Castles are believed to be among the best types of construction that you could ever come across. They are not only beautiful but also have a deep history behind them which makes them special for the tourists.
When it comes to castles, Ireland is among the most dominating places in the world with multiple castles in there. A lot of people visit Ireland just to get immersed within the majestic beauty of the castles there. There are plenty of castles in Ireland and ranking them in order was a tough ask. However, if you are in Ireland then you must visit as many castles as you can from the given list below.
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Best Castles to Visit in Ireland
When it comes to castles in Ireland then the sky is the limit. However, the following list tells about the best of the best castles in Ireland that you must visit:
#1. Bunratty Castle
This one is the most picturesque and beloved castles that you will ever come across in Ireland. For the same given reason, it is the top castle on our list as well. The place had some earlier settlements as well which was first built in the 1400s. This fortified tower house is in the County Clare which got completely restored in the 1960s. The beauty of this castle is its gray stone which makes it unique and special.
The castle was furnished with antiques that were from the 15th and 16th centuries. Those antiques would give you an idea that how life had been at that time when this castle was first built. The credits for the construction and the ownership of this castle go to the immensely powerful MacNamara family.
You may visit the castle and have your tickets booked for the medieval banquets as well. It will be a highly fascinating experience. Those medieval banquets in the Bunratty Castle are organized every day except for a few exceptions which are mentioned in advance. Therefore, do check out in advance before visiting the castle.
#2. Kilkenny Castle
This beautiful castle is just one hour drive away from Dublin. It is located in the Leinster province. The castle itself is the symbol of the Norman Empire’s occupation. The construction of this castle began at the end of the 12th century. This is the first castle having wooden construction which was done by Richard de Clare who is also known as the Strongbow. It used square-shaped stone in the construction of this building which got completed in 1213.
Three of the original towers constructed back then still survive today. The castle was restored during the mid-19th century when it got restored during a highly large-scale project. This castle itself is a highly considerable element in the landscape around it. You will be mesmerized to see that how the town has expanded around it. The River Nore flows right past this place. It further adds to the charm and beauty of this castle. A boat ride in the river will be a quite fascinating experience. Make sure that you don’t miss that opportunity where you will get some elegant angles of the castle.
#3. Classiebawn Castle
This is one of the most picturesque castles in Ireland. The backdrop of this castle is amazing. It is located in the Mullaghmore village in the Country Sligo. The first impression of this castle is such that this one is plucked right out of a fairytale. The subject castle was built by Viscount Palmerston. He was also once the prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1874. In the construction of this castle, stone from Donegal was used. This castle over the years passed through several hands.
The most significant moment in the history of this castle came when someone from the Royal Family got killed nearby. So, it does have a history of itself and it offers everything that you could expect from a charming castle for the visitors. You will be fond of this place and couldn’t resist taking countless pictures of the castle and its backdrop. It is situated in a village so getting to this one through your car will be the most convenient way.
#4. Ashford Castle
A lot of people dream about living in some beautiful castle. Unfortunately, this is not possible. The best you could do is to visit that place. If you are in Ireland then Ashford Castle would be a great experience. It is located in the North-West of Ireland. This among all the castles mentioned here is quite different. This one is not only a castle for the visitors but it is also among the most luxurious five-star hotels of Ireland and even beyond.
If you ever wish to live in a castle then here is your opportunity. It offers all the luxurious facilities that you could find in any top hotel in the world. However, this comes at a good hefty cost. The castle was originally constructed in the early 13th century. The last renovation of the castle was done in the 18th century. It is more of a French chateau of the 17th century. The castle used to be a family house and also a hunting lodge that belonged to the Brown Family.
#5. McDermott’s Castle
The next castle is one of the most unique castles that Ireland has got to offer to the visitors. This magical structure is situated in the County Roscommon where the castle itself is surrounded by the waters of Lough Key. This is a place known for having as many as 30 islands but none of them is better than Castle Island. It is right on this castle where the ruins of McDermott’s Castle could be found. You will be able to find local guides there who could show you around not just the castle but the entire vicinity of County Roscommon.
They will also tell you about the interesting history of the castle. The most famous story is of a young couple which is more about a tragic incident between them. The story is many decades old and you will feel bad for the couple after hearing about their misery. This wouldn’t overshadow the real charm of the castle and will make you visit again.
#6. Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle has got a history of more than 500 years. It is a very unique castle and one of the finest for tourists to explore in Ireland. Once you reach this castle than doing climb the steps of this structure and explore the awesome Rock Close. You may wish to kiss the Blarney Stone and that moment will be worth capturing in a photograph. It is one of the most renowned things to do in this specific region and you really cannot afford to miss it.
The kissing of the Blarney Stone means that the tourist has given the gift of persuasiveness. On top of this, don’t forget to spare some time to visit the Poison Gardens. Those are within the grounds of the castle where you will find the likes of opium and ricin along with cannabis as well. It is a cool place to take photographs but make sure that you don’t touch them at all. More information about this could be found from the tourist center and the local guides available there.
#7. Malahide Castle
This is one of the easiest to access castles in Ireland. It is just nine miles away from Dublin on the north side. The history of this castle dates back to the 13th century and it is surely one of the finest castles that you will ever witness in Ireland. Once you are here on the premises of the castle then make sure to explore the rich 800 years of history of the Malahide Castle.
The most special of these is the medieval rooms and then also the various antiques of the time. Moreover, do watch out for the ghosts of the Malahide Castle which are believed to haunt the castle itself. If you are lucky to visit this castle on a sunny day then do take out some time to experience the beautiful Walled Garden within the vicinity of the castle. The butterfly house makes it even more stunning. The place is good for enjoying one whole day and you will feel like coming here again.
#8. Doe Castle
Doe Castle is located in the County Donegal in the northwestern part of Ireland. It is a much-visited castle simply because of its architecture which looks so cool. From three of its sides, it is surrounded by water. The castle was built over a peninsula that comes with a moat cleaved right in the rock of the landward side. Doe Castle in short looks like if it is floating in the water. The best view of this historic structure is from a wide spot at the Carrigart Creeslough road which is at a distance of 10 miles from the Dunfanaghy village.
It has high length outer walls along with the four main towers ring which rings the inner structure. It is a four-story inner tower. Please note that the interior of this castle is not technically open for the general public or tourists. The local staff there opens the gates of the castle daily so you could get inside. Doe Castle is regarded as one of the most rustic castles of Ireland. Therefore, you shouldn’t expect any sort of audio guides and tours here.
#9. Carrickfergus Castle
The Carrickfergus Castle is located in the County Antrim. It is one of the most impressive Norman castles. Moreover, it is also one of the oldest castles. It was built by John de Courcy in 1177 after he invaded Ulster. To this date, this structure remains the best-preserved medieval castle in Ireland. All this is a face despite being beleaguered by the Irish, Scots, French, and the English. If you visit the museum there in the castle then you will get to understand the central role of this structure which is played in the history of Ireland.
The William of Orange landed there in 1690 for fighting the stiff Battle of the Boyne. The castle exactly overlooks that harbor. John Paul Jones, the American naval commander in 1778 won an hour-long sea battle right in the waters of the harbor. He was fighting against the Royal Navy vessel. In short, this place has a lot of history and some amazing facts as well. It might not be in the best shape, but the ruins of the castles give a fascinating sight to the visitor.
#10. Enniskillen Castle
The Enniskillen Castle is located in County Fermanagh, Ireland. This fascinating castle was established sometime in the 1420s on the Lough Erne banks by Hugh Maguire. He was known by his nickname of ‘the Hospitable’, but he didn’t have much opportunity to live up to the reputation of his nickname. It is because he went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and died in 1428 after his return. The successive heads of the Maguire clan improved much on the original structure and a lot of that is still preserved even today.
This castle is now home to an excellent museum of Fermanagh County. The Lakelands Gallery is on the ground floor where you will see a 1,000 years old block of butter preserved in a bog. It got dug up in 190 and weighs a total of 35 pounds. This will be one of the highlights of this castle if you happen to visit this place as a tourist.
In Ireland, it is believed that you couldn’t travel too far without catching a definite glimpse of some castle in the nearby vicinity. Ireland is home to more than 30,000 castles and finding the best ones was quite challenging but not impossible. The narrowed-down list of the best castles in Ireland will help you to know which castles you have to standby and how you are going to get the most out of your visit there.
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