Dark Dublin Walking Tour: Torture, Murder & Mystery
by Unearthed Tours
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€48Overview
Dublin’s history includes grim stories of crime, punishment, and mystery. This two-hour walking tour explores some of the city’s darkest chapters with an in-person guide. The tour starts at Barnardo Square on Dame Street, a small square next to City Hall opposite the Olympia Theatre where guides hold purple umbrellas to be easily found. The group moves to the Lower Courtyard of Dublin Castle to learn about past methods of torture and the brutal punishments that took place there. The guide also discusses the Upper Courtyard, known as the Devil’s Half Acre, though the tour does not enter the castle itself. Next, the guide shares stories linked to the 40 Steps, including tales of cannibalism. The tour continues into the grounds of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, where the guide talks about Jonathan Swift’s history but does not enter the cathedral building. At Christ Church Cathedral’s grounds, the guide reveals hidden historical stories without entering the church. At St. Audoen’s Church, the guide explains grave robbing and attacks by a figure called The Black Pig, again without church entry. At St. Michan’s Church, the guide recounts the brutal history of Billy in the Bowl and other dark events outside the church. The tour concludes at Smithfield Square with a story about a local murderer. The tour is designed for small groups and follows eco-friendly practices. No private transportation or dinner is included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Barnardo Square
The tour begins at Barnardo Square on Dame Street, a small square beside City Hall and opposite the Olympia Theatre. Guides are easy to spot as they carry purple umbrellas.
5 min
Dublin Castle
The guide explains the history of torture in the Lower Courtyard of Dublin Castle. The group also learns why the Upper Courtyard is called the Devil’s Half Acre. The tour does not enter inside Dublin Castle.
15 min
The 40 Steps
The guide shares stories related to cannibalism connected to this location.
15 min
Saint Patrick's Cathedral
The group enters the grounds of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, where the guide talks about Jonathan Swift’s connection to the site. The tour does not include entry into the cathedral itself.
15 min
Christ Church Cathedral
The guide reveals lesser-known historical facts about Christ Church Cathedral from outside, without entering the building.
15 min
St. Audoen's Church
The guide covers the history of grave robbing and attacks by The Black Pig at St. Audoen’s Church grounds. The tour does not enter the church.
15 min
St. Michan's Church
Stories about the brutal past of Billy in the Bowl and other dark events are told outside St. Michan’s Church. The tour does not enter the church.
15 min
Smithfield Square
The tour ends in Smithfield Square with a story about a local murderer. This is a public square and the final stop.
15 min
Meeting point
Barnardo Square is the small square next to Dublin City Hall on DAME STREET DUBLIN 2.
End point
We will finish the tour in Smithfield Square.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Dark Dublin Walking Tour: Torture, Murder & Mystery
by Unearthed Tours
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€48Overview
Dublin’s history includes grim stories of crime, punishment, and mystery. This two-hour walking tour explores some of the city’s darkest chapters with an in-person guide. The tour starts at Barnardo Square on Dame Street, a small square next to City Hall opposite the Olympia Theatre where guides hold purple umbrellas to be easily found. The group moves to the Lower Courtyard of Dublin Castle to learn about past methods of torture and the brutal punishments that took place there. The guide also discusses the Upper Courtyard, known as the Devil’s Half Acre, though the tour does not enter the castle itself. Next, the guide shares stories linked to the 40 Steps, including tales of cannibalism. The tour continues into the grounds of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, where the guide talks about Jonathan Swift’s history but does not enter the cathedral building. At Christ Church Cathedral’s grounds, the guide reveals hidden historical stories without entering the church. At St. Audoen’s Church, the guide explains grave robbing and attacks by a figure called The Black Pig, again without church entry. At St. Michan’s Church, the guide recounts the brutal history of Billy in the Bowl and other dark events outside the church. The tour concludes at Smithfield Square with a story about a local murderer. The tour is designed for small groups and follows eco-friendly practices. No private transportation or dinner is included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Barnardo Square
The tour begins at Barnardo Square on Dame Street, a small square beside City Hall and opposite the Olympia Theatre. Guides are easy to spot as they carry purple umbrellas.
5 min
Dublin Castle
The guide explains the history of torture in the Lower Courtyard of Dublin Castle. The group also learns why the Upper Courtyard is called the Devil’s Half Acre. The tour does not enter inside Dublin Castle.
15 min
The 40 Steps
The guide shares stories related to cannibalism connected to this location.
15 min
Saint Patrick's Cathedral
The group enters the grounds of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, where the guide talks about Jonathan Swift’s connection to the site. The tour does not include entry into the cathedral itself.
15 min
Christ Church Cathedral
The guide reveals lesser-known historical facts about Christ Church Cathedral from outside, without entering the building.
15 min
St. Audoen's Church
The guide covers the history of grave robbing and attacks by The Black Pig at St. Audoen’s Church grounds. The tour does not enter the church.
15 min
St. Michan's Church
Stories about the brutal past of Billy in the Bowl and other dark events are told outside St. Michan’s Church. The tour does not enter the church.
15 min
Smithfield Square
The tour ends in Smithfield Square with a story about a local murderer. This is a public square and the final stop.
15 min
Meeting point
Barnardo Square is the small square next to Dublin City Hall on DAME STREET DUBLIN 2.
End point
We will finish the tour in Smithfield Square.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.