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From the time of the Norman conquest until the end of English
rule, the Kings and Lords of Ireland built many magnificant
fortifications and homes. Many of these historic buildings have
survived for over 600 years nearly intact while sadly, others
have become ruins. All are still well worth a visit whether
to examine some of Europe's best examples of medieval fortifications
or take in the atmosphere of noble life in Ireland centuries
ago. By using our listing you will find out all you want to
know about the ancient Castles which have formed such an important
part of our history as a Nation.
Athlone Castle, Co. Westmeath
(Ath Luain - the Ford of Luan) is situated on the principal
fording point of the middle Shannon. In 1129 King Turlough O'Connor
recognised it's strategic importance and built a wooden castle
here. In 1210 King John of England ordered the building of a
stone castle and bridge. The Castle was built by John de Gray,
Bishop of Norwich. The Castle is now a focal point for tourism
and visitors and it features exhibitions and audio visual presentations.
The Castle provides excellent viewing points across the river
Shannon. Discover the History of the castle; enjoy an art exhibition
in the Tea Rooms, tourist information and gifts. For information
and group bookings contact 0902 92912 / 72107 or mail us Athlone
Castle,
Blackrock Castle, Co. Cork
The original 'Castle' is indicated as having been a fort,
erected by Lord Deputy Mountjoy in 1604 .This building had
a beacon light from a turf fire to guide shipping. In 1722
the old tower was destroyed by fire and a new one built by
the citizens. The second building was also destroyed by a
fire in 1827, and was again rebuilt by the city fathers at
a cost of about 1,000 pounds. It has since passed into private
ownership and is now a restaurant.
Blarney Castle, Co. Cork
Blarney Castle is one of the most famous castles in the world.
On the parapet of a ruined tower lies one of the world's most
revered pieces of stone. The Blarney Stone is believed to
be half of The Stone of Scone upon which the Kings of Scotland
were crowned. It was given to Cormac MacCarthy by Robert the
Bruce in 1314. To kiss the Blarney Stone you have to lean
backwards out of the parapet.
Leap Castle, Co. Offaly
Leap Castle was an O'Carroll fortress. It guarded the pass from
the Slieve Bloom into Munster. In 1557 Leap was attacked by
Earl of Sussex.The O'Carroll family escaped. Around 1604 or
1605 some of the territory of Ely O'Carroll was attached to
Kings County which is now known as Offaly. Leap Castle is one
of the most haunted castles in Ireland.
Macroom Castle, Co. Cork
Macroom is dominated by castle walls and grounds with old stone,
arches and guns providing an elegant centre for the town. When
Macroom Castle was burnt (for the fourth time) during the War
of Independence Lady Ardilaun sold the remains to the Irish
people. The structure dominated the skyline of Macroom until
the 1960s when, in a dangerous condition, it had to be demolished.
Some parts of the castle are still to be seen in the grounds
of the castle demesne, which is a public park, with beautiful
riverway walks, situated in the heart of the town.
Castlemore's Castle, Co. Carlow
Built towards the end of the twelfth century by Raymond le Gross.
but only the ruins and the cemetery remains. Rathsillan was
known as Castletown or Fothered; but eventually became known
as Castlemore. The panoramic view makes it worthwhile seeing.
Nothing in the whole landscape betrays the historical importance
of the spot, except the old mote itself - and the ancient graves
of a country graveyard.
Leighlinbridge (Black) Castle, Co. Carlow
In 1180 Hugh de Lacy built the first castle here to defend the
river crossing. This place has had an eventful history. Come
springtime, when the pink valerians are in bloom, covering the
weather-worn stonework of the old bridge with a blush of flowers,
you will pause and stop, and go back to look again. All that
remains is the left half of the 14th century tower and part
of the bawn.
O'Brian's Tower, Co. Clare
O'Brian's Tower was built on the edge of the towering Cliffs
of Moher as an observation point in 1835 by Cornelius (Corney)
O'Brian, a descendant of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland
, and the O'Brian's of Bunratty Castle, Kings of Thomond. The
tower gives a panoramic view of the Clare coast line southward
to the mouth of the Shannon River and Kerry Mountains. West
and north are the Aran Islands, Galway City and the Twelve Bens
of ConnemaraThe tower has been restored and now serves as a
tourist information center and weather permitting, is open from
March until October 29th.
Drimangh Castle, Dublin
Drimnagh Castle, Longmile Road, Dublin 12 , is described as
Ireland's only fully restored medieval castle to possess a fully
flooded moat. It was built in 13th century by the Anglo Norman
family of Barnewall. It is now restored and has a great hall
with hand carved oak roof and balcomies, a richly coloured medieval
floor, a murder hole, a formal 17th century style garden and
a collection of fowl belonging to Br. Linnane, Principal of
the Christian Brothers secondary school .Well worth a visit
- Opening times April 1st - October 31st Wednesdays/Saturdays/
Sundays 12.00 noon to 5 pm
Dublin Castle, Dublin
This is where European Community chiefs drop by for a heads-of-state
summit. Built by the Normans in the 13th century, Dublin Castle
has only two of its original towers and a portion of the medieval
wall still standing. They are now the venue for Ireland's Presidencies
of the European Community, Presidential Inaugurations and State
Functions. Dublin Castle Tourist and Conference Facilities are
under the management of the Office of Public Works. The State
Apartments, Undercroft and Chapel Royal are open to visitors
(on occasion the State Apartments only may be closed for State
purposes). The Vaults Restaurant, Heritage Centre and Craft
Shop are also open to visitors.
