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    Photo Blog: Stunning Castles of Ireland

    7 min read

    Who doesn’t love a good castle? Feast your eyes on photos of the castles of Ireland below!

    By Dawn Rainbolt, Marketing Executive
    More by Dawn

    One of the most stunning aspects of the Emerald Isle is the sheer diversity of the castles of Ireland.

    Irish castles are often underrated, and overlooked in favour of fairytale-esque German or French castles – and the few you’ve heard of, like Blarney Castle, are crowded.

    To inspire you, take a look at some of the amazing yet lesser-known castles of Ireland.

    On this list, you’ll explore castles like :

    Parkes Castle, Lough Gill, Co Leitrim

    Parkes Castle - castles of Ireland

    This fortified manor house sits on the shores of Lough Gill.

    Longtime home to the O’Rourkes, Parkes Castle is a fortified manor house on the idyllic shores of Lough Gill. Deep within Yeats Country, the panoramic Lough Gill has been immortalised by the Irish poet WB Yeats in poems such as “The Lake Isle of Inishfree.”

    Rosslee Castle, Easkey, Co Sligo

    Easkey Castle Sligo - castles of Ireland

    Admire the golden dappled hills surrounding Easkey Castle.

    Located on Easkey Beach, this Irish tower house can trace its foundations back to 1207, and stayed in the O’Donnell family for nearly 500 years. Today, the surrounding Easkey Beach is renowned for its great surfing waves.

     

    Bunratty Castle, Co Clare

    Bunratty Castle - castles of Ireland

    Towering, thick walls, Bunratty Castle is a sight o behold!

    A huge and impressive fortification, Bunratty Castle is also home to a folk park dedicated to Irish life in the 18th and 19th centuries. Though the site is much older, the first stone castle dates back to the late 1200s built by a descendant of the famed Norman warrior Strongbow (though the present structure is from the 15th century).

    Birr Castle, Co Offaly

    Birr Castle - castles of Ireland

    Birr Castle surrounded by spring flowers.

    Located in the middle of the country in Ireland’s Ancient East, Birr Castle, built in Victorian neo-gothic style, was once home to the world’s biggest telescope during the 1800s!

    Rock of Cashel, Co Tipperary

    Rock of Cashel - castles of Ireland

    Rock of Cashel from the bottom of the so-called Devil’s Rock.

    Not exactly a castle, the Rock of Cashel is actually a collection of religious buildings, but started out as the pre-Norman seat of the Kings of Munster. Legend has it that the rock on which the fortified structures were built originated from Devil’s Bit mountain – landing where it is today through the force of St Patrick banishing Satan from the mountain.

    Dunluce Castle, Causeway Coast, Co Antrim

    Dunluce Castle, Antrim, Northern Ireland

    The crumbling Dunluce Castle clings to the clifftop on the Causeway Coast.

    Dunluce Castle is a dramatic medieval clifftop fortress along the beautiful long-distance route, the Causeway Coast, a stone’s throw from the Giant’s Causeway. One of the most impressive castles of Ireland, this 13th century castle might remind you a bit of Scotland’s castles as it was long held by Ulster Scots clans. It’s also said that the castle inspired writer CS Lewis’ imaginary castles and worlds in Narnia.

    Ross Castle, Killarney National Park, Co Kerry

    Ross Castle Killarney - castles of Ireland

    The iconic Ross Castle on the shores on Lough Leane.

    On the stunning shores of the lakes of Killarney, this spectacular castle – a walled and fortified tower house – dates back to the 15th century and was owned by the O’Donoghue Ross chieftains. The best way to visit is by hiking through the wild landscapes of Killarney National Park to Ross Castle, or via boat on the lovely Lake Leane.

    Glenveagh Castle, Glenveagh National Park, Co Donegal

    Glenveagh Castle - National Park - castles of Ireland

    Panoramic of the stunning Lough Veagh and Glenveagh Castle.

    Hugging the shores of Lough Veagh in the remote and devastatingly beautiful Glenveagh National Park, Glenveagh Castle was built during the Victorian times as a hunting lodge. Today the centrepiece of the park, the dramatic lakeside castle setting is perfect for exploring the backcountry of Donegal, voted the coolest place on Earth!

     

    Aughnanure Castle, Connemara, Co Galway

    Augnanure Castle - Connemara - castles of ireland

    Twilight falls over Augnhanure Castle in the wilds of Connemara.

    Hidden in the woods surrounding the picturesque shores of Lough Corrib in Connemara, Aughnanure Castle is a 16th century O’Flaherty tower house with ties to the Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley through her marriage to one of the O’Flahertys. A formidable pirate from western Ireland, Grace O’Malley ruled the waters of Clew Bay and Galway Bay for more than three decades in the 16th century.

     

    Inspired to discover a few Irish castles? Check out exciting Irish adventures to the castles of Ireland!

    TripDatePriceAvailabilityBook
    Hiking - The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal23rd Mar - 29th Mar 2024€2,4308 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal13th Apr - 19th Apr 2024€2,4308 place(s) leftBook Now
    Bike Tour - Donegal From Cliffs to Coast20th Apr - 26th Apr 2024€3,1409 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal27th Apr - 3rd May 2024€2,4301 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal22nd Jun - 28th Jun 2024€2,4301 place(s) leftBook Now
    Bike Tour - Donegal From Cliffs to Coast6th Jul - 12th Jul 2024€3,14010 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal6th Jul - 12th Jul 2024€2,4308 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal20th Jul - 26th Jul 2024€2,4308 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal3rd Aug - 9th Aug 2024€2,4308 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal24th Aug - 30th Aug 2024€2,4304 place(s) leftBook Now
    Bike Tour - Donegal From Cliffs to Coast24th Aug - 30th Aug 2024€3,14010 place(s) leftBook Now
    Hiking - The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal14th Sep - 20th Sep 2024€2,4303 place(s) leftBook Now

    Meet the Author: Dawn Rainbolt

    “American by birth but European in spirit, Dawn has called the US, Costa Rica, Spain, England, Poland, France and now Ireland home over the years. While she has travelled to more than 30 countries, she has fallen in love with the rich Irish culture and sweeping landscapes of Ireland. Armed with a Masters Degree in Tourism Marketing and a love of writing and photography, she is Wilderness Ireland's Marketing Executive since 2017.”

    View profileMore by Dawn

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