Ireland is home to a remarkable number of castles, with estimates suggesting that there are around 30,000 castles and castle ruins scattered across the country. These structures range from large, well-preserved fortresses to small, crumbling tower houses that dot the landscape. Many of these castles were built during the medieval period, particularly between the 12th and 16th centuries, when Ireland was a patchwork of rival kingdoms and clans.
The exact number can be difficult to pinpoint due to varying definitions of what constitutes a “castle” and because many of these structures are now in ruins or have been repurposed over the centuries. However, this vast number reflects Ireland’s turbulent history and the strategic importance of fortifications in a land marked by frequent conflicts and power struggles.
The Castle featured in the photograph is Kylemore Abbey and was originally built as a castle. It was constructed in the late 19th century as Kylemore Castle, a private residence for Mitchell Henry, a wealthy doctor and politician from Manchester, England. The castle was completed in 1871 and is located in the picturesque Connemara region of County Galway, Ireland.
The design of Kylemore Castle was inspired by Henry’s love for the natural beauty of the area, and it was intended as a romantic gift for his wife, Margaret. The castle featured 33 bedrooms, a ballroom, a library, and extensive gardens, including a walled Victorian garden. The architectural style is a blend of Gothic Revival and Victorian elements, giving it a fairytale-like appearance.
After a series of ownership changes, the castle was purchased by Benedictine nuns in 1920, who converted it into an abbey. Since then, it has been known as Kylemore Abbey. The nuns established a girls’ boarding school and continued to maintain the estate, including the gardens and the abbey itself. Although the school closed in 2010, the abbey remains a popular tourist attraction, known for its beautiful setting, historic architecture, and tranquil atmosphere.
We have provided a list of Castles of the most notable castles across Ireland, highlighting those that offer unique accommodation experiences. Whether you’re looking to stay in luxury at Ashford Castle or experience the historic charm of Ballygally Castle, Ireland’s castles offer something special for every visitor.
Leinster
- Dublin Castle – Dublin
- Description: A central piece of Irish history, this 13th-century castle was the seat of British rule in Ireland for centuries. Today, it serves as a government complex and a museum.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Kilkea Castle – County Kildare
- Description: Dating back to 1180, Kilkea Castle was once a medieval fortress of the Fitzgeralds. It has been beautifully restored and now operates as a luxurious hotel.
- Stay: Yes, available for accommodation.
- Kilkenny Castle – County Kilkenny
- Description: Built in 1195 by William Marshal, this impressive castle overlooks the River Nore and is a major tourist attraction, featuring beautiful gardens and art galleries.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Trim Castle – County Meath
- Description: Ireland’s largest Norman castle, dating from the 12th century. It was a filming location for the movie “Braveheart.”
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Malahide Castle – County Dublin
- Description: A stunning 12th-century castle surrounded by 260 acres of parkland, it was home to the Talbot family for nearly 800 years.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Ardmore Castle – County Waterford
- Description: A picturesque castle built in the 19th century, now privately owned.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Lea Castle – County Laois
- Description: A ruined Norman fortress dating back to the 13th century, located on the banks of the River Barrow.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Carlow Castle – County Carlow
- Description: A 13th-century castle has been largely ruined, with only part of the keep still standing.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Fern’s Castle – County Wexford
- Description: This 13th-century fortress was once a royal residence. It has two large towers remaining.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Ballymore Castle – County Kildare
- Description: Originally built in 1588, this castle has seen numerous alterations and extensions over the centuries.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Clonmore Castle – County Carlow
- Description: A 13th-century Norman castle, now largely in ruins, known for its defensive walls and towers.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Dunamase Castle – County Laois
- Description: A hilltop fortress with breathtaking views, dating back to the 12th century, now in ruins.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Slane Castle – County Meath
- Description: A Georgian Gothic castle famous for hosting outdoor rock concerts. It is the residence of the Conyngham family.
- Stay: Special events.
- Clongowes Wood Castle – County Kildare
- Description: A 13th-century castle, now part of Clongowes Wood College, a prestigious boarding school.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Clongowes Castle – County Meath
- Description: A former medieval castle now integrated into the modern structure of the school mentioned above.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
Munster
- Blarney Castle – County Cork
- Description: Famous for the Blarney Stone, this 15th-century castle is a major tourist attraction with beautiful gardens.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Bunratty Castle – County Clare
- Description: A 15th-century tower house, now part of a folk park that recreates 19th-century village life. It hosts medieval banquets.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- King John’s Castle – Limerick
- Description: A 13th-century castle on the River Shannon, known for its interactive exhibitions and well-preserved structure.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Cahir Castle – County Tipperary
- Description: One of Ireland’s largest and best-preserved castles, dating back to the 13th century, located on a rocky island in the River Suir.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Desmond Castle – County Limerick
- Description: A 13th-century fortress that played a key role in the Desmond Rebellions against English rule.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Ross Castle – County Kerry
- Description: A 15th-century tower house and keep on the edge of Lough Leane in Killarney National Park.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Barryscourt Castle – County Cork
- Description: A 16th-century castle, restored to its former glory with furnished rooms and guided tours.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Carrigafoyle Castle – County Kerry
- Description: A 15th-century fortress with panoramic views of the Shannon Estuary, now in ruins.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Blackrock Castle – County Cork
- Description: Originally built as a coastal defense fortress, now an observatory and science center.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Dromoland Castle – County Clare
- Description: A luxurious castle hotel, once the ancestral home of the O’Brien family, Kings of Thomond.
- Stay: Yes, available for accommodation.
- Kanturk Castle – County Cork
- Description: An unfinished 17th-century castle, known as the “Old Court,” built by the McDonagh MacCarthy family.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Castle Oliver – County Limerick
- Description: A Victorian Gothic castle with stunning architecture, available for private events and stays.
