--- title: "Dark Dublin Walking Tour: Torture, Murder and Mystery" lang: en type: tour city: Dublin country: Ireland price: 24 currency: EUR price_unit: per_person availability: bookable rating: 4.89 reviews: 2418 duration_minutes: 120 languages: [en] free_cancellation: "true" rank_in_category: 35 of 43 (Walking & History Tours) schedule_checked: 2026-10-22 data_updated: 2026-10-22 canonical: https://guidekin.com/ireland/dublin/tours/dark-dublin-walking-tour-torture-murder-and-mystery/ --- # Dark Dublin Walking Tour: Torture, Murder and Mystery In our comparison: #35 of 43 in Walking & History Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (table below). ## Overview Uncover the darker stories Dublin has to offer on this guided tour through the city's sinister side. This experience explores murder, torture, grave robbing, brothels and the unsettling beliefs that once shaped life in the Irish capital. Our journey begins at Dublin Castle, where beneath the architecture lies a brutal past of punishment and fear. Discover the tools of torture once used here, hear about priest hunters, and learn why the Upper Courtyard earned the nickname the Devil’s Half Acre. Venturing deeper into the old city, we enter an area once known as Hell. We explore Dublin’s world of brothels, witches, dark rituals and the infamous Hellfire Club. This walking tour of Dublin offers a unique way to explore the city’s history through its cobbled streets and churches. Ideal for people looking for dark history and an authentic local experience. As one of the most popular dark history tours in Dublin, spaces regularly fill in advance. Booking ahead ensures you do not miss out! ## Before you book - Meeting point: Barnardo Square is the small square next… - Starts 17:30: one departure a day - Food not included: bring or buy your own - Wheelchair accessible: operator-marked - Strollers OK: infants accepted **Pickup:** No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point ## Key facts - Price: from €24 per person - Duration: 2h - Rating: 4.89/5 from 2418 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor) - Free cancellation (see policy below) - Operator: Unearthed Tours - Group: Shared tour - Guide languages: English - Start times: 17:30 - Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket - Price checked on Viator: 2026-10-22 ## Reviews 4.89 from 2418 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor. 98% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 2359 of 2418. - 5 stars: 2255 (93%) - 4 stars: 104 (4%) - 3 stars: 28 (1%) - 2 stars: 14 (1%) - 1 star: 17 (1%) ## What's included - Eco-friendly - Small groups - In-person guide ## Not included - Private transportation - Dinner ## Itinerary 1. **Barnardo Square on Dame Street is the meeting Point** (5m) - The small square is next to City Hall opposite the Olympia Theatre. The guides are visibile with purple umbrellas. 2. **Dublin Castle** (15m) - Our guides will spend some time in the Lower Courtyard of Dublin Castle exploring the tortures of the past. The Tour Guide will venture to the Upper Courtyard of the Castle and talk about the Devil's Half Acre *Tour does not enter Dublin Castle 3. **The 40 Steps** (15m; admission included) - The Tour Guide will explore stories of cannibalism. 4. **Saint Patrick's Cathedral** (15m) - The guide will take you into the grounds of St Patrick's Cathedral and uncover the history of Jonathan Swift. *Tour does not enter St Patrick's Church 5. **Christ Church Cathedral** (15m) - The guide will cover the stories of the hidden history behind the extraordinary church. *Tour does not enter Christ Church 6. **St. Audoen's Church** (15m) - The Tour Guide will unearth the dark past of grave robbings and the attacks from The Black Pig *Tour does not enter St Audoen's Church 7. **St. Michan's Church** (15m) - The Tour Guide will dive into the brutal history of Billy in the Bowl and more recent dark events *Tour does not enter St Michan's Church 8. **Smithfield Square** (15m) - Our guide will finish in Smithfield Square with an incredible finishing story of a local murderer. *End point is a Public Square ## Schedule - Runs: daily - Departures: 17:30 - Schedule last checked: 2026-10-22 - These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout. ## Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. ## Meeting point Barnardo Square is the small square next to Dublin City Hall on DAME STREET DUBLIN 2. Ends: We will finish the tour in Smithfield Square. ## Good to know - Wheelchair accessible - Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller - Service animals allowed - Public transportation options are available nearby - Suitable for all physical fitness levels ## Compared with other Walking & History Tours | Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group | |---|---|---|---|---| | **This tour · #35 of 43** | €24 | 2h | 4.89 (2418) | shared | | [Dublin City Center Walking Tour](/ireland/dublin/tours/dublin-city-center-walking-tour/?format=md) | €360 per group | 3h | 5.0 (618) | shared | | [Dublin Private Walking Tour: Highlights, Hidden Gems & Local Tips](/ireland/dublin/tours/dublin-private-walking-tour-highlights-hidden-gems-local-tips/?format=md) | €122 | 3h | 4.99 (795) | private | | [Dublin's Best Kept Secrets Tour](/ireland/dublin/tours/dublin-s-best-kept-secrets-tour/?format=md) | €36 | 3h | 4.98 (569) | shared | Ranked #35 of 43 in Walking & History Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €6 to €302, median €30; typical length 2h 20m. 15 of 43 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Full list: https://guidekin.com/ireland/dublin/dublin-walking-tours/?format=md ## More in Dublin - All Dublin tours: https://guidekin.com/ireland/dublin/?format=md - This page as HTML: https://guidekin.com/ireland/dublin/tours/dark-dublin-walking-tour-torture-murder-and-mystery/ Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/ireland/dublin/?format=md