6 Cool Castles and Things to Do in Ireland

From Blarney Castle to Dunluce Castle, plan the trip of a lifetime

Visitors can see a range of medieval buildings at the Rock of Cashel in Ireland.

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Lorrie Lynch,

AARP

En español

Published August 22, 2023

There are about 30,000 castles and ruins in Ireland, so it’s easy to pretend you’re royalty for at least a day when visiting the whole island.

As my companions and I road-tripped from north to south and east to west we stood on the site where St. Patrick baptized the Irish King Aengus (fifth century), snapped selfies in front of our ancestors’ castle home and imagined battles waged on the rough-hewn coast of Northern Ireland.

The sheer number of dwellings and ruins speaks to the historic necessity of castles here. Most were not built as opulent homes for royalty or the rich, but as fortified structures for protection of ruling chieftains.

With a dash of imagination and a good guide, Ireland’s castles tell the island’s complex story. Here are six places where we experienced just that. Of course, it’s always a good idea to research before you go: Hours can change by day and season. You can also buy tickets and see accessibility details for most of the castles online. Note: Pricing can change depending on the exchange rate.

The Rock of Cashel is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Ireland.

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1. Rock of Cashel, Cashel, County Tipperary

From Dublin, we traveled about two hours and 45 minutes on two-lane roads through verdant hills topped with white wind turbines to Cork, the second-largest city in the Republic of Ireland and our base for three days in the south. We have four castles in mind, beginning with Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland’s most visited tourist attractions, according to the Office of Public Works, which manages 780 properties.

From a distance, the castle rises dramatically above the small town of Cashel, an imposing juxtaposition of medieval history and modern life. Once on the grounds (a bit of a climb from a nearby parking lot) you can see for miles in every direction, which was once important for protecting the settlements around the compound and now provides a wondrous view. When you tour the ruins and stand in the graveyard among the stark beauty of Celtic crosses, Ireland’s ancient history comes alive. It was on this site in the fifth century that St. Patrick baptized King Aengus. The castle was the seat of kings of the Munster region for centuries. Tickets cost about $9 for adults, about $7 for those 60-plus.

Cahir Castle was built in the 13th century on an island in the Suir River.

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2. Cahir Castle, Cahir, County Tipperary

Cahir Castle is about 12 miles from Rock of Cashel, so we decided to make it a two-castle day and see another testament to the industriousness of the ancient clans. Built in the 13th century, this defensive structure was considered state-of-the-art, with innovative defense plays such as sliver-like vertical windows from which to shoot arrows and “murder holes” from which defenders could dump hot liquids or oils on attackers below. Sited on an island in the Suir River, Cahir Castle looks like it grows up and out of the rock; the rock is presumed to be an original fort. Today, white swans glide on the river near a lovely waterfall, and a riverside path gives visitors a place for satisfying strolls. Tickets cost about $5.50 for adults, about $4.50 for those 60-plus.

blarney castle in the village of blarney in ireland

Blarney Castle is located in the village of Blarney, about 5 miles from the city of Cork.

By Fred Meier

3. Blarney Castle & Gardens, Blarney, County Cork

I’d been to Ireland twice without kissing the famous Blarney Stone. On this trip, that was to be remedied. Blarney Castle, 5 miles from the city of Cork in the village of Blarney, is best known for the stone with mysterious history and mythical powers, found at the top of the castle. Climbing the narrow stone stairs to get to it, I imagine women dressed in layers of skirts navigating this route with food and drink; men in armor carrying weapons. But today, kissing the Blarney Stone is what it’s all about. This small feat requires lying on your back – holding tight onto iron bars – bending your neck and head backward and puckering up. (Officials disinfect after each kiss.) Alas, I am still awaiting the eloquence the stone is said to convey. The magnificent 60-acre Blarney Castle property also offers acres of gardens and three marked walking trails among them. One could spend hours wandering in the blooms; just don’t miss the well-marked carnivorous and poison gardens. Tickets cost about $22 for adults, $17.50 for those 65-plus.

Visitors can take self-guided and guided tours through Kilkenny Castle and the surrounding gardens.

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4. Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, County Kilkenny

The castle towers at the high end of this delightful town’s medieval mile; St. Canice’s Cathedral can be seen at the other end. Between the two are modern-day coffee shops and eateries, Smithwick’s brewery, department stores, Irish design shops and, on certain days, a market full of merchants under tents. But make no mistake, much of the fun in visiting Kilkenny is in the Kilkenny Castle, built in the 1300s. Stepping into the castle feels like a trip back in time, walking through furnished drawing and dining rooms, bedrooms and nurseries, many adorned with paintings and tapestries dating to the 17th century.

Before or after a guided tour of the castle, explore the estate grounds and gardens. From the upper castle windows they look like a picture postcard, but once in the midst you’ll appreciate them even more. Self-guided tours cost about $9 for adults (about $13 for guided tours), about $6.50 for those 60-plus (about $11 for guided tours).

The centuries-old Dunguaire Castle offers a glimpse into medieval life on the Emerald Isle.

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5. Dunguaire Castle, Kinvara, County Galway

This centuries-old structure demands attention as it sits tall on Galway Bay in Kinvara, about 35 minutes from the Republic of Ireland’s bustling fourth-largest city, Galway. Dunguaire Castle was built in the 1520s and passed in the 17th century to the Martyn clan, one of 14 merchant families who became prominent in that period. Here you can imagine what medieval life was like on this rugged western side of the Emerald Isle — the castle even offers regular medieval banquets between April and October to replicate how things might have been. Note: If you are called Lynch, your clan too was one of the merchant families and there’s a castle in the center of Galway with your name on it. Tickets for Dunguaire cost about $8 for adults, about $6 for older adults.

The ruins of Dunluce Castle overlook the ocean in Northern Ireland.

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6. Dunluce Castle, Bushmills, County Antrim

After a morning of touring the majestic Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a true must-see in the north, we head to Dunluce Castle, the ruins of which stand silent sentry over the ocean from high above the coastal cliffs at the top of Northern Ireland. Built in the 16th century, its dramatic profile alone makes it worthy of exploration. If you’re a Game of Thrones fan you will be delighted to walk around the seat of House Greyjoy in the Iron Islands. Dunluce is also about 4 miles from the charming beach town of Portrush, a perfect stop for a meal or an overnight stay (plenty of hotels offer sea views) and the setting for one full episode of the popular streaming series Derry Girls. Tickets cost about $8 for adults, about $6 for those 65-plus. Note: Currency is pounds in Northern Ireland.