Dublin Walking Tour on Best of Ireland in 14 Days Tour

I went to Ireland with CIE tours so cannot answer your questions regarding the walks. I did read your itinerary and have a few comments.
1. Newgrange was one of my favorite experiences in Ireland. It was on my must do list and it did not disappoint. Reading Ireland by Frank Delaney made this even more special.
2. I recommend going to the National Museum of Ireland- Archeology during your free time.
3. I recommend getting a one or two day pass on the HOHO bus in Dublin. It is great for an orientation to the city.
4. I would call or email the RS office and ask about the "possible" trip to Kilmainham Gaol. I would think they would know ahead of time if they were able to get tickets for your group. I wouldn't want to miss that and would go on my own if not covered by the tour.

Ireland was going to be my one and only overseas trip--to visit the land of my ancestors. I enjoyed it so much I am going to visit my Viking roots this year. Have a great time.

For some reason (and despite my complaints), the RS website hides this information (what is not covered on the tour) under "Planning Tips." Scroll down to "Sightseeing On Your Own": https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/ireland/ireland

Here's what that paragraph says:

Here are suggestions for sightseeing in Dublin that we will not be doing as a group: Hop-on/hop-off bus tour, National Museum, National Gallery, Dublin Castle, Dublin Writers' Museum, Guinness Brewery and Gravity Bar. You may also enjoy visiting the Brú Na Bóinne archaeological site, home to the Newgrange burial tomb (shuttle bus available from Dublin).

The 14 day Ireland tour was one of my favorites. Enjoy! I took the tour in 2014 and the day 2 walking tour did not include the O'Connell Street Stroll, the walking tour stayed south of the River Liffey and ended at Trinity College. I arrived for the tour a day early and I did the O'Connell St tour using the walking tour in the Rick Steves guidebook. I second the recommendation for the hop on hop off bus tour and the ticket is good for 2 days. I have no advice about the student-led walking tours.

Yes, be sure to check with the RS tour office to verify if your tour is going to Kilmainham Gaol. Our tour did not go due to tours all booked by cruise ships. The RS office did not pre-notify us. I was able to go on day 2 after the walking tour.

Be sure to try the Drambouie oatmeal for breakfast at least once. Try the Guinness, it's much better than in the US. Dingle Brewing Company is worth a trip also, about 2 blocks from downtown Dingle.

Thank you all for the helpful advice.

Has anyone taken the student-led "Historical Walking Tour"? Does it duplicate what we do on the RS tour?

Thanks again,
Steve

Hi Steve! This is Alexis from the Rick Steves' Tour Department. Thank you for your post! Your Dublin walking tour on Day 2 will be given by a local guide from Historical Insights. Our walking tour will duplicate many parts of Historical Insights' standard walking tour, but our tour will be a bit longer: your group walking tour will be approximately 3 hours, versus their standard two hour tour. I hope this helps. Please don't hesitate to call us at 425-608-4217 if you have any additional questions!

Many thanks, Alexis. That helps me plan our pre-tour days in Dublin.

I did the tour in August of 2014. My first and probably so far my favorite. Well.... I can't tell you on the walking tour because I did the Rock n Roll half marathon that morning so I did not get to do that part. But we arrived 2 days early also. We went to the Guinness Brewery, St Patrick's cathedral (wonderful place), temple bar area. We met and talked to locals and tourists in the bars. Ate pub grub... Love Stinnotts bar (on stephens green -delicious food), Baileys bar(duke street), porterhouse central and neary's bar( on Chatham St) Awesome food on our own and plus the group. Hope your 1st night dinner is the Farm......one of the best dinners on the trip. Our hotel was Buswell's ..... loved that hotel. Went to Dublin castle (which I thought was not worth going)

We shopped on free time on Grafton street. All in all...I would go back in a heart beat. I am jealous!! But I am going back next year on the 8 day heart of Ireland tour.

Our tour guide was Rozanne.... she was great. You will have a fantastic time. FYI - we even had cool days and rainy weather on some days.

added : go to the National Museum (it is by hotel Buswell's, heard it was good, but we never got time to go).