Hidden in Plain Sight: Secrets, Symbols & Hidden Histories of Dublin

Kevin Flanagan

What if some of Dublin's strangest stories have been hiding in plain sight all along?

Walking Tour: Secrets, Symbols & Hidden Histories

<h2>PRACTICAL INFORMATION </h2><ul><li>Date: Saturday, 24 October 2026</li><li>When: Midday (12:00)</li><li>Where: Custom House (Liffey side), Dublin</li><li>End point: Merrion Square</li><li>Fee: €45 for early bird (first 7 tickets), increasing to €55</li><li>Participants: Max 20 guests</li><li>Duration: Approximately 5–6 hours</li></ul>

<h3>DETAILS</h3> Look closely at the buildings, monuments and streets of Dublin and you'll find a city filled with symbols of death, sacrifice, power, religion, secrecy and the pursuit of hidden knowledge. On this special pre-Halloween walking tour, we'll explore the lesser-known side of Dublin — from classical architecture and ancient symbols to medieval executions, witchcraft, memento mori, Freemasonry, Theosophy, the occult revival and W.B. Yeats. But this isn't a ghost tour. We'll distinguish between what we know, what was believed, what became folklore, and what later generations have interpreted as occult. Along the way we'll examine some of Dublin's most intriguing — and easily overlooked — details, including skulls and sacrificial imagery, mysterious architectural symbols, medieval places of punishment, stories of witchcraft and heresy, and the people who deliberately sought out esoteric knowledge. And we'll finish with a visit to the National Library of Ireland's exhibition on W.B. Yeats, whose interests in Irish mythology, mysticism and the occult provide a fitting conclusion to the journey. <h3>WHAT WILL WE SEE?</h3> Our route will take us through some of the oldest and most historically significant parts of Dublin, including: The Custom House We'll begin by looking closely at James Gandon's extraordinary 18th-century building — its river-god sculptures, classical imagery, dome and memento mori details — and ask what these symbols were actually intended to communicate. O'Connell Street &amp; the GPO Bull skulls, classical symbolism, the Parnell and O'Connell Monuments and the extraordinary mixture of religious and political imagery surrounding the events of 1916. The Four Courts Gandon's monumental architecture, Roman fasces, the symbolism of Justice and Law, unusual sculptural details and the destruction of Dublin's Public Record Office during the Civil War. Smithfield &amp; the medieval city We'll pass through the old city towards one of Dublin's most intriguing medieval areas, with the option of using public transport for part of the journey if necessary. St Audoen's Church We'll step inside this remarkable medieval church and explore its surviving funerary monuments, tombs and memento mori imagery. St Audoen's is the only surviving medieval parish church in Dublin and is free to enter. Christ Church &amp; Fishamble Street Medieval Dublin, death and burial, the story of St Laurence O'Toole's heart, and the strange history and folklore surrounding the area once known as "Hell". Darkey Kellys The documented story of one of 18th-century Dublin's most notorious women — and the darker legends that grew around her execution. Dame Street &amp; College Green Stories of medieval heresy, witchcraft and forbidden knowledge, including the cases of Adam Duff O'Toole and Alice Kyteler. Trinity College A brief look at Dublin's intellectual and antiquarian traditions and the growing fascination with Ireland's mythology and ancient past. National Library of Ireland — Yeats Exhibition We'll finish at the National Library's permanent exhibition, Yeats: The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats. The exhibition explores Yeats's interests in Ireland, folklore, mysticism and the occult and contains manuscripts, photographs and personal objects from the NLI's extensive Yeats collection. Admission is free, and no booking is required. Freemasons' Hall (Exterior) We'll pass Dublin's extraordinary Masonic headquarters and examine its exterior before continuing towards Merrion Square. The Hall itself is not normally open for public tours on Saturdays, so this tour will not include interior access. Merrion Square We'll explore the literary and mystical Dublin of W.B. Yeats and George Russell (Æ), including their connections with Irish mythology, Theosophy and the occult revival. <h3>→ death → sacrifice → religion → power → secrecy → Freemasonry → secrets in stone → occultism → theosophy → Yeats → Æ → hidden symbolism → alchemy → and more...</h3> <h2>WHAT MAKES THIS TOUR DIFFERENT?</h2> This is not a tour about finding something supernatural behind every doorway. Instead, we'll look at how symbols acquire meaning.- A skull might be a Christian reminder of mortality rather than an occult symbol. - A Roman fasces might represent authority rather than Fascism. - A medieval accusation of witchcraft tells us something about the society making the accusation — whether or not the alleged magic was real. - And sometimes the occult really was the point. By the time we reach Yeats, Theosophy and the Golden Dawn, we'll be meeting people who genuinely believed that ancient mythology, symbolism, ritual and esoteric traditions contained forms of knowledge unavailable through ordinary means. The question throughout the day is:What is actually hidden — and what has simply been hiding in plain sight?

<h3>PLEASE NOTE:</h3> <ul><li>This is a proper walking tour covering several kilometres. </li><li>You will be on your feet for significant periods.</li><li>Much of the tour is outdoors. </li><li>Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for Irish autumn weather (waterproofs strongly recommended).</li><li>Public transport may be used for part of the route depending on pace, weather and timing.</li><li>The itinerary may be adjusted slightly on the day for weather, access or circumstances.</li><li>Some stories involve death, executions, violence, witchcraft, occult practices and other disturbing historical material.</li><li>As such, this tour is NOT suitable for young children.</li></ul> <h3>A FINAL WORD...</h3><h4>Look up. Look closer. Question what you see.</h4><h4>Keep your eyes, mind, and assumptions open.</h4><h4>Dublin has been hiding things in plain sight for centuries.</h4>

Hidden in Plain Sight: Secrets, Symbols & Hidden Histories of Dublin

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Good to know

Location

Walking Tour: Secrets, Symbols & Hidden Histories

How do you want to get there?

Agenda

Meet outside the Customs House (River Liffey Side)

Custom House

Walk (or Luas) to O'Connell St

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Hidden in Plain Sight: Secrets, Symbols & Hidden Histories of Dublin

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Good to know

Location

Walking Tour: Secrets, Symbols & Hidden Histories

How do you want to get there?

Agenda

Meet outside the Customs House (River Liffey Side)

Custom House

Walk (or Luas) to O'Connell St

More events from Kevin Flanagan

Follow organizers to get events picked for you

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