- Stay: Yes, available for private accommodation.
- Mitchelstown Castle – County Cork
- Description: Once the largest neo-Gothic castle in Ireland, it was demolished in 1922 after the Irish Civil War. Some parts remain as ruins.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Carrick-on-Suir Castle – County Tipperary
- Description: Known as Ormond Castle, this 16th-century mansion is a blend of fortified house and Renaissance architecture.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Glin Castle – County Limerick
- Description: The ancestral home of the Knights of Glin, this castle is available for private rental.
- Stay: Yes, available for private accommodation.
Connacht
- Ashford Castle – County Mayo
- Description: A 13th-century castle, now a world-renowned 5-star luxury hotel on the shores of Lough Corrib.
- Stay: Yes, available for accommodation.
- Kylemore Castle (Abbey) – County Galway
- Description: A stunning 19th-century castle turned abbey, surrounded by beautiful gardens and a lake.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation (though part of it serves as a monastery and school).
- Claregalway Castle – County Galway
- Description: A restored 15th-century tower house on the banks of the River Clare, often used for cultural events.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Ballintubber Castle – County Mayo
- Description: A Norman castle now in ruins, with a rich history connected to the Abbey nearby.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Roscommon Castle – County Roscommon
- Description: A large 13th-century Norman castle, now in ruins, located in a public park.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Portumna Castle – County Galway
- Description: A semi-fortified 17th-century mansion with beautiful gardens, partially restored.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Aughnanure Castle – County Galway
- Description: A well-preserved 16th-century tower house, once the stronghold of the O’Flaherty clan.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Lough Rynn Castle – County Leitrim
- Description: A stunning Victorian castle hotel set on the shores of Lough Rynn, known for its luxurious accommodations.
- Stay: Yes, available for accommodation.
- Castlebar Castle – County Mayo
- Description: A medieval castle, now mostly ruined, with a history tied to the town’s development.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Creevelea Castle – County Leitrim
- Description: A 16th-century castle, now in ruins, near the ruins of a Franciscan friary.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Castlecoote Castle – County Roscommon
- Description: A restored 17th-century castle, now a private residence that occasionally offers guided tours.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Rinville Castle – County Galway
- Description: A 16th-century tower house, part of the Rinville Park and Woods, now in ruins.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Doe Castle – County Donegal
- Description: A 15th-century castle on a small peninsula, historically significant for its association with the MacSweeney Clan.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Cregg Castle – County Galway
- Description: A 17th-century fortified house, once available for rental, though currently not offering accommodations.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation (currently).
- Moygara Castle – County Sligo
- Description: A ruined 16th-century castle, once a stronghold of the O’Garas, located in a remote area.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
Ulster
- Dunluce Castle – County Antrim
- Description: A dramatic medieval castle perched on cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, now in ruins.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Enniskillen Castle – County Fermanagh
- Description: A 16th-century castle that houses two museums: the Fermanagh County Museum and the Inniskillings Museum.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Carrickfergus Castle – County Antrim
- Description: A Norman castle built in 1177, one of the best-preserved medieval structures in Ireland.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Burt Castle – County Donegal
- Description: A ruined 16th-century castle with a commanding view over Lough Swilly, historically significant for its role in the Nine Years’ War.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Donegal Castle – County Donegal
- Description: A restored 15th-century castle, once the stronghold of the O’Donnell clan.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Glenarm Castle – County Antrim
- Description: One of Northern Ireland’s oldest estates, home to the McDonnell family. The estate is open to the public, and there is also a guesthouse on the estate.
- Stay: Yes, available for accommodation in the estate’s guesthouse.
- Ballygally Castle – County Antrim
- Description: A 17th-century castle on the Antrim coast, now a haunted hotel with views over the Irish Sea.
- Stay: Yes, available for accommodation.
- Castle Ward – County Down
- Description: A unique 18th-century mansion with both Gothic and Classical styles, known for its beautiful gardens and as a filming location for “Game of Thrones.”
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Killyleagh Castle – County Down
- Description: A fairytale-like castle that dates back to the 12th century, currently a private residence.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Rathfarnham Castle – County Dublin
- Description: A 16th-century fortified house, now a national monument with art exhibitions.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Castle Caldwell – County Fermanagh
- Description: A ruined 17th-century castle set in a forest park, known for its scenic surroundings.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Shane’s Castle – County Antrim
- Description: A ruined 14th-century castle on the banks of Lough Neagh, still owned by the O’Neill family.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Ballycastle Castle – County Antrim
- Description: Ruins of a 16th-century castle with a rich history tied to local conflicts and the MacDonnell clan.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Grianan of Aileach – County Donegal
- Description: An ancient hillfort rather than a castle, with stunning views and deep historical significance.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Monea Castle – County Fermanagh
- Description: A 17th-century Scottish Plantation castle, now in ruins but with significant historical interest.
- Stay: Not available for accommodation.
- Killeavy Castle is located in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. Specifically, it is situated on the slopes of Slieve Gullion, in the Ring of Gullion, an area of outstanding natural beauty. The castle is near the village of Killeavy, and it is approximately 8 kilometers (5 miles) south of the city of Newry.
This list includes some of the most notable castles across Ireland, highlighting those that offer unique accommodation experiences. Whether you’re looking to stay in luxury at Ashford Castle or experience the historic charm of Ballygally Castle, Ireland’s castles offer something special for every visitor.
Exploring these castles offers a journey through the ages, providing a tangible link to the legends, battles, and lives that shaped Ireland. Whether you’re a history buff, a lover of architecture, or simply seeking the magic of the Emerald Isle, Ireland’s ancient castles are sure to leave an indelible mark on your heart. For further information contact: https://www.myirelandtour.com/travelguide/culture/castles-and-settlements/index.php