castles historical ireland

History is built layer upon layer at Lismore which means 'great fort' in Irish. Prince John built the original castle there in 1185. The Bishops of Lismore Built an episcopal palace on its ruins and the estate was granted for a time to Walter Raleigh for a rent of IR12 p.a. He sold the property to Richard Boyle, later 1st Earl of Cork, who rebuilt the castle, parts of which are incorporated in the present castle built in the mid-19th century by the 6th Duke of Devonshire. The 1st Earl of Cork...

Castle: This Norman castle may have been built on an earlier ringfort by the main bridge across the Maigue or it may be contemporary. The square tower is of the castle is surrounded by a rampart with battlements To the south a drawbridge crosses the fort’s ditch. Surrounding this ditch is a further wall. Two gates offered access through it, the obviously more strategic south one protected by two towers.

Franciscan Friary: Now surrounded by the Adare Manor golf course, this friary was...

Family seat of the O'Neills at Clanaboy. The Demesne and nature reserve is one of the most beautiful and well maintained in Ireland. Bookings by appointment....

It's entered by a gate-house, with corbelled turrets of Scottish type. To the right on entering are the pillars of a unique open loggia in the Italian style, which must have become redundant when the Great Hall was built up against it early in the 17th century. This two-storeyed hall, with fine (partially reconstructed) windows to the west, is a gracious building with finely moulded stones at parapet level which once supported the long-vanished roof. Beyond are kitchens and domestic quarters,...

Built nearly 1000 years ago for the McCarthy Clan, Blarney Castle remains one of Ireland's oldest castles. Blarney Castle is a world-renowned attraction and should not be missed by anyone visiting the South West of Ireland.
The castle is full of historical treasures, which you can learn about if you visit and take a guided tour. Take time to explore the castle's beautiful surroundings also - they are truly breathtaking. Such sites include the Witches kitchen, the castle dungeons and t...

In the midst of a beautiful 700 acre estate on the shores of Strangford Lough, seven miles east of Downpatrick, stands Castle Ward - an 18th century "architectrual wonder"....

A fine castle built by the O'Flahertys around 1500. It is a six-storey tower with a good fireplace on the 3rd storey and a vault over the 4th. The roof is a good modern reconstruction. There are two corner bartizans on the 3rd floor.

The castle is unusual in having two bawns. The inner one is well preserved along the riverside and has a rounded turret with a fine corbelled roof at the south-western corner. The outer bawn also has a turret at the south-western corner, and encloses t...

Castle Upton Estate comprises a unique double yard by Robert Adam which dates to 1793; Lady Kinahan's Art Gallery and Templetown Mausoleum. Part of the house dates from 1100. 3 acre garden grounds; including small lake with varied waterfowl....

Redwood Castle was constructed by Normans in 1210, but came into the possession of the Mac Egans, the leading Irish Family of Brehon Lawyers in 1350. They established a famous Law School which flourished for three hundred years, until the castle was destroyed by fire in 1650. The ruin was acquired and restored by an Egan lawyer in the 1970s....

Lynch’s Castle was once the home to the most powerful family in Galway. This incredible limestone building is a fine example of an Irish gothic style. The Lynch Family’s Coat of Arms can still be seen today, as can other proprietors of the house Henry and the Fitzgerald’s of Kildare.
Situated between Shop Street and Abbeygate Street, this castle gives us a rare glimpse of old Galway....