Map of Castles & Historic Houses in Ireland
Kilruddery House & Gardens , Co Wicklow
A th century garden little changed in centuries the gardens at Kilruddery House are of special interest to gardening historians but you certainly don't have to be one to enjoy them The house has been home to the same family for almost centuries and is only open in May June and September but it's worth making an effort to see if you are here at the right time... Read More
Westport House and Gardens , Co Mayo
An interesting old house in a beautiful location with Clew Bay on one side and a serenely lovely lake on the other There is a virtual theme park in the grounds which won't be to everyone's taste but is terrific fun for kids... Read More
Belfast Castle , Co Antrim
The work of architect Charles Lanyon this Victorian castle is built in an ornate Scottish Baronial style and was completed in Outside cat lovers will have a good time finding all nine of the cats depicted in mosaic painting and sculpture in the gardens from which there is a great view of Belfast... Read More
Dublin Castle , Co Dublin
Dublin Castle was the centre of British rule in Ireland for centuries and scene of many contentious events over the years It now houses state offices but guided tours are available Recent excavations have exposed parts of the original th century castle built at the 'black pool' that gave Dublin its name... Read More
Thoor Ballylee , Co Galway
This small tower in a secluded location was once home to the poet William Butler Yeats who restored it as a home for his family Following his death it fell into disrepair as he predicted but has now been returned to the way it was when the Yeats family lived there in the early part of the th century... Read More
Kilkenny Castle , Co Kilkenny
One of the earliest and most important Norman castles in Ireland sits high on a hill overlooking the river Nore at the heart of the city that grew up around it There are impressive grounds and gardens surrounding it and many of the other buildings in the area were in one way or another linked to life in the castle over the centuries... Read More
Blarney Castle , Co Cork
A visit to Blarney Castle and a chance to kiss the Blarney stone are fixtures on many Irish tour itineraries but is it actually a must-see or something of a tourist trap Well the castle is pretty there are good gardens around it and kissing the stone is a bit of harmless fun but we'll leave you to decide for yourself whether or not a visit is worthwhile... Read More
Casino Marino , Co Dublin
An architectural gem this folly was built as a garden pavilion for James Caulfield the st Earl of Charlemont a wealthy landowner with a huge interest in art The design is based on classical Greek architecture for which the young earl acquired a taste during visits to Italy and Greece while on his 'Grand Tour' of Europe It is not now and never was a gambling casino... Read More
Barryscourt Castle , Co Cork
This is a domestic scale castle typical of the type a wealthy family would have lived in in Norman Ireland In this case it was the home of the DeBarry family who came to Ireland via Wales in and were given large tracts of land in East Cork by King John of England The castle was not just a home it was designed too for easy defense with almost impenetrable walls and good views of all approaches... Read More
Desmond Castle , Co Cork
Built around and a typical urban tower house of that time Desmond Castle has had a varied if not always illustrious serving variously as a home a prison a workhouse a tollhouse and now a museum It now houses a Wine Museum documenting Ireland's surprisingly extensive involvement in European wine making since as early as... Read More
Castle Coole , Co Fermanagh
The Castle is not really a castle in the sense that most people understand the term but a perfect example of an elegant and impressive Neo-Classical country house Castle Coole is now in the care of the British National Trust... Read More
Tullynally Castle , Co Westmeath
Tullynally has been home to the Pakenham family for more that years and still is It's very much a living home but has changed relatively little over the years and its interior gives a wonderful glimpse into how life was lived both upstairs and downstairs in Ireland's great houses... Read More
