Melo Villareal
Best Castles to Visit in Ireland
Ireland is filled with a wide variety of castles throughout the country with each having immense significance to the history of the country and they include romantic ruins, military tower, stately homes, luxury castle hotels and many more. Some of the best castles to visit in Ireland are listed here.
Trim Castle
The castle was built by the Anglo0-Norman nobleman Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter and it is the largest castle built in Ireland. The castle is situated in County Meath and it became an administrative center of local governance which was set up by King Henry II after the Norman invasion of Ireland in the late 12th century. The castle was also used as a filming location in 1995 for the filming of Braveheart. The castle is opened to the public and tour starts at 10 am with a small entry fee to pay.
Blarney Castle
This castle is one of the best castles to visit in Ireland and it is located in southern Ireland and one of the activities that you must do here is to kiss the notorious Blarney Stone. The castle is swarm with thousands of tourist every year and you will have to climb 10 flights of stairs which is located at the top of the castle’s main tower. The highlight of the tower is the floral garden which covers more than 60 acres of land.
Ashford Castle
This castle was constructed on an old monastic site by a prominent Anglo-Norman family in 1228 and it was expanded greatly when it was bought by the Guinness family in the 19th century and it undergoes another extension in the 1970 and it is now used as a five-star luxury hotel which attracts many famous celebrities both nationally and internationally.
Bunratty Castle
This is among the best castle to visit in Ireland and it is located on Folk Park which is an ancient Viking trading camp and it dates back to 970 AD. The castle is also close to Shannon Airport and it is a castle to be built onsite. The original castle was destroyed in battle and this is the perfect place in Ireland where you will get to enjoy a traditional medieval feast. The feast is set to the tune of a medieval instrument and you will be served by women who are dressed in medieval gowns.
Cahir Castle
This is among the largest castle in Ireland and it is preserved very well as it maintains the keep, tower, and defense structures as it was built in 1142. The castle was the former stronghold of the Butler family and it is located on a rocky island on the River Suir in Tipperary County. You should try to book a guided tour in advance and explore the spiral suitcases from the top of Cahir Tower. The highlight of the castle that it features a 15-minute movie where you will get to learn about the story of Irish Castles and it gives a historical overview of the function of castle fortresses in Ireland.
Dublin Castle
This is situated in the heart of the nation’s capital and it was at the centre of British rule in Ireland till 1922. The highlight of the castle is that it homes two cafes, two museums, an international conference center, and two gardens that you can explore. You can roam the ground for free but you have to go on a guided tour if you want to see the interior of State Apartments. The castle is also close to many other tourist attractions that you can also visit after you leave here.
Cabra Castle
This castle was built in the early 19th century in a style which is made to look like the earlier Norman architecture. The castle is now a luxury hotel (hotel info) and it is located in the serene south-eastern corner of the rural county of Cavan near the border with Meath. This is one of the best places to go if you want to relax in both luxurious and natural surroundings. Weddings and many other public functions are held on the grounds of this castle.
Find Hotels in Ireland according to your budget via Agoda.
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