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Viking and Norman Castle Tour

Discover Ireland’s rich Viking and Norman history with our exclusive private day tour. Begin at Dublinia, where interactive exhibits bring Viking Dublin to life. Walk through recreated streets, explore a Viking warship, and step into medieval Dublin’s past. Then, journey to the majestic Malahide Castle, a 12th-century fortress with nearly 800 years of history, once home to the Talbot family. Learn about its fascinating role in Irish history while admiring the beautiful grounds. Finally, enjoy a relaxing lunch in Howth Village, a charming seaside town offering breathtaking views, fresh seafood, and a glimpse of Ireland’s maritime heritage.

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

Sites we will visit

Dublinia
Dublinia

This is an interactive museum located in the heart of Dublin, dedicated to the city’s Viking and medieval past. Opened in 1993, it is housed in the Synod Hall, a Victorian Gothic building linked to Christ Church Cathedral. Dublinia offers immersive exhibitions that bring to life the history of Dublin from the Viking era through to the medieval period. Visitors can explore a Viking warship, a medieval merchant’s house, and the bustling streets of old Dublin. The museum provides educational experiences through life-size recreations, artifacts, and multimedia displays, making it a popular destination for learning about Dublin’s rich heritage.

Malahide Castle
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.

Howth Village
Howth

Before driving you back to your hotel, we will stop for lunch in Howth, a picturesque fishing village located just north of Dublin. Known for its stunning coastal views and rich maritime history, Howth is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. Visitors can explore the scenic harbour, which is home to fishing boats and seafood restaurants, where you can enjoy fresh catches of the day.

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.

Viking and Norman Castle 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