11 Amazing Castles In Ireland To See!

The Best Castles in Ireland Ross Castle

There are so many Irish castles to visit that it’s hard to narrow down where to go in Ireland. It’s pretty hard to visit Ireland and not visit a castle at least once during your travels. But with so many Irish castles (over 30,000!), how do you know which castles in Ireland are worth the trip?

We’ve broken it down for you with a list of the best castles in Ireland so you can select from some of the best-known and most-loved options.

Whether you want to explore the ruins of a once magnificent fort or get a taste of medieval life in a well-maintained relic, you can get a little glimpse into the past during your trip to Ireland. From reenacted scenes featuring knights and royalty to elaborate banquet dinners in your very own castle, you may want to stay forever and never return to the present!


The Most Amazing Castles in Ireland


1.) Malahide Castle & Gardens

Malahide Castle & Gardens in Ireland

Starting off with one of the best castles to visit in Ireland! Malahide Castle dates back to the year 1885 and was owned by the Talbot family for nearly 800 years, save for the period where, after Ireland’s conquest, Oliver Cromwell gave it to Miles Corbet, an English politician.

When he was hanged after Cromwell’s downfall, the castle once again fell under Talbot’s ownership. The castle interiors are home to an array of artifacts from the castle’s tumultuous past, ranging from beautifully-made furniture to Victorian children’s toys.

If you’re into ghost stories, this could be your new favorite place. Malahide Castle is rumored to be the most haunted castle in the country, and given its bloody history, this is really no surprise. Many visitors have reported seeing various apparitions throughout the castle, and you could be next; if you’re looking for a bit of extra excitement during your wander through history, this is a great choice.  

  • Location: Malahide, Co. Dublin
  • Cost: £14 for an adult entrance ticket
  • Insider tip: The surrounding gardens are a beautiful place for a guided walk and feature intricate glasshouses and even live peacocks!

2.) Bunratty Castle

Bunratty Castle in Ireland

Named for the Raite River which flows alongside the castle and into the nearby city of Shannon, this Irish castle’s location has been occupied for over a millennium by Normans, Vikings, and later, Irish nobility.

The first official structure was a defensive fortress built in 1250, and the lands were later granted to a lord who created the first stone structure. The current castle as it stands today was built by the MacNamara family in 1425.

The Irish castle itself, along with Bunratty house, are both open to the public. It is also famous for its regular banquet meals, where you can book in for a traditional medieval four-course dinner, along with entertainment provided by the Bunratty Castle Singers – just so you can get the full experience of living in medieval luxury!

  • Location: Bunratty, Co. Clare
  • Cost: £17 regular adult admission
  • Insider tip: The nearby Bunratty Folk Park has a recreated Irish village.

3.) Dunguaire Castle

Dunguaire Castle in Ireland

It’s a well known fact in Ireland that Dunguaire Castle is one of the most famous castles in Ireland. Located on the shores of Galway Bay, Dunguaire Castle is as picturesque as they come (not to mention there are some seriously beautiful views from the castle towers of the lush green countryside below).

The castle was constructed in 1520 and has been the site of many battles and sieges during that time. It was passed to a well-known local surgeon and author in 1924, who, being friends with poets & writers such as Yeats, is credited with a literary revival in the region.

The interior of the castle retains all the charm of medieval decor, with a banquet hall that hosts regular summer feasts for visitors. Its tower stands at 75 feet and looks out over the nearby town of Kinvarra.

  • Location: Kinvarra, Co. Galway
  • Cost: About £7 for an adult entrance
  • Insider tip: Open only to the public in the summer months, but if you’re passing by in the off-season, you can still stop to snap a few beautiful pictures.

4.) Blarney Castle

No list of the best castles to visit in Ireland would be complete without a mention of Blarney Castle. Probably the most famous castle in the country, Blarney Castle was originally a medieval stronghold built-in 1446. Since it passed hands many different times throughout its history, the castle as it stands today is in partial ruins, but its charming wear and tear does not take away from its mythical quality.

But what Blarney Castle is perhaps best known for is the Blarney Stone – also known as the Stone of Eloquence. Visitors can (with assistance!) be hung upside down to kiss the stone, which is said to give the powers of eloquence and persuasiveness.

The origin of the stone is unclear, but local legend dictates that it was a stone on which many ancient Irish kings were crowned.

  • Location: Blarney, Co. Cork
  • Cost: £18 for adult entrance
  • Insider tip: Though you can’t really go inside it, there is a neat little Poison Garden on the grounds, with plants such as wolfsbane, mandrake, opium, and cannabis.