Malahide Castle, Dublin
Malahide is said to be the oldest castle continuously inhabited
by the same family. Until 1976, apart from a period when they
were evicted by Cromwell, there were Talbots in residence at
Malahide. Many additions and alterations have been made to this
romantic and beautiful structure, but the contours of the surrounding
parklands have changed little in eight hundred years, retaining
a sense of the past. The grounds are also open to the public,
and appeal to all visitors, young and old.
Swords Castle, Dublin
Swords Castle is standing in the centre of the north county
Dublin town since 1200 A.D. It was built as a summer palace
for Archbishop Comyn.The Archbishop was also a Norman Baron
who had his own constable resident in the castle. The constable
was empowered to hold court and even to pass the death sentence.
For this purpose he had a gallows outside the town on the Brackenstown
Road. The castle has been a ruin since 1324 A.D. and is currently
being restored for the purposes of a heritage centre.
Ross Castle, Co. Kerry
Ross Castle was built in the 15th century on the shore of Killarney's
Lower lake by O'Donoghue Mór, who lost it after the Desmond
rebellion at the end of the sixteenth century.The castle was
used as a military barracks in the 18th and 19th centuries.
For a long time it fell into disrepair but recently the building
has been restored and now open to the public.
Barberstown Castle, Co. Kildare
Barberstown Castle was one of the first great Irish country
houses to open up its splendour to the outside world. The Castle
was built in the early 13th century by Nicholas Barby, a heritage
that embraces over 750 years of Irish history. It is an ideal
first or last stop on your country house tour of Ireland. The
castle now serves as a high class Hotel and Restaurant.
Shankill Castle, Paulstown, Co. Kilkenny
Set in beautiful parkland on the Carlow / Kilkenny border this
castellated house incorporates a building from 1713. The interior
preserves much of it's 18th century chacacter and features a
late Georgian staircase, Gothic plasterwork in the dinning room
and a charmingly Victorian drawing room. Visitors are invited
to walk in the grounds and gardens, and there are guided tours
of the house. Open - Easter weekend; Sundays and Bank holiday
Mondays in May; Sunday, Monday and Tuesday from June to September,
14:00 to 17:30. Parties and coach tours are welcome at other
times by prior arrangement.
Dunamase, Co. Loais
The Rock of Dunamase is one of the most prominent of the historical
sites. Once the fort of the O'Moore clan, it was destroyed by
Cromwell's troops in 1650. The ruins stand on a hill overlooking
Portlaoise, and if you climb the hill you can explore them at
your leisure. Lea Castle 3 km east of Portarlington is a Norman
castle, built in 1260 by William de Vesey. Like Dunamase, it
was destroyed by the Cromwellians after the rebellion of the
1640s.
Enniscorthy Castle, Co. Wexford
When the Normans built a castle they built it to last. Enniscorthy
Castle, in the centre of the town and overlooking the Slaney
River, proves the point. Nearly 800 years after its construction,
the huge castle is still in remarkable condition. Though restored
and modernised in recent times many original features remain.
Rathmacknee Castle, Co. Wexford
A castle probably erected in I451, The tower is five storeys
high, and has battlements which are typical of the I5 th and
16 th centuries in Ireland. The bawn wall is about 4 feet thick
and 24 feet high, with a round turret at the north-eastern corner
and a less prominent square one at the north-western corner.
It is almost complete, and gives a very good idea of what the
tower-houses and bawns of the 15 th and 16th centuries in Ireland
looked like.
Tara, Co. Meath
Tara, the settlement of the Celtic High Kings. Before Christianity,
Tara was the political and religious center. It was here,
at the "Lia Fail", the stone of destiny, the different tribes
and clans elected their "Ard Rí". The high king's power was
mostly symbolic. Disruption has always left its stamp on the
Emerald Isle. Tara was a settlement with fortifications, banquet
halls, houses, sun rooms (called "Grianan"), sacred grooves,
mounds, and of course the king's seat of honor. Mother Ireland
is out there, waiting for you, when you stand on the hill
of Tara. Newgrange is a stone grave from the neolithic era.
It was built 5500 years ago, predating the pyramids more than
1000 years.The facing is made of white quartzite and dark
granite. The 20 meter long passage inside the grave is narrow
and low. Once a year, at winter solstice, a sun beam finds
its way through the passage. The air is dry and fresh inside.
People have come to worship here for thousands of years. In
ancient days, the place was connected with the mysterious
Tuatha Dé Danann.
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Ireland