image above, Arran, speaking on a recent tour of the National Gallery of Ireland. Photo by Trevor O’Reilly.
Upcoming Tours and events, May into June, 2026
WEDNESDAY, 6th May, 11AM,
A Grand Tour of the Grand Canal, Part One
and/or
WEDNESDAY, 13th May, 11AM
A Grand Tour of the Grand Canal, Part Two
The first and second of our two new tours exploring the extraordinary history and architecture of and alongside, Dublin’s Grand Canal, The first walk – on Wednesday 6th of May- covers from Harold’s Cross Bridge to Wilton Park. The second walk, exactly one week later, begins where our last tour ended, namely at to the beautiful, Victorian garden at Wilton Park. We then explore from Wilton Park all the way to the Grand Canal Basin. On both walks, expect architectural and engineering history. And expect social, artistic and literary history too. These two particular walking tour dates are an Irish Georgian Society (IGS) events, led by Arran on behalf of the IGS. So tickets are available, not through my own usual ticket links, but only through the Events page of the Irish Georgian Society. Here is the link to both tickets: here.
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Opening your Eyes to a World of Art and hidden Meaning
Art Tours at the National Gallery with Arran
Three dates now available.
THURSDAY, 14 May, 2.15PM -3.45PM, National Gallery of Ireland.
How to Read a Painting, exploring symbolism, and how to recognize saints and stories in Renaissance and old master paintings, at the National Gallery of Ireland, a private tour, with Arran Henderson.
A fun, friendly, highly accessible “workshop” that will teach you how to read paintings better.
(Repeated, as an evening tour, 6.15PM, on THURSDAY 28 May, see below) Book this tour, for either of the two dates, either THURSDAY, 14 May, at 2.15PM; or THURSDAY 28th May at 6,15PM, both dates available here.
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THURSDAY, 28 May, 2.15PM -4PM
French Art at the National Gallery of Ireland,
Explore French Art from the pioneering early Renaissance School of Avignon in the mid-1450s to the Impressionists of the late-1800s. 450 years of French Art. Encounters with some of the great paintings fro the history of French art, and with some amazing, sometimes unexpected figures from French and European history.
A unique, private tour, with Arran Henderson.
Tickets €23.50 pp, now available here.
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THURSDAY, 28 May, 6PM -7.45PM
How to Read a Painting, a special evening time tour at the National Gallery of Ireland
How to Read a Painting: exploring symbolism and learning how to recognize saints and stories in Renaissance and old master paintings, at the National Gallery of Ireland.
Learn how how to “read” understand and appreciate old master paintings better, with this enjoyable, informal, and accessible “workshop”. This is a a second available date, for this unique private tour with Arran Henderson
Also available as , as an afternoon tour, the earlier time and date of 2.15PM on Thurs, 14th May, see above. Book this tour, for either of the two dates, either THURSDAY, 14 May, at 2.15PM; or THURSDAY 28th May at 6,15PM, both dates available here.
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Special Dates for our special Bloom’s Day tours,
two new dates, available June 2026 only
Joyce’s Puzzle Walk: to cross Dublin: without passing a Pub
available weekend date: SAT 13 JUNE 11AM, and TUES 16 JUNE (Blooms -Day) also 11AM
An epic historical and architectural walking tour, diagonally across all of central Dublin, Dublin, SE to NW from Saint Stephen Green to Arbour Hill and Stoneybatter! Led by Arran Henderson of Dublin Decoded Tours.
Solving a puzzle posed by Leopold Bloom in James Joyce’s Ulysses, our task on this walking tour is to cross central Dublin without passing a pub. This route brings us past many interesting buildings and we will use the occasion as an excuse to enjoy Dublin with fresh eyes. Old prisons, banks. Post offices and a plethora of historic churches lie along our route, but we may also duck and dive, down many lanes and side-streets, to avoid passing the pubs!
This walk is available on two dates, SAT 13 JUNE 11AM, and TUES 16 JUNE (BLOOMSDAY) also 11AM. Places should be reserved in advance please. The ticket price of €21.50 includes a sound kit for each guest, giving you perfect sound for Arran’s live commentary, and allowing you to walk at your own pace. Tickets for either (both) of the two dates may be booked here.
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End of Currently listed / currently scheduled Public Tours for May-June 2026.
However, remember that Private Tours – meaning tour foir your own group on dates of your own choosing – are always available, year around. Prices from €250 for your entire group. Just use the green Book Now button on our website, without obligation to explore tour options, see our availability, available tours plus your date and price options.
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Images below, Claude Monet (1840–1926) Argenteuil Basin with a Single Sailboat, 1874 Photo © National Gallery of Ireland; Arran speaking at the National Gallery of Ireland; the Huband Bridge, on the Grand Canal, part of our Grand Canal II Tour, in a painting by artist Gerard Byrne; Annunciation, by French artists Jacques Yverni, c1450 part of our tours at the National Gallery of Ireland; map of Arran’s “How to Cross Dublin Without Passing a Pub” tour, available Sat 13 and Tuesday 16th, in June (only).
