three events this November, 2026:
Saturday 14 November, an historic walking tour of Dublin’s Medieval Walls
Tuesday 17th and Thursday 19th November:
two different, very special art tours, at the National Gallery of Ireland
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Looking ahead to Christmas?
Already available: Dublin Decoded gift cards, the perfect Christmas Gift, available any amount.
Just press the onscreen, Green button, and follow the prompts to purchase.
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Coming soon… the seventh edition of our online Winter Art Talks. Starts 05 January 2027.
Purchase for a friend, or treat yourself to eight relaxing Tuesday afternoons, full of beautiful Italian art.
Tickets, including our limited early-bird offer, available soon.
Keep your eyes on the website and the newsletter.
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In- person tours for November 2026
Saturday 14 November: Around Dublin’s Medieval Walls.
meet by 10.45AM; walk starts 11AM sharp
Walk the full circuit around the route of Dublin’s Medieval walls, map in hand, with Dublin Decoded.
Our classic walk for nearly 10 years now – and a fun, unique way to illuminate Dublin’s medieval period, we like to offer this walk at least twice a year: This is a last chance to walk the Medieval Walls in 2026 (and a very rare chance to do it on a weekend)
Walk the full circuit around the route of Dublin’s Medieval walls with us, map in hand, to discovered the layered and violent history they witnessed, including war, huge foreign invasions, fire, plaque, and bloody rebellion.
A fantastic way to learn many of the often unknown, yet fascinating realities of medieval Dublin, and to learn about the origins of our city.
As always, our outdoor public tours include the use of a small portable sound kit, to hear the live commentary from your guide with perfect sound, while you walk at your own pace.
Practicalities:
Meet outside Gutter Books at the western end of Temple Bar by 10.50AM, latest please, to check off your name on the manifest. and to collect your whisper set (your sound kit, included with every ticket). Walk then starts 11AM sharp.
Around Dublin’s Medieval Walls tickets should be purchased in advance, and are available here.
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Tuesday 17th and Thursday 19th November:
two different, very special art tours, at the National Gallery of Ireland
TUESDAY 17th November 2026: 2PM: Masterpieces from the Dargan Wing of the National Gallery of Ireland : a Personal Selection.
The Dargan Wing is the oldest pat of the National Gallery of Ireland, containing some of its most fascinating artworks, but also, arguably the most neglected part. Let us put that right for you, and shed some light together on this fascinating part of the NGI’s collections.
On this tour we shall view and discuss..
- The great Dean Swift, vanquishing an enemy of Ireland, crowned with the laurels of victory.
- Another famous 18th century clergyman, on Grand Tour, and enjoying the Borghese Gardens in Rome.
- Superb panoramic landscape views over Georgian Dublin, revealing to us a very different city to today.
- An apocalyptic scenes from an obscure Biblical text, with a coded meaning from 19th century politics.
- An allegorical work, by one of Ireland’s greatest 18th century painters, with a thinly-veiled attack on a dangerous professional rival.
- Late 17th century portraits of two beautiful young women, survivors from Ireland’s catholic elite, in exile after defeat in the Williamite wars.
- Scandal and intrigue, amid the aristocracy, high fashion and high society of Georgian London.
- a member of Napoleon’s Bonaparte’s family, with an unexpected Irish connection, painted by the French “King of Painters”.
Just some of the works we shall look at, in this unique tour.
Practicalities:
Meet your guide Arran 2PM sharp inside the foyer area of the MERRION SQUARE door into the National Gallery. (Note, you may enter the NGI via the Clare Street entrance foyer, but this is NOT where we assemble. So once inside the gallery, please make your way to the foyer area of the MERRION Square door please) There, you will have time to put your coat in one of the free, nearby, self-service lockers. (We highly recommend using these lockers: you will be far more comfortable). The tour then commences at 2.10PM sharp. Tickets for this tour of Masterpieces the Dargan Wing should be purchased in advance please, and are available here.
For information on How to Read a Painting on THURSDAY 19th November please see below.
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THURSDAY 19th November: 2PM: How to Read a Painting
Learning about subjects and symbols,and how to read a panting, in our unique art tour, full of ideas and high-value insights
This tour takes place in the International Collections, located upstairs in the National Gallery of Ireland and has a particular but not exclusive focus on Italian works and on the Renaissance period.
Among the artists discussed are Fra Angelico, Andrea Mantegna, and Caravaggio.
We will also look at works by two, superb women artists of the late Italian Renaissance era, among many others.
Throughout our tour there is an emphasis on how artists, from the 1400s to the 1600s, used subjects, and symbols in many different and fascinating ways, to create meaning in their art. We will see how artist conveyed which saints, and which stories they were depicting. And how they used different types of symbols and symbolism. to add additional layers of meaning to their work.
My aim is to give you a sort of “toolkit” when looking at old master paintings in future, to better understand, and appreciate and enjoy them going forward.
Practicalities:
meet your guide Arran 2PM sharp inside the foyer area of the MERRION SQUARE door into the National Gallery. (Note, you may enter the NGI via the Clare Street entrance foyer, but this is NOT where we assemble) So once inside the gallery, please make your way to the foyer area of the MERRION Square door please. There, you will have time to put your coat in one of the free, nearby, self-service lockers. (We highly recommend using these lockers: you will be far more comfortable). The tour then commences at 2.10PM sharp. Tickets for this How to Read a Painting tour should be purchased in advance please, and are only available here.
Header Image, top of page above, and again lowest image above: detail from John Speed’s early 1600s map of Dublin, showing the city walls; Madonna and Saints by Marco Palmazzano, National Gallery of Ireland; the Taking of Christ by Caravaggio, National Gallery of Ireland.
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Other notes:
Private Tours
Also remember that Private Tours – meaning tour for your own group, on dates of your own choosing – are always available, year around. Prices from €250 for your entire group (or from €300 weekends)
Just use the green Book Now button on our website, without any obligation, to explore tour options, see our availability, see available tours, plus all your date and price options.
Then come and enjoy your own, private version, of the best walking tours in Dublin.
Gift Vouchers also available via the Green Button. Variable amounts.
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Header image: top of page image; detail from a mind 1800s map of Dublin. Images below: Arran speaking at the National Gallery of Ireland; details fro. paints by Rogier van der Weyden (School of) and by Caravaggio, both NGI
