Famous Irish Castles Half-Day Tour

The Famous Irish Castles Tour is a private luxury experience that takes you on a captivating journey through Ireland’s rich medieval heritage and stunning coastal scenery. Beginning with convenient pickup from your hotel, you’ll travel in comfort and style to your first stop: the magnificent Malahide Castle, a 12th-century fortress surrounded by lush gardens and steeped in over 800 years of history. Next, you’ll visit the fascinating Swords Castle, once the residence of the first Anglo-Norman Archbishop of Dublin and a hidden gem full of character.

The tour continues to the picturesque seaside village of Howth, where you’ll explore the charming harbour and enjoy views of Ireland’s Eye. From there, you’ll embark on the breathtaking scenic drive from Howth to Sutton. This route offers spectacular views of the Irish Sea, Baily Lighthouse, Red Rock, and Burrow Beach, with plenty of opportunities for memorable photos.

We will be able to recommend a place for a light lunch.

Perfect for history enthusiasts or those seeking a peaceful escape from the city, the Famous Irish Castles Tour combines culture, heritage, and natural beauty into a unique and unforgettable day trip.

Pick up time at your hotel: 8:30 am

Drop-off: 2:30 pm

To skip the queues, we recommend using our concierge service. With this option, we can handle purchasing of your Malahide Castle admission tickets for you. If you choose to proceed, please email us after booking this tour online, and the cost of the tickets will be charged separately. The price per person is €17.

Duration: Half-Day
Suitable for: All age groups
Group: 1-3 (larger groups, contact us)

Sites we will visit

Malahide Castle

Located in County Dublin, this castle has a history spanning nearly 800 years. Originally built in the late 12th century, it became the home of the Talbot family in 1185, who lived there almost continuously until 1975. The castle was expanded and remodelled over the centuries, reflecting various architectural styles. It played significant roles during key historical events, including the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, where 14 members of the Talbot family were killed. In the 20th century, the castle and its gardens were sold to the Irish state. Today, Malahide Castle is a popular tourist attraction, showcasing its history and heritage.

Swords Castle

Located in the heart of Swords, County Dublin, this is a remarkable medieval structure dating back to around 1200 AD. Built by John Comyn, the first Anglo-Norman Archbishop of Dublin, it served as a manorial residence rather than a military fortress. The castle features high stone walls, a chapel, and restored buildings that showcase its historical significance. Though it fell into disrepair over the centuries, restoration efforts have preserved its unique character. Today, Swords Castle stands as a cultural landmark and popular tourist attraction, offering insight into Ireland’s Norman heritage and the architectural styles of the medieval era.

Howth and Scenic Route

Howth Village is a charming coastal spot just outside Dublin, known for its scenic harbour, traditional food, and historic charm. With colourful boats, traditional restaurants, and a lively market, it offers a perfect blend of tradition and beauty. It’s a favourite destination for day-trippers seeking authentic Irish coastal life.

The scenic drive from Howth to Sutton offers one of Dublin’s most breathtaking coastal routes. Winding past cliffs, sea views, and rugged landscapes, this short journey showcases panoramic vistas of Dublin Bay, Ireland’s Eye, and the iconic Baily Lighthouse. The road hugs the coastline, passing by Red Rock, Burrow Beach, and charming Georgian homes, all framed by the dramatic curve of the peninsula. On clear days, you can spot seals in the bay and watch sailboats glide past. This route captures the timeless beauty of Ireland’s eastern shoreline in minutes.

Includes

Private tour in a luxury car
Fully-qualified tour guide

Excludes

Meals
Admission tickets for Malahide Castle

Price: €490

Plus booking fee

You will get a full refund if you cancel your tour up to 7 days before your tour date

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Got A question?

We’re all ears! Give us a call or drop us an email and our knowledgeable team will be happy to help you.

Email Us: [email protected]
Call Us: +353 87 6493417

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Pick up at your hotel in counties Dublin, Meath, or Louth at 8.30 am.

End point

After the tour we will drive you back to your accommodation. Drop-off at 2.30 pm.

Breaks

Breaks when requested.

We will schedule time for a light lunch.

