- Our journey begins at the renowned International Bar, which has been the starting point of the 1916 Tour, conducted by Lorcan Collins, since 1996. You’re invited to arrive early, enjoy a beverage, and browse the informative literature provided by your guide. The tour commences with a brief overview of the events leading up to the revolutionary period, starting from the Great Hunger / Irish Famine in the 1840’s and culminating with the 1916 Rising, offering all participants a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances preceding the revolution. This also presents an opportunity for attendees to ask queries and familiarize themselves with the guide.
We’ll inform you of the course we plan to follow, and although we rotate the route to keep the tour fresh, rest assured that you’ll be satisfied with the various locations we visit. Here are some spots we commonly explore:
- The City Hall, a site occupied during the 1916 Rising by the Irish Citizen Army, is a place where we halt to discuss the happenings of Easter Week 1916.
- Dublin Castle, from where the British administration governed Ireland, is another pitstop on our tour. We’ll discuss its implications during the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence. You might recognize it from the Michael Collins film.
- We also drop by The Four Courts, a building seized by revolutionaries in 1916 and again in 1922, during the Irish Civil War. The best views and discussions regarding its role in 1916 and 1922 and the complexities of the Civil War can be experienced from a bridge spanning the River Liffey.
- We make several small stops on our walk, one of them being Daniel O’Connell’s Memorial where we observe bullet marks from the Rising and discuss the positions held by the British and Irish in 1916.
- A halt at the statue of ‘Big Jim Larkin’, the Union Man from Liverpool and a comrade of James Connolly, gives an insight into his contributions during the revolutionary period.
- A primary stop on our journey is the GPO, which served as the Revolutionaries’ headquarters in Dublin. Stories of the critical events that transpired during Easter 1916 unfold here, making it a key part of Irish national consciousness and the most historic building in Dublin.
- Time permitting, we often venture to Moore Street to witness the location of GPO Garrison’s final stand during Easter Week.
- Popularly known as the Old Parliament, this building, and its neighbor, Trinity College, might be the object of our scrutiny depending on the guide’s chosen route. However, we emphasize that the tour’s route is not fixed and can vary with each day!
- Expert tour guide included.
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Lorcan Collins, a distinguished author, historian and native of Dublin, brought the 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour into existence in 1996. The engaging two-hour walk commences every day at The International Bar where attendees are gifted a 1916 Proclamation replica and informative printed materials. The itinerary commences with a succinct summary of the events leading up to the dramatic 1916 Easter Rising, later guiding participants to landmarks from the revolutionary age including the General Post Office, City Hall and Dublin Castle. A reflection on the War of Independence, the period between 1919-21 when Michael Collins fought for Irish sovereignty, and the Irish Civil War (1922-23) is also part of the main itinerary. This tour, designed both for its educational value and interactive fun, doesn’t necessitate any previous understanding of the happenings it details.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.