The Emerald Isle is an ancient place rich with history and, unsurprisingly, castles. Here we list our favourite Irish castles—one for each county.
From being haunted and impressive to having a bloody history, Irish castles have it all in abundance. In fact, there are so many Irish castles that you can find at least one in every single county of Ireland.
Castles are one of the things Ireland is most famous for. So, in this article, we will list the best Irish castles in every county of Ireland.
1. Antrim – Dunluce Castle
This romantic seaside castle has a lot of character and is surrounded by stunning scenery.
Address: 87 Dunluce Rd, Bushmills BT57 8UY
2. Armagh – Gosford Castle
Gosford Castle is a 19th-century country house that is said to be Ulster’s largest building.
Address: 2b South Stable Yard, Mullabrack Road, Markethill BT60 2HP
3. Carlow – Huntington Castle
Huntington Castle has a history that dates back to the 1600s and offers tours of its outstanding house and gardens.
Address: Huntington, Co. Carlow, Ireland
4. Cavan – Cabra Castle
Cabra Castle is a castle that you can spend a night in as it is also a breathtaking 4-star hotel.
Address: Carrickmacross Rd, Mullantra, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, A82 EC64
5. Clare – Bunratty Castle
Bunratty Castle is famous for the amazing banquets that it offers to visitors from all over the world.
Address: Bunratty West, Bunratty, Co. Clare
6. Cork – Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle is renowned for being one of Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions thanks to the Blarney Stone.
Address: Monacnapa, Blarney, Co. Cork
7. Derry – Dungiven Castle
Dating back to the 17th century, Dungiven Castle is the historic seat of the Ogilby family.
Address: 145 Main St, Dungiven, Londonderry BT47 4LF
8. Donegal – Glenveagh Castle
It’s said that Glenveagh Castle had a curse put upon it that rendered any owner of the castle incapable of having children.
Address: Glenveagh National Park, Gartan Mountain, Church Hill, Co. Donegal
9. Down – Dundrum Castle
Dundrum Castle is one of the most impressive Norman castles in Northern Ireland.
Address: 2 Castle Hill, Dundrum, Newcastle
10. Dublin – Dublin Castle
Until 1922, Dublin Castle was commonly recognized as being the centre of British power in Ireland.
Address: Dame St, Dublin 2, Ireland
11. Fermanagh – Enniskillen Castle
Enniskillen Castle is an almost 600-year-old structure that stands dominantly over the banks of the River Erne.
Address: Enniskillen BT74 7HL
12. Galway – Dunguaire Castle
Dunguaire Castle is a place where many Irish literary figures such as George Bernard Shaw, W.B Yeats, and Lady Gregory would congregate.
Address: Dungory East, Kinvarra, Co. Galway
13. Kerry – Ross Castle
Ross Castle was built in the late 15th century and was the stronghold of the O’Donoghue Ross chieftains.
Address: Ross Rd, Ross Island, Killarney, Co. Kerry
14. Kildare – Maynooth Castle
Maynooth Castle is a 12th-century castle that now stands at the entrance to the South Campus of Maynooth University.
Address: Maynooth Castle, Main St, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
15. Kilkenny – Kilkenny Castle
Kilkenny Castle stands triumphantly above the River Nore and is one of Ireland’s most visited heritage sites.
Address: The Parade, Collegepark, Kilkenny, R95 YRK1
16. Laois – Ballaghmore Castle
Ballaghmore Castle is renowned for being the ideal place for a relaxing break in luxurious surroundings.
Address: Ballaghmore Castle Dublin Road, Borris in Ossory, Co. Laois
17. Leitrim – Parke’s Castle
Parke’s Castle, from the early 17th century, was once a plantation castle.
Address: Kilmore, Co. Leitrim, Ireland
18. Limerick – King John’s Castle
King John’s Castle was built in 1200 on the order of King John.
19. Longford – Rathcline Castle
Rathcline Castle is a medieval tower house which was enlarged in the early 17th century and forms a considerably large ruin.
Address: Unnamed Rd, Co. Longford
20. Louth – Bellingham Castle
Bellingham Castle is a romantic 17th-century castle rich with history, luxury and charm.
Address: Castlebellingham, Co. Louth
21. Mayo – Ashford Castle
Ashford Castle is a world-famous five-star luxury hotel.
Address: Ashford Castle Estate, Cong, Co. Mayo, F31 CA48
22. Meath – Trim Castle
Trim Castle may be recognizable to many movie buffs as being a location used in Mel Gibson’s Braveheart.
Address: Castle St, Trim, Co. Meath, C15 HN90
23. Monaghan – Castle Leslie Estate
Castle Leslie Estate is situated on over 1,000 acres of the beautiful Irish countryside and is one of the best places for horse riding in Ireland.
Address: Castle Leslie Estate, Glaslough, Co. Monaghan
24. Offaly – Leap Castle
Leap Castle is known for being the world’s most haunted castle.
Address: R421, Leap, Roscrea, Co. Offaly
25. Roscommon – Donamon Castle
Donamon Castle is one of Ireland’s oldest inhabited buildings.
Address: