Dublin Castle has survived through many historic events of Ireland, the siege by Silken Thomas and the 1916 Rising being but two of the major events. The castle was used as the official residence of the viceroys and later Chief Secretaries (British representatives in Ireland) until the Viceregal Lodge (Arás an Uachtaráin) was built.     

Today the castle is used mostly for state functions and is also the venue for most of the tribunals. It is also the place where the E.U. meetings take place.     

Today, there are tours available from 10am to 5pm. The tour takes you to many of the magnificent rooms in the castle. These include St. Patrick's Hall, where the presidents of Ireland are inaugurated. It is most noted for the painted ceilings and also the Waterford Crystal Chandeliers which light up the rooms. Also worth a visit is the Birmingham Tower which was used as a prison and with which many Irish leaders through the centuries were familiar. The tours are available all year round except when the castle is being used for state functions.

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