Now, anyone that knows literally anything about me knows that I LOVE tours. Regardless of where I am, I always weasel my way into a food tour or two – but honestly, I’d never tried a ghost or bus tour. Wild, right?
During a recent trip to Dublin (where nobody warned me just how bloody COLD it would be), I decided to spend the majority of my time being led by various guides around the city. And frankly, it was a super worthwhile experience.
Here’s some of my absolute favourite Dublin tours – starting with touring with the dead.
Ghostbus Tour with Do Dublin
My recent Dublin adventure began with a ghost tour by Do Dublin, and it was nothing short of INCREDIBLE.
To begin with, I learnt about a fictional lass named Carmilla who inspired vampire works around the world – potentially even Dracula – and who was also gay AF. What better way to start a trip?
The eerie tales of bodies dug up from sent shivers down our spines – especially once our guide started re-enacting certain scenes and got us to join in. We listened to macabre tales about Samuel L. Clossey (a physician who would say that there’s no life after death and proceed to pull out intestines, saying that’s all you’ll ever be) and visited Mary’s ghost at the Shelburn.
A highlight from this tour has to be when we were taken around graveyards and other historical areas, and my friend was able to volunteer. Inside a coffin, I swear I’ve never seen her more at peace. Honestly, it topped all other photograph opportunities that I’d had on the trip.
Hidden Dublin Walking Tour
Following this introduction to Dublin’s dark history, we later joined a walking tour with Hidden Dublin, opening by exploring stories of witches and how they may have actually been influenced by LSD (you’ll need to join the tour to learn all about that tidbit).
I learnt the most during my time in Dublin on this tour. Some highlights include:
- 1916 Easter Rising: A pivotal moment in Irish history, the Easter Rising was a rebellion against British rule. The intense fighting in Dublin resulted in significant destruction, loss of life, and the execution of leaders like James Connolly and Padraig Pearse.
- Dublin’s Slums: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Dublin had some of the worst slums in Europe. Overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions led to rampant disease and poverty, creating a challenging environment for many residents. Luckily for us, we were able to see where some of these would have been.
- Magdalene Laundries: The Magdalene Laundries were institutions run by religious orders where “fallen women” were sent, often against their will. These women, who were considered a societal embarrassment, endured harsh conditions and were subjected to unpaid labour. You can imagine the death.
And that’s only SCRATCHING the surface of the insane things that have gone on in Dublin’s history. Genuinely, I didn’t know it was so dark.
Hidden Dublin Ghost Bus Tour
On this tour, not only did we get to see (and touch!) various torture devices from the days of old Dublin (I know, how cool!!), but we were able to learn more about mistreated Protestants and a furious Catholic priest who would give talks to their graves, visit the library that James Joyce used to frequent, and see the burial site of the writer of Gulliver’s Travel.
The epitaph on Jonathan Swift’s grave, btw, was written by himself and reads: “Ubi saeva indignatio Ulterius Cor lacerare nequit.” Translated from Latin, it means: “Where fierce indignation can no longer tear at his heart.”
Brb, crying.
Honestly, the revelation about library’s urine-covered books and learning another haunting love story added a further touch of horror to our Dublin trip – and some strange part of myself and my travel partner revelled in it. Judging by the whoops and cries of the other guests at the end of the tour, they loved it, too.
(A part of me thinks I perhaps shouldn’t be so open about this..)
Do Dublin Hop-On Hop-Off
Living near London, I’ve often seen the sightseeing buses filled with eager travellers; but it wasn’t until my legs were on the verge of mutiny from all the walking in Dublin that I decided to finally give the company a shot.
My travel buddy and I hopped onto one of these distinctive buses and embarked on a circuit tour that lasted the whole day. And honestly? It was brilliant. The bus provided an informative and entertaining guided tour, introducing us to all the major parts of the city. It also encouraged us to explore on our own, dropping us off at some of the key sights in the city (and I fell in LOVE with the museums!).
It was the perfect compromise between guided and independent exploration, and in all honesty, this experience completely changed my mind about normal tour buses. 10/10.
Dublin’s tour guides made history come alive, and each tour uncovered a layer of the city’s fascinating and often chilling past. Honestly, I’m still reeling from some of the stories.
So, whether you’re a history buff or just seeking a unique experience, Dublin’s diverse range of tours has something for everyone.
Have you ever been on a ghost tour in general, or wandered the many haunting streets of Dublin? Let me know in the comments below!
