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Modern Irish History Tour

Explore Ireland’s journey to independence with our Modern Irish History Tour, focusing on key events like the 1916 Easter Rising, the Irish War of Independence, and the Civil War. Begin at Kilmainham Gaol, where Irish revolutionaries were imprisoned and executed, offering a poignant look at the country’s fight for freedom. Then, visit Glasnevin Cemetery, the final resting place of influential figures such as Daniel O`Connell, Michael Collins, and Éamon de Valera. Conclude with a relaxing lunch at The Gravediggers Pub, a historic spot known for its traditional charm, Guinness, and hearty Irish stew.

  • duration-icon Duration: 5 Hour Dublin
  • group-icon Group: 1-3 (larger groups, contact us)

Sites we will visit

Kilmainham Gaol
Kilmainham Gaol

This historic former prison is known for its significant role in Irish history. Built in 1796, it housed many prominent Irish revolutionaries, including leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, who were executed within its walls. The prison was notorious for its harsh conditions, with men, women, and even children imprisoned there. Kilmainham Gaol was decommissioned in 1924 and later transformed into a museum. Today, it stands as a powerful symbol of Ireland’s struggle for independence, offering guided tours that explore its dark history and the key figures who shaped the nation’s path to freedom.

Glasnevin Cemetery
Glasnevin Cemetery

This is Ireland’s largest and most historically significant cemetery. Established in 1832, it serves as the final resting place for over 1.5 million people, including many prominent figures in Irish history. The cemetery is known for its stunning Victorian monuments and graves of famous individuals such as Daniel O’Connell, Michael Collins, and Éamon de Valera. It offers guided tours that explore Ireland’s political and cultural history, alongside the stories of everyday citizens. Glasnevin also houses a museum, providing insights into Ireland’s past, its famous residents, and the social and political movements that shaped the nation.

The Gravediggers Pub
Gravediggers Pub

Officially known as John Kavanagh’s, this is one of Dublin’s oldest and most iconic pubs. Located next to Glasnevin Cemetery, it has been serving patrons since 1833 and remains in the Kavanagh family for generations. The pub earned its nickname because gravediggers from the cemetery would visit after work. Known for its authentic, old-world charm, The Gravediggers has no modern frills like TVs or music, making it a beloved spot for those seeking a traditional Irish pub experience. It’s famous for its perfectly poured pints of Guinness and hearty Irish stew, making it a must-visit in Dublin. This is the pub where we stop for a delicious lunch at the end of our tour. Please note that only cash payments are accepted, so no credit cards allowed.

Includes

  • Private tour in a luxury car
  • Fully-qualified tour guide
  • Admission tickets

Excludes

  • Meals
Price: €400

Plus booking fee

– Full refund or future credit if the tour is cancelled up to 30 days before a tour.
– 50% refund between 30 days and 10 days before a tour.
– No refund will be issued within 10 days of a tour.

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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.

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Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Pick up at your hotel in Dublin

End point

After the tour we will drive you back to your accommodation

Breaks

Breaks when requested.

We will schedule time for a lite lunch.

Modern Irish History Tour Showcase

Experiences of Our Guests

tripadvisor-icon (1)

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!

Aug 2024 • Couples

Pat A