Ireland’s Christmas Traditions

09.12.25 – 10.12.25

It could be argued that the Irish invented Christmas but that would only be half true! On this engaging walking tour learn about some of the enthralling stories of seasonal traditions in Ireland, some going back 5,000 years. The festive lights, gaily decorated shop windows, public cribs and some (modest, it must be said) street markets will all add to the cheer.

Also hear of St Nicholas’s Irish connections! All of which will be nicely rounded off in the most unusual of Christmas venues; a former historic church, now an iconic cafe/bar. Here you can down a festive drink (two for the price of one is our Christmas gift to you).

Duration

2 hours

Prices

€27 Adult

€22 Seniors/Students

€15 Children aged 12-18 years with accompanying adult

FREE Children under 12 with accompanying adult

Meeting Point

Pat Liddy’s Walking Tours Starting Point

Tree of Gold sculpture

Central Plaza

Dame Street (corner with Fownes Street)

Dublin 2

Map To Meeting Location

*Please arrive 10 minutes before your tour starts

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Purchase Gift Card

Guide was very informative. Great tour around Dublin. Would highly recommend

GetYourGuide

“Wonderful tour today!!! The guide, Ger was SUPER!!! Such fun!!!”
Tracey McD
20 October 2024

Authentic Dublin
“We have been on many walking tours, this is the best way to get to know what to see. Go at the beginning of your trip! Very authentic tour. Pat even joined us for the meet and greet at the meet up spot. Learned a lot about Dublin. We saw all the highlights from the outside so that we could plan which places we’d explore on the inside. Highly recommend this group.”
Izabela, London
12 October 2024

“This is just to tell you that we really enjoyed the walking tour last Wednesday morning (17th April).
Despite the cold and at times rainy weather, our guide James gave us such an interesting
tour, and was so generous with all the information he gave us. Please thank him from us both. It was our first trip to Dublin (indeed, to Ireland) and it has definitely made us want to return! Many thanks to you all”
J&A R
22 April 2024

“We just finished our Dublin City Tour with Jacob.
Thank you Jacob for a perfect tour and that you enriched our stay in Dublin with a lot of insights and details about IRE history.
To all: very professional team and Organisation.”
Ralph P
22 June 2024

Take A Closer Look

In December, due to its northerly latitude, Dublin starts to darken from 3:30 pm and then the enchantment begins. The city has always been a magical venue in the weeks coming up to Christmas. Children especially looked forward to visiting Santa in their favourite department store and to see the themed window displays. Perhaps the store windows are today more geared to adults but Santa still awaits the youngsters, but he has also moved with the times and has migrated big-time to the out-of-town shopping centres. Adding to the atmosphere are huge public Christmas trees, lit with coloured lights from top to bottom. Facades of buildings are lit with fanciful designs and gently swinging-in-the-breeze strings of Christmas lights are strung across the main shopping streets. At various points you may be lucky to hear carol singers delivering seasonal music while collecting for charities. One of the most famous traditions is the Christ crib at the Mansion House which contains some live animals adding reality to the nativity scene. Pubs, shops and even government buildings vie with each other to create a merry ambiance. Christmas markets are not on the scale of continental counterparts, but a small market operates in Dublin Castle with the usual fare and Henry Street is home to a uniquely Dublin market. Top it all off in the festive cheer of The Church with a free first drink for each one bought!

Places We See & Pass By

· Christ Church Cathedral

· Dublin Castle Christmas market

· The Christmassy shopping streets

· The Live Crib at the Mansion House

· The Church

Why Tour With Us?

· Learn about some of Ireland’s unique Christmas traditions and of customs imported from elsewhere but given a Dublin twist.

· Finish the tour at The Church which, although an atmospheric café/bar today, has seen many a Christmas celebration in its over 300 years ecclesiastical history.

· Receive discounts at a number of Dublin’s most iconic museums and cafes/restaurants.

· We only take small groups.

Book Now

Meet Our Guides

Our knowledgeable guides offer deep insights into the culture, history, and hidden gems of Dublin. With expertise drawn from diverse backgrounds, they are provided with annual opportunities to upskill, ensuring they can confidently lead any of our diverse tours. Their enthusiasm and infectious delivery will help you get the most from your experience. Several of our guides are bilingual, and some are even multilingual, further enhancing your tour with a broader range of insights and perspectives.

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We frequently offer special tours to commemorate key events or figures in Dublin’s history. Join our mailing list to get early access & a €5 discount.