Dublin Castle

"A short walk from Trinity College, Dublin Castle was built in the 13th century on the site of a Viking settlement. Its medieval tower, with walls up to nearly 16 feet thick, was constructed mainly during the reign of Henry III, King of England and Lord of Ireland. Today, the castle is a government complex as well as a tourist attraction, open daily for self-guided visits and guided tours of the chapel royal, state apartments, undercroft, and heritage center. The Castle Gardens, enclosed by wrought-iron gates with Celtic-inspired spirals, are also popular with visitors." - Travel + Leisure Editors

"A Colorful Collision Between Ancient and Modern Dublin Castle has played a key role in Ireland 's history ever since it was founded by the Normans in the twelfth century, on the site of the original Viking harbor known as Black Pool. ("Dubhlinn" in Irish, this is where the city gets its name.) To get past the Upper Courtyard and see inside the castle rooms you have to go on a 50-minute guided tour, which at time of writing (August 2013) cost only 4.50 euros. The tour is rather a polished barrage of dates, facts, and names, but is extremely interesting if you can keep up, and traces the history of the castle (and by extension, of both Dublin and Ireland as well) from inception right the way through to present day. Much of the tour concentrates on the rule of the British viceroys, and it's fascinating to learn of the role the castle played in the Irish rebellion of 1916. Wandering the lavishly decorated rooms (which are sometimes closer to dizzyingly gaudy than merely ornate), you'll learn other golden nuggets of information, such as why the throne no longer has any feet (hint: Queen Victoria was rather short), what the convex mirrors in the dining room were for, and how writers such as Jonathan Swift and Bram Stoker were linked to the castle. The tour ends with a quick trip to the subterranean Undercroft, the only section which looks like a "proper" castle (rather than a palace). It contains the remains of the thirteenth century Norman Powder Tower, the oldest medieval structure in Dublin. By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Contributor"

"A Colorful Collision Between Ancient and Modern Dublin Castle has played a key role in Ireland 's history ever since it was founded by the Normans in the twelfth century, on the site of the original Viking harbor known as Black Pool. ("Dubhlinn" in Irish, this is where the city gets its name.) To get past the Upper Courtyard and see inside the castle rooms you have to go on a 50-minute guided tour, which at time of writing (August 2013) cost only 4.50 euros. The tour is rather a polished barrage of dates, facts, and names, but is extremely interesting if you can keep up, and traces the history of the castle (and by extension, of both Dublin and Ireland as well) from inception right the way through to present day. Much of the tour concentrates on the rule of the British viceroys, and it's fascinating to learn of the role the castle played in the Irish rebellion of 1916. Wandering the lavishly decorated rooms (which are sometimes closer to dizzyingly gaudy than merely ornate), you'll learn other golden nuggets of information, such as why the throne no longer has any feet (hint: Queen Victoria was rather short), what the convex mirrors in the dining room were for, and how writers such as Jonathan Swift and Bram Stoker were linked to the castle. The tour ends with a quick trip to the subterranean Undercroft, the only section which looks like a "proper" castle (rather than a palace). It contains the remains of the thirteenth century Norman Powder Tower, the oldest medieval structure in Dublin. By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Contributor"

"Dating back to the early 13th century, when Vikings established their headquarters here, this medieval structure stands as a relic of British rule over Ireland. Today the well-preserved estate offers a glimpse into the way previous generations lived and hosts exhibits on art, fashion, and other Irish history artifacts. Tickets for guided tours are recommended, especially if you're eager to see the interior apartments and historic quarters. Whether or not you're headed to the Irish countryside to see Game of Thrones –style castles , the Dublin Castle is a must-see." - Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner

"What’s this place all about? Dating back to the early 13th century, when Vikings established their headquarters at this site, this Medieval structure stands as a relic of the British rule over Ireland. Tickets for guided tours are recommended, especially for those eager to see the interior apartments and historic quarters. Or, you can admire the building from the outside for free. Who else can we expect to see there? History nerds and castle lovers. People from all over the world visit Dublin Castle, many to enrich themselves in Ireland's history, get a taste of the royal life, and some escape Dublin's typically gray weather. Is there a guide involved? Guided 70-minute tours discuss the history of the property; self-guided audio tours are available on the Dublin Castle app. Did it meet expectations? If you're not headed out to the Irish countryside to see Game of Thrones –style castles, or even if you are, the Dublin Castle is a must-see for urban visitors. The well-preserved estate offers a glimpse into the way previous generations lived, as well as hosts supplementary exhibits on art, fashion, and other artifacts from various eras of Irish history. So, then, what, or who, do you think it’s best for? At €7 per adult, a visit to the castle is a budget-friendly way to fill a half-day (or more) of your Dublin itinerary. Anyone with an affinity for castles, interior design, and architecture should visit." - Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner