Ireland is full of some of the most beautiful castles on earth.
Many of these impressive fortifications were constructed between the Middle Ages and the late 19th century.
Some are now in ruins while others are privately owned or used as luxury hotels.
These castles stand not only as major tourist attractions but as testaments to various eras in Irish history.
Of the many still standing, here are the 12 most beautiful castles in Ireland!
12 Most Beautiful Castles in Ireland
1. Ashford Castle
Ashford Castle is a luxurious location in northwest Ireland.
Today, it serves as one of the country’s highest-rated five-star hotels.
This distinguishes it from other locales on this list that are tougher or perhaps nigh impossible to get into (let alone stay in)!
The castle originates from the early 13th century, though the structure now standing was built in the 18th.
The castle originally served as a family home and hunting lodge for the Brown family of Baron Oranmore and Browne.
It is built with a combination of Victorian and medieval architecture.
2. Kilkenny Castle
Kilkenny Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in Ireland.
It is especially renowned for its surrounding town and gorgeous landscape.
About one hour’s drive from Dublin, Kilkenny is located in the province of Leinster.
It stands as a testament to the Norman occupation, with construction beginning at the end of the 12th century.
The first iteration of Kilkenny Castle was likely a wooden frame built by Richard de Clare, known as “Strongbow,” the 2nd Earl of Pembroke.
Three of the original towers still survive.
Today, most of the castle dates to the 19th century after a large-scale restoration.
3. Cahir Castle
Cahir Castle is located in southeast Ireland and is one of the country’s largest castles.
It is an imposing medieval fortress featuring massive walls and a moat surrounding a jaw-dropping keep.
The structure is enormous and intimidating as you approach.
This castle dates to the middle of the 12th century.
The structure was heavily damaged by cannon fire in 1599.
The keep was again besieged in the 17th century during the Irish Confederate Wars.
It remains one of the few Irish castles to maintain a working portcullis.
4. Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle is best known for its famous Blarney Stone.
According to legend, hanging backward over the bridge and kissing the stone grants a person the gift of eloquence.
Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit annually to visit the castle and stone.
The structure is partially in ruins but remains a highly regarded example of medieval Irish architecture.
The keep was built in the 15th century on the site of previous fortifications.
Blarney Castle was besieged during the Confederate Wars.
The exterior remains impressively well-maintained.
Visitors can climb the renowned spiral staircase and explore the gardens containing numerous poisonous plants.
5. Bunratty Castle
Bunratty is a well-preserved square tower in western Ireland, located in County Clare.
This exquisite tower dates from the 14th century.
It remains one of the most complete authentic Irish fortresses dating from the Middle Ages.
Three structures previously stood on the site, including an early Viking fort.
The interior holds numerous works of art and furnishings from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Bunratty Castle was damaged during the Irish Confederate Wars because of its important strategic position.
The castle controls the waterways leading to Limerick, making it a key gain for the Confederates.
6. The Rock of Cashel
The Rock of Cashel is an unforgettable sight despite its state of ruin.
It is located in County Tipperary and serves as a main focal point for the landscape.
The castle’s oldest portions are its tallest, with a round tower from 1100 that is 28 meters high.
The famous Cormac’s Chapel is visually stunning with wide arches and vaulted ceilings.
Surrounding the Rock of Cashel is a large graveyard within a massive walled complex.
From below, the Rock of Cashel is one of the more intimidating castles in Europe.
7. Donegal Castle
Donegal Castle is unique on this list for its distinguishing appearance.
Donegal Castle resembles a traditional Jacobean country home more than a typical medieval castle.
This gives it a popular charm, especially since it was freshly restored in the late 20th century.
Donegal Castle is located in Donegal Town in Ulster and dates to the 15th century.
It is an impressive rectangular keep, with the Jacobean-style wing being added on later.
Donegal Castle sits near River Eske and possesses a surrounding boundary wall constructed in the 17th century.
Local limestone and sandstone were used in the castle’s construction.
8. Dublin Castle
Located in the heart of Dublin in jarring and astounding contrast with the surrounding architecture, Dublin Castle is now an Irish government building.
While there has been a castle at this location since King John, the current structure only dates to the 18th century.
Residents constructed Dublin Castle while the city was still under Norman occupation.
Eventually, it morphed into a residence.
The original medieval fortress caught fire in the late 17th century and was reconstructed as a Georgian palace.
No medieval characteristics remain above ground level.
9. Malahide Castle
Malahide Castle lies about half an hour’s train ride from the center of Dublin.
The oldest portions of this structure date to the 12th century.
During the 15th century, King Edward IV ordered enlargement and renovation projects.
The castle’s towers weren’t completed until the middle of the 17th century.
The castle features four reception rooms as well as bedrooms for public viewing.
Furniture and paintings from the period decorate the interior.
Formerly, Malahide Castle was surrounded by an outer wall and a moat.
It featured a portcullis, a barbican, and even a drawbridge.
10. Lismore Castle
Nestled in South Ireland, Lismore Castle in the seat of the Duke of Devonshire is a regal royal residence.
It was possessed by the Cavendish family from the mid-18th century onwards.
It features many large towers, turrets, and a massive inner courtyard.
The castle overlooks River Blackwater and remains a private residence.
This distinguishes it from many other castles on this list.
However, Lismore Castle is open for guided tours and events with up to 27 guests.
It is an iconic location for events and celebrations seeking a fairytale setting.
11. Dunguaire Castle
Dunguaire Castle is located in County Galway.
Built in the 15th century, the castle eventually came under the ownership of the great Irish writer Oliver St. John Gogarty.
During Gogarty’s residence, Dunguaire became a hub for some of the 20th century’s greatest poets and literary figures, including George Bernard Shaw and W.B. Yeats.
Today, the castle is an immersive tourist attraction where visitors can learn about the history of the site and even enjoy a historical banquet.
12. Dun Aengus
Located in the remote Aran Isles off the coast of Ireland, Dun Aengus is one of the most breathtaking prehistoric castles in the country.
It now lies in ruins, but it is still a great place to visit for anyone willing to take a bit of a day trip.
Dun Aengus stands on the enormous cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, offering a view unlike any other.
Archaeologists date the castle to 3,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest intact castles in the world and an unrivaled example of prehistoric architecture in Europe.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which Castle in Ireland is Biggest?
Trim Castle in County Meath on the shores of the Boyne is Ireland’s largest castle.
It has an area of 30,000 square meters.
Trim Castle is the largest Norman castle in all of Europe.
How Did People Build the Irish Castles?
Irish castles were constructed using Norman masonry techniques.
Workers would pre-mark rocks at the quarry site to designate them for different functions.
Stones were then usually carted to the building site.
Castles were assembled stone-by-stone using a massive wooden scaffolding.
Construction would typically take anywhere from two to 10 years.
Castle walls vary greatly in height but are most often between 2.5 and six meters thick.
Why Are So Many Irish Castles in Ruins?
Numerous Irish castles were damaged or destroyed during the Irish revolutionary period from 1919 to 1923.
At least 275 country houses were intentionally destroyed by the Irish Republican Army.
Who Built Irish Castles?
Unlike most European countries, Ireland never had any royal family.
This means that Irish castles are unique because they are not typically royal residences or constructions.
Most Irish castles were constructed under the Norman occupation.
They were typically used for defense and as family dwellings.
The Normans brought cut-stone fortification buildings to the island when they invaded.
Castle construction ramped up about 100 years after the Normans took power.
However, some Irish castles, like Bunratty, date back to pre-Norman Viking forts.
The first true Irish castle fortress was constructed under the direction of the Norman Robert De Muscegros.
What is Ireland’s Newest Castle?
Adare Manor is Ireland’s newest castle.
It is a romantic Victorian mansion located in County Limerick.
It started as Adare House but was eventually renovated into its modern structure.
How Many Castles Are There in Ireland?
Ireland is extremely rich in both castles and castle ruins.
It possesses a whopping 30,000 castles and/or castle ruins in its approximately 32,000 square miles.
It’s difficult to travel in Ireland without encountering multiple beautiful structures or ruinous sites, even by mistake.
Ireland has the most castles of any country on earth, followed closely behind by Germany.
What is Ireland’s Oldest Castle?
Killyleagh Castle in County Down is Ireland’s oldest castle.
Parts of the structure date to 1180.
It is also the oldest inhabited castle in the country.
I have always been fascinated by castles and Ireland’s rich history only adds to their allure. The 12 castles mentioned in this post are truly stunning and each one has its own unique story to tell. I would love to visit all of them someday, especially Dun Aengus with its breathtaking location on the cliffs.
It’s amazing to see how these castles have stood the test of time and continue to be major tourist attractions, serving as a testament to different eras in Irish history.