What is the best walking tour Dublin route for history?

The 1916 Rising route through the North City Centre is widely considered the best for history buffs. It covers the most significant sites of the Easter Rising, including the GPO headquarters and the surrender site at Moore Street.

Is the 1916 Rising walk accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes, this route is very accessible as it follows the main city center thoroughfares. The terrain is flat, and the stops like the Garden of Remembrance have ramp access for visitors.

Can I see bullet holes from the 1916 Rising?

Yes, you can still see visible bullet pockmarks on the stone pillars of the General Post Office (GPO) on O'Connell Street. These are preserved as a physical reminder of the intense fighting that took place in 1916.

What is the significance of the Garden of Remembrance?

The Garden of Remembrance is a memorial to those who died for Irish freedom. It is located at Parnell Square, the site where the Irish Volunteers were founded and where 1916 leaders were held after their surrender.

Is it worth visiting Moore Street in Dublin?

Moore Street is absolutely worth visiting for its dual identity as a historic battlefield and a vibrant traditional market. It is the site of the rebels' final headquarters and the location of their ultimate surrender in 1916.

When is the best time to do this history walk?

The best time is weekday mornings around 10:00 AM. This allows you to see the Moore Street market in full swing while avoiding the heaviest evening rush hour crowds in the city center.

Do I need tickets for the GPO?

While you can view the exterior and the bullet holes for free, the GPO Witness History museum inside requires a ticket. The museum offers an immersive look at the Rising using modern technology.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

About This Tour

Step back into the pivotal week of April 1916, when a small group of Irish rebels changed the course of history forever. This self-guided walk invites you to explore the bullet-scarred streets of Dublin's North City Centre, tracing the footsteps of the men and women who stood against the British Empire during the Easter Rising. Unlike a standard walking tour Dublin experience, this audio route allows you to linger at the sites of fierce barricade battles and quiet moments of surrender without the pressure of a group. You will begin at the General Post Office, the nerve center of the rebellion, where the Proclamation of the Irish Republic was first read to a bewildered public. From there, the route winds through the narrow lanes of Moore Street, where the leaders made their final, desperate stand. As you navigate the city, you will see how the events of Easter Week are etched into the very stones of the architecture, from the rebuilt facade of the Four Courts to the symbolic peace of the Garden of Remembrance. This walking route provides a deep dive into the political tensions, the military strategy, and the human stories of 1916. You will discover the role of the Irish Citizen Army at Liberty Hall and see where the fires of revolution literally illuminated the Dublin skyline. For those seeking a guided tour Dublin alternative that offers total flexibility, this neighborhood stroll provides the perfect blend of historical rigor and personal exploration. Whether you are a history buff or a first-time visitor, this journey through Dublin’s revolutionary past offers a profound understanding of how modern Ireland was born on these very street corners.

Highlights

The bullet-scarred pillars of the General Post Office

The historic laneways of the Moore Street battlefield

The symbolic Children of Lir statue at the Garden of Remembrance

Liberty Hall, the birthplace of the Irish Citizen Army

The majestic architecture of the Four Courts and Custom House

The site where the 1916 Proclamation was first read

Tour Stops (6)

General Post Office (GPO)

Standing before the grand Ionic columns of the GPO, you are looking at the heart of the 1916 Rising. On Easter Monday, Patrick Pearse stood outside these doors and read the Proclamation of the Irish Republic. Inside, the rebels established their headquarters, turning a center of communication into a fortress. If you look closely at the pillars today, you can still see the pockmarks left by British bullets and shrapnel. The building was eventually gutted by fire as the British used heavy artillery from the River Liffey. It remains a powerful symbol of Irish independence and a 'must-see' for anyone exploring Dublin’s revolutionary history.

Moore Street

As the GPO became an inferno, the rebel leaders realized they had to evacuate. They tunneled through the terrace of houses here on Moore Street, creating a makeshift headquarters in the final days of the Rising. It was here, in a small cottage, that the decision to surrender was finally made to prevent further loss of civilian life. Today, Moore Street is famous for its traditional street market, but it remains a site of immense historical controversy as activists fight to preserve these buildings as a national monument. Feel the contrast between the bustling market calls and the somber history of the 1916 surrender.

Garden of Remembrance

This peaceful sunken garden is dedicated to all those who gave their lives in the cause of Irish freedom. It is located on the site where several leaders of the 1916 Rising were held overnight after their surrender before being taken to Kilmainham Gaol. The central pool features a stunning mosaic of discarded weapons, following the ancient Celtic tradition of casting weapons into water after a battle. The dominant sculpture of the Children of Lir symbolizes rebirth and resurrection, reflecting the transition of Ireland from a colony to an independent nation. Take a moment here for quiet reflection away from the city noise.

Liberty Hall

Though the current building is a 1960s skyscraper, this site was originally the headquarters of the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union and the Irish Citizen Army. Led by James Connolly, the ICA was a socialist militia formed to protect workers. Before the Rising, a famous banner hung here that read: 'We serve neither King nor Kaiser, but Ireland.' Because of its significance, Liberty Hall was the first building targeted by the British gunboat, the Helga, which sailed up the Liffey to shell rebel positions. It stands as a testament to the labor movement’s crucial role in the fight for Irish independence.

Custom House Quay

The Custom House is an architectural masterpiece of the 18th century, designed by James Gandon. While it is often associated with the 1921 War of Independence—when it was burned to the ground in a massive IRA operation—it represents the administrative power the 1916 rebels sought to dismantle. Standing here by the Liffey, you can visualize the British naval presence during the Rising. The Helga was moored nearby, using its guns to bypass the rebel barricades and shell the city center. The building's meticulous restoration serves as a reminder of Dublin's resilience through decades of revolutionary conflict.

Four Courts

The Four Courts served as a major rebel stronghold during Easter Week, occupied by the 1st Battalion of the Irish Volunteers under Ned Daly. The heavy fighting in the surrounding Northside streets was some of the most intense of the week. However, the building is perhaps even more famous for its role in the subsequent Irish Civil War in 1922, when an explosion destroyed the Public Record Office housed here, vaporizing centuries of Irish genealogical history. As you look at the majestic dome, consider the layers of conflict this site has witnessed, from the idealistic Rising to the tragic divisions of the Civil War.

Frequently Asked Questions

The walk typically takes between 90 and 120 minutes. The distance is approximately 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles), allowing for plenty of time to stop and listen to the history at each landmark like the GPO and Moore Street.