5.) Rock of Cashel Castle

Rock of Cashel Castle in Ireland

The Rock of Cashel is more than just a castle; it is a collection of structures sitting atop a hill in Cashel, County Tipperary. On the walled plateau is the Round Tower (the oldest structure in the complex, dating from 1100), Cormac’s Chapel, and the Cashel Cathedral.

There is also a nearby graveyard with burials of bishops and other notable figures throughout the region’s history. The Rock is also supposedly the site where St. Patrick converted a Munster King to Christianity, earning the castle another nickname of St. Patrick’s Rock.

The views from the top alone are well worth a visit, but add to that a beautiful and grandiose castle, cathedral, and chapel, and you’re left with an awe-inspiring site steeped in Irish lore and legend. It’s easily one of the most beautiful places in Ireland to visit!

  • Location: Cashel, Co. Tipperary
  • Cost: £8 for an adult ticket
  • Insider tip: As this location is extremely highly visited in the summer months, book your tickets online ahead of time to avoid delays.

6.) Ross Castle

The Best Castles in Ireland Ross Castle

If you’ve ever wanted to live in a castle, this is probably your best shot. Ross Castle, while open to the public for regular touring, is also a well-liked B&B in the area, with room decor attempting to mirror the styles & design of the time (but still with modern conveniences). You can even opt for a room in the tower, for the most authentic castle experience.

Situated on the edge of Lough Leane, legend states that the original owner of the castle still rests in a deep sleep beneath the lough, rising only once every seven years to circle the castle astride a white horse. If you see him, don’t be afraid; the legend also states that witnesses to this miracle will be blessed with good fortune for the rest of their lives.

Originally built as a defensive structure, several interesting structures throughout the castle are the machicolations Machicolation are the stone structures holes placed over points of entry, for the sole defensive purpose of pouring hot oil over attempted invaders.

Another interesting feature is the spiral staircase of uneven height built in a clockwise formation to be a disadvantage to right-handed sword wielders who attempt to climb the stairs. Then its slit-like windows to prevent entry, and provide a space for firing arrows. This Irish castle was built for war.

  • Location: Killarney, Co. Kerry
  • Cost: £4 adult admission
  • Insider tip: The surrounding grounds are expansive, and you can rent a bike to tour the area.

7.) Cahir Castle

One of the largest and best-preserved castles in Ireland, Cahir Castle stands atop an island on the Suir River in Cahir. Originally built as a top-tier defensive fortress, it was constructed on the site of a former stone fort called a Cathair, which gave the current castle its name.

The excellent audio-visual guided tours are the best way to tour the castle and really learn about the details of its history; guidebooks are available in several languages. Once you’ve had your fill of touring the castle, follow the path two kilometers along the river until you come to the Swiss Cottage. This was a nearby home owned by the Butlers (the same family that owned the castle grounds) and looks like something out of a woodland fairy tale.

  • Location: Cahir, Co. Tipperary
  • Cost: £5 adult admission
  • Insider tip: Cash only; there are no debit or credit machines onsite.

8.) Doe Castle

 Doe Castle in Ireland

As far as picturesque Irish castles go, Doe Castle is way at the top of that list and is definitely one of the best castles to visit in Ireland. Built on the inlet of Sheephaven Bay, the castle was originally built as a stronghold and is, to this day, considered to have been one of the most secure and safest fortress castles of the time.

The castle is known for many of its tragic love story legends, such as the story of a young woman who fell in love with a Celtic chieftain. When her father learned of her love, he kidnapped and tortured the young man and killed him with his own sword at first light.

The young woman, having seen this transpire from her window, jumped to her death in desperation. Locals affirm that you can sometimes spot a small rowboat carrying the two lovers together.

  • Location: Castledoe, Co. Donegal
  • Cost: Grounds are free, guided tours are £3 for adult fares.
  • Insider tip: There are sometimes hired actors recreating historical scenes on site.

9.) Kylemore Abbey

The Best Castles in Ireland Kylemore Abbey

Among the most photogenic structures in Ireland, Kylemore Castle near Clifden is an imposing structure set into the hills lining the Pollacappall Lough. In 1920, a Benedictine Monastery was built on the site by nuns who fled Belgium during the First World War.

Today, the grounds and interiors are open to visitors year-round, and the estate is over 1000 acres of architecture and nature walks, including an enormous Victorian Walled Garden and a neo-Gothic church.

The Abbey is home to many myths and legends, but perhaps none so famous as the Battle of the Giants, which tells the tale of two Irish giants, Cú Chulainn and Fionn McCool, fighting by launching stones at each other – one of which is still present on the grounds of the Abbey; you can even make a wish on it.

  • Location: Connemara, Co. Galway
  • Cost: £14, which includes entrance to all parts of the castle grounds.
  • Insider tip: Check out the great little tea room for afternoon refreshments.

10.) Trim Castle

The Best Castles in Ireland Trim Castle

Trim Castle is easily one of the best castles in Ireland! If this iconic castle looks at all familiar to you, it might be because you saw it in a little film called Braveheart, so it’s pretty easy to see why it’s considered one of the best castles to visit in Ireland. Trim Castle in County Meath is the largest Norman castle in Ireland.

It was built in c. 1100 as a defense structure (its situation atop a hill overlooking the River Boyne put it in an ideal place to spot invaders and react accordingly). Its towers are truly a sight to behold; though a little ruined, this only adds to their beauty, as when standing within, you can look up the open, moss-covered turret and see the sky above.

To get the most out of your visit, consider taking a guided tour, as the guides are animated, knowledgeable, and informative. It’s a little piece of medieval history brought to life for an hour.

  • Location: Trim, Co. Meath
  • Cost: £5 including the Keep, £2 excluding it.
  • Insider tip: Closed from November to April.

11.) Kilkenny Castle

Kilkenny Castle in Ireland

If you’re looking for somewhere to spend an afternoon while traveling in Ireland, it’s pretty easy to let the hours tick away at Kilkenny Castle. Sitting beside the River Nore, the castle is a symbol of medieval history from which the surrounding city grew.

The grounds boast sprawlings gardens which contain a smaller rose garden, winding woodland pathways, and even an ornamental lake. They’re a charming place to wander around and imagine times long past.

Onsite is the Butler Art Gallery (formerly a servants’ quarters area) which hosts revolving displays of contemporary art. There is also a design center across the street, which features Irish crafts.

  • Location: Collegepark, Kilkenny
  • Cost: £8 adult admission
  • Insider tip: The castle’s tea room is well-liked for a quick afternoon cuppa.

How Many Castles Are There in ireland

It’s said that there are over 30,000 castles in Ireland. Some are in ruins while others are in near perfect shape and then of course there are the famous castles in Ireland. Whatever it is, it’s kind of crazy there are this many castles packed into one country!


Map of the best irish castles


Money-Saving Tips For Visiting these castles in ireland

Ireland Travel Tips
Two Currencies

Keep in mind that Ireland is actually two countries! The Republic of Ireland which takes up the majority of the island of Ireland and Northern Ireland part of the United Kingdom occupies the Northeast. The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro (€) and the United Kingdom uses the British Pound (£). You can learn more about travel in Ireland here.

Cook Your Own Food

If your accommodation has a kitchen then it’s best to make use of it. We save money this way when traveling around Ireland. Grocery stores in Ireland are amazing and well-stocked, and one can easily cook an amazing meal with delicious Italian red wine for cheap.

The grocery store provides great value especially on Italian food like pasta, prosciutto, and grapes. Don’t worry about eating local either as they’re often stocked with tons of beautiful Italians products; most Italians eat at home anyways!

Drink Tap Water

The tap water in Ireland is perfectly fine to drink, so best not to waste money or plastic on one-time use water bottles. Get yourself a travel water bottle and keep refilling it!

Travel During the Offseason

In my opinion, traveling in Ireland particularly shrines in the offseason. I don’t like crowds or high prices and that’s why I love traveling between September and May. We highlight the best time to visit Ireland in this post.

What Does a Trip to Ireland Cost? A Helpful Price Breakdown

READ MORE IRELAND TRAVEL TIPS

I hope you enjoyed this guide on our favorite Irish castles. Hopefully, you found it useful. Here are a few relevant articles for more travel around Ireland.

Ireland Travel Planning Resources

  • Packing Guide — Check out our Ireland Packing List to help pack your bags and ensure you don’t leave anything at home.
  • Rent a Car — We suggest most visitors consider renting a car for the best trip possible. Try Discover Car Hire to compare quotes from different rental agencies. Check the Price Here!
  • Protect Your Trip — We don’t travel without travel insurance, and neither should you. You never know what can happen while traveling, so it’s best to be prepared. HeyMondo provides excellent short-term and long-term travel insurance plans. 
  • Tours in Ireland — Check out our list of the best tours you can enjoy in Ireland!
  • Travel Adapter – Make sure you find a suitable adapter to keep your electronics charged. Otherwise, you may be paying for a cheap one once you land. Purchase one here.
Cameron Seagle

Cameron Seagle

Cameron Seagle is one of the principal writers and photographers for The World Pursuit. He is a travel expert that has been traveling the world for the past decade. During this time, he established a passion for conservation and environmental sustainability. When not traveling, he’s obsessed with finding the best gear and travel products. In his free time, you can find him hiking, mountain biking, mountaineering, and snowboarding. His favorite countries are Scotland, Indonesia, Mozambique, Peru, Italy, and Japan. You can learn more about Cameron on The World Pursuit About Us Page.

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