Famous Irish Castles and Monasteries Tour Showcase

Experiences of Our Guests

Superb Day Tour, Highest Recommendation

We were returning from a trip to Asia and only had one day to spend in Ireland. At the last minute, I booked a day tour with Owen to the Cliffs of Mohr and Bunratty Castle. My wife and I have traveled to 15 countries and I can honestly say that Owen is the BEST tour guide we have ever experienced. He made our single day in Ireland an unforgettable experience. Owen is extremely knowledgeable, providing great insights about the places we visited and Ireland as a whole. The best thing was he made us feel so comfortable from the first moment. It felt more like we were family than customers. The time en route passed quickly because of the great conversation and wealth of information.

Mar 2025 • Couples

Burgoyne Hughes

Great Driver & Tour Guide

We had a private tour to a couple places we wanted to go and Owen was a great driver, very friendly and very knowledgeable about the country. We went to Rock of Cashel and to Jerpoint Park and it was a great day—he even took us to a local grocery store on our way back to Dublin. His vehicle is so comfortable, so much so that I let my husband ride in the front and we both had great views and were quite cosy. I highly recommend hiring Owen for any private tour you need in the area. You will not regret it. In addition, and as a bonus, he is a super nice person.

Oct 2023 • Couples

AliciaRJ

Went to New Grange and the Hill of Tara with a few little suprises along the way!

I had an incredible time on my tour with Owen. He was friendly, very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. My expectations were far exceeded on my tour and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to tour the incredible history and magic of Boyne Valley.

Jun 2024 • Solo

Roxie H

Phenomenal Tour!

Owen was a phenomenal tour guide, and we felt he curated the perfect experience to maximize our time in Ireland! We were impressed with each and every stop he suggested during our personalized tour of County Wicklow. If you’re looking for an exceptional experience with a guide who pays attention to little details, Owen is the guide for you!

Jul 2024 • Family

Stephanie Waller

The G.O.A.T. of Tour Guides

Owen is not a tour guide, he is THE tour guide. He was the MVP of my Ireland trip. I could listen to him talk all day, no stops or attractions necessary. The second you step into his car, you can immediately see he’s a kind, family man with a love of Irish history. He masterfully tailored the tour to our family’s needs and interests; He shifted between providing detailed information for history lovers, and giving broader, more general information for those of us who were learning about Irish history for the first time. This is one of the many ways Owen makes each of his private tours special for his guests. He took us to two great cafes in the Irish countryside, and recommended an excellent steakhouse back in Dublin for dinner (the cheesecake was just as good as he said it would be. Owen always has your back!). We visited a couple of megalithic sites; and were even able to fit in Trim Castle and the Hill of Slane. Both were “must-do”s on my bucket list, and we wouldn’t have gotten to them on our short trip without his help. Thank you so much Owen!

Aug 2024 • Couples

Tara T

World`s Best Historic Adventure!

Owen was a magnificent guide full of unique knowledge and wit! We’re from the US and it was our first trip to Ireland. We have some Irish family ties and wanted to see special sites like The Hill of Tara, Newgrange and Trim Castle. All the group tours were booked up but Irish luck was with us when Owen and his private tour granted our request to take us around with a few days notice. Owen was like a warm, witty podcaster, full of terrific knowledge of Irish history. My daughter is a history major from a top notch school who’s studied history abroad and she was astounded with his accuracy and the new information he provided to all of us. We highly recommend Owen and hope we someday we get to tour with him again ! We plan to return !! Thank you Owen for everything – including the delicious scone we stopped for in the nearby village ! It’s was a treat we will remember.

Aug 2024 • Families

Alicia T

Awesome Wicklow Tour With Owen

We need more than 5 stars to tell you how amazing our trip with Owen was! We toured the Wicklow Mountains, stopping at a monastic site, the Upper Lake in Glendalough, and Powerscourt Waterfall / Gardens. The weather was a bit foggy in the morning, so we missed the Lough Tay Guinness Lake, but the view at the Upper Lake more than made up for it! Owen is a class act. My wife was a bit woozy going through the mountains, and he allowed her to ride up front and made several adjustments to our path/schedule to make things more comfortable. We really enjoyed chatting about culture, family, and just life in general with Owen. We will definitely be booking another trip with him the next time we make it to Ireland!

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