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Irish Castles You Need to See

7/12/2018

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13 Irish Castles You Need to See; Dublin, Kilkenny, Dalkey, Dunguaire, and more
13 Irish Castles You Need to See
The cities and countryside of Ireland are dotted with castles. Some are in ruins, some have been converted into hotels, and many are used as museums. We visited several, often enjoying guided tours, learning of the castles' unique histories, and discovering some of the protection mechanisms of castles.

Click "Read More" to see photos of and learn about some of the many Castles of Ireland, in no particular order.


Cahir Castle, Cahir, Ireland; Travel Tips by exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog; Museum Castles of Ireland
Cahir Castle, Click for Digital Print

1. Cahir Castle

Built: 13th century
Location: Cahir, Co. Tipperary
Current Use: Museum

One of the largest castles in Ireland, Cahir Castle sits on an island in the middle of the River Suir.

Cannon in Cahir Castle, Ireland; Travel Tips by exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog
Cannon in Cahir Castle
Exterior of Cahir Castle, Ireland; Travel Tips by exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog
Exterior of Cahir Castle, Click for Digital Print
Its location on the island gave Cahir Castle a natural moat. Between the water and the high walls, enemies would have difficulty entering the castle grounds. Once inside, however, they would face more dangers, including cannons, spiked gates, and murder holes.
Spiked gate, defensive mechanisms at Cahir Castle; 13 of our favorite Irish Castles by exquisitEXPLORATIONS
Defensive features at Cahir Castle
Murder Hole at Cahir Castle, Travel Tips by exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog; 13 Irish Castles You Need to See
Murder Hole at Cahir Castle
Oh, and watch out! You might end up with an arrow from a bow or crossbow through your heart without ever seeing the defender.
Defensive mechanism at Cahir Castle, Ireland; Our Favorite Irish Castles by exquisitEXPLORATIONS
Crossbow Hole at Cahir Castle
Defensive mechanism at Cahir Castle; 13 Must-See Castles in Ireland by exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog
Arrow Hole at Cahir Castle

Rock of Cashel; 13 of our favorite castles in Ireland; exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog
Rock of Cashel, Click to See Digital Print Options

2. Rock Of Cashel

Built: 12th century
Location: Cashel, Co. Tipperary
Current Use: Museum

Unfortunately, we arrived late in the day, and they were closing soon, so we passed on the tour of the inside of Rock of Cashel.

Beautiful Rock of Cashel; Irish Castles You Can't Miss; Travel Tips by exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog
Rock of Cashel Exterior

Farney Castle, one of our favorite Irish Castles; Travel Tips by exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog
Farney Castle in Ireland

3. Farney Castle

Built: 15th century
Location: Holycross, Co. Tipperary
Current Use: Home of the Cullen family, who offer tours of certain rooms

Sadly, we were not able to tour Farney Castle, as they are closed on Sundays, the day we were traveling through the area.


Mallow Castle, Co. Cork; 13 Irish Castles you Cannot Miss; Travel Tips by exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog
Mallow Castle

4. Mallow Castle

Built: 12th century
Location: Mallow, Co. Cork
Current Use: Ruins, with beautiful grounds

Though called a museum, very little information about the history of Mallow Castle is actually located on site. However, this was one of our favorite castles, as we were able to see it in all its ruined glory, with almost nobody else around. The grounds are well-kept and quiet. We nibbled our picnic lunch on the lawn and imagined how Mallow Castle looked back its in original grandeur.

Mallow Castle Ruins; 13 of our favorite Irish Castles; exquisitEXPLORATIONS
Ruins of Mallow Castle, Click Photo for Digital Prints
The Mansion at Mallow Castle, Co. Cork; 13 of our favorite castles; wanderlust; travel tips
Mansion at Mallow Castle
Ruins of Mallow Castle from the Inside; 13 must-see Irish castles; wanderlust
Mallow Castle Ruins from Inside

Blarney Castle, Co. Cork; 13 Irish Castles You Need to See; Wanderlust; exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog
Blarney Castle, Click for Digital Prints

5. Blarney Castle

Built: 15th century
Location: Blarney, Co. Cork
Current Use: Museum

No first trip to Ireland is complete without the obligatory trip to Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone for good luck. The wait to enter the castle and kiss the stone was long, but worth it. Informational plaques throughout the castle offer historical facts and humorous anecdotes.

After kissing the stone, we made our way back down, ambled through the Poison Garden, past the Blarney House, and into the  Rock Close, which is, I think, one of the most enchanting wooded areas I have ever explored, complete with witches and druids, waterfalls and fairies.

So go to Blarney Castle and get your picture taken kissing the stone, but do not neglect the Rock Close!
Tickets to Blarney Castle and Grounds; 13 Great Irish Castles You Need to See
Blarney Castle Tickets
Window of Blarney Castles; 13 of our favorite Irish castles; travel tips, travel blog
Window of Blarney Castle
Fairy Glen, Rock Close, Blarney Castle, Co. Cork, Ireland; Travel Blog
Fairy Glen, Rock Close, Blarney Castle

Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Co. Dublin, Ireland; Hotels you can stay in; travel blog, travel tips
Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel

6. Fitzpatrick Castle

Built: 18th century
​Also known as: Killiney Castle

Location: Killiney, Co. Dublin
Current Use: Hotel with restaurants, bar, and spa

We splurged on one night in Fitzpatrick Castle. Our room offered gorgeous views of the city of Dalkey below and Dublin Bay beyond.


King John's Castle, Limerick; 13 must-see Irish Castles; travel tips by exquisitEXPLORATIONS
King John's Castle, Click Photo for Digital Prints

7. King John's Castle

Built: 13th century
Location: Limerick, Co. Limerick
Current Use: Museum

We opted not to tour the inside of King John's Castle, but the castle cuts an imposing figure along the River Shannon.


Dalkey Castle, Co. Dublin; 13 must-see castles in Ireland; wanderlust, travel tips, travel blog
Dalkey Castle

8. Dalkey Castle

Built: 15th or 16th century
Also known as: Archibold's Castle

Location: Dalkey, Co. Dublin
Current Use: Museum

We actually visited the city of Dalkey and left without realizing that Dalkey Castle offers tours, so unfortunately we missed out on that. This castle does not fit the typical impression of a castle, as it was used as more of a storage facility for grains being offloaded from the port, which serviced the city of Dublin. That said, now that we know they offer guided tours, when we return to Ireland, we will definitely treat ourselves to a tour of Dalkey Castle!

Ardgillan Castle, Co. Dublin; 13 of our favorite Irish castles; castle museums of Ireland
Ardgillan Castle

9. Ardgillan Castle

Built: 18th century
Location: Balbriggan, Co. Dublin
Current Use: Museum

Ardgillan was another of our favorite castles. We enjoyed our guided tour with a darling older gentleman, who showed us around the rooms, telling us of the history of the house and its occupants, and pointing out various interesting artifacts.

One of our favorite things about this particular castle is the incredible view as we approached it from the parking area. Situated toward the bottom of a hill overlooking the Irish Sea, the castle is positively majestic.
Dining Table in Ardgillan Castle; Irish Castles; wanderlust; travel blog
Dining Table in Ardgillan Castle
Piano in Ardgillan Castle; 13 castles you need to see; travel tips by exquisitEXPLORATIONS travel blog
Piano in Ardgillan Castle
Ardgillan Castle, Hidden Door in the Library; Travel Tips by exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog
Hidden Door in the Library

Dublin Castle, Dublin, Ireland; Wanderlust; Travel Tips by exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog
Dublin Castle

10. Dublin Castle

Built: 13th century
Location: Dublin, Co. Dublin
Current Use: Museum

The full guided tour of Dublin Castle includes the Viking excavation, the State Apartments, and the Chapel Royal. We enjoyed all of it, especially the chapel.

Chapel Royal at Dublin Castle, Dublin, Ireland; 13 castles you can't afford to miss
Chapel Royal at Dublin Castle

Dunguaire Castle, Kinvarra, Ireland; Wanderlust; Travel Photos, Travel Blog, Travel Tips
Dunguaire Castle, Click for Digital Prints

11. Dunguaire Castle

Built: 16th century
Location: Kinvarra, Co. Galway
Current Use: Museum

We stopped here briefly to snap photos, but did not go inside. Dunguaire is one of the most-photographed castles in Ireland, and for good reason. It's gorgeous!


Ross Castle; 13 Irish Castles You Can't Afford to Miss; exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog
Ross Castle

12. Ross Castle

Built: 15th century
Location: Killarney, Co. Kerry
Current Use: Museum

Located inside Killarney National Park along the Ring of Kerry, Ross Castle sits on Killarney Lake. We did not enter the castle, but enjoyed the views of the castle from across the lake and up close.

Ross Castle, Killarney, Ireland; 13 fantastic Irish castles; travel blog
Ross Castle, Killarney

Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Ireland; 13 Irish Castles you Need to See by exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog
Kilkenny Castle

13. Kilkenny Castle

Built: 12th century
Location: Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny
Current Use: Museum

The final castle on our tour of Ireland was Kilkenny Castle. Standing on the River Nore, the Kilkenny Castle grounds feature a garden and fountain, and a large lawn. Take a picnic!

Kilkenny Castle and Grounds, Kilkenny, Ireland; wanderlust; 13 Irish Castles You Need to See
Kilkenny Castle and Grounds

We hope you have a chance to explore these Irish castles, and others. Do you have a favorite Irish castle we haven't seen? Tell us about it below!

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2 Comments
Barrie Cubbon
7/23/2018 09:03:05 pm

I sure don't object to anyone's choice of Irish castles but I'd substitute a few with Parke, Glenveagh, Athenry, Malahide, Dysert O'Dea and Slane. These are not as well known but all are accessible. There are dozens more that are not. Lismore for example is fantastic.. We are castle buffs and we may have seen 100 including relics. I wouldn't waste time on Fitzpatrick, Dunguire or Dublin Castles. It has taken us 9 trips of 3 weeks or more each and we still haven't seen them all

Reply
Carolyn
7/23/2018 09:06:07 pm

Thanks for the suggestions! We'll put those on our list for the next time we're in Ireland!

Reply



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    Carolyn 
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    The daughter of an English teacher, Carolyn has been an avid reader and writer from an early age.  She decided to chronicle the exquisitEXPLORATIONS journey through a travel and RV lifestyle blog, full of RV-related tips and stories of their travel adventures. As a mom and dog mom, her focus has shifted slightly to include both pet-friendly and kid-friendly places to go and things to do.


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