Castles in Ireland
28 real castles, fortresses and walled cities in Ireland — each mapped, dated and ready to explore.
Rock of Cashel
Ireland's medieval hilltop of kings, with a round tower, chapel and cathedral
Cahir Castle
One of Ireland's largest and best-preserved castles, on a rocky island in the river Suir
Rock of Dunamase
Ruined fortress crowning a dramatic rock on the plains of Laois
Trim Castle
The largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland, a star of the film Braveheart
Lismore Castle
Clifftop castle of the Dukes of Devonshire above the Blackwater
Malahide Castle
Home of the Talbot family for nearly 800 years, near Dublin
Kilkenny Castle
Great riverside castle of the powerful Butler family for almost 600 years
King John's Castle
Mighty riverside fortress on King's Island in the city of Limerick
Maynooth Castle
Seat of the powerful FitzGerald earls, besieged in the 'Pardon of Maynooth'
Dublin Castle
The seat of English and British power in Ireland for over 700 years
Athlone Castle
Riverside fortress guarding the great crossing of the Shannon
Ashford Castle
Fairytale lakeside castle, once a Guinness estate and now a luxury hotel
Athenry Castle
Well-preserved early Norman keep in one of Ireland's best walled towns
Leap Castle
Often called the most haunted castle in Ireland
Roscommon Castle
Great quadrangular royal castle with mighty corner towers
Ross Castle
Lakeside tower house in Killarney, among the last to fall to Cromwell
Bunratty Castle
The most complete medieval castle in Ireland, beside a lively folk park
Blarney Castle
Home of the famous Blarney Stone, said to give the gift of eloquence to those who kiss it
Ormond Castle
The finest Elizabethan manor house in Ireland, built by 'Black Tom' Butler
Knappogue Castle
Well-restored MacNamara tower house famous for its medieval banquets
Donegal Castle
Stronghold of the O'Donnell chiefs, with a fine Jacobean wing
Aughnanure Castle
Six-storey O'Flaherty tower house near the shore of Lough Corrib
Dunguaire Castle
Picture-perfect tower house on the shore of Galway Bay
Parke's Castle
Restored 17th-century fortified manor on the shore of Lough Gill
Birr Castle
Castle of the Earls of Rosse, home to a giant 19th-century telescope
Slane Castle
Gothic Revival castle above the Boyne, famous for its rock concerts
Kylemore Abbey
A romantic lakeside castle in Connemara, now a Benedictine abbey
Glenveagh Castle
Romantic 19th-century castle at the heart of a wild Donegal national park