour departs in the evening from outside H&M on College Green, in front of Trinity College. You need to arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

How long is the tour?

The tour runs for 2 hours total, ending back at the meeting point by 10 pm.

What attractions does the tour visit?

The tour covers Trinity College (where it starts), Kilmainham Gaol, and Glasnevin Cemetery. It also includes a stop at the Gravediggers Pub.

Is the mystery shot included in the ticket price?

Yes, a mystery shot is included. Drinks at the Gravediggers Pub are not included in the ticket price.

Is there a minimum age requirement?

Yes, the minimum age is 14 years old.

What happens if the tour is cancelled?

Tours may be cancelled after confirmation if there aren't enough passengers to meet minimum group requirements. If this happens, you'll be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

Can I use public transport to get to the meeting point?

Yes, public transportation options are available near the meeting point on College Green.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited fitness?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, as you spend most of the time on the bus with brief stops at each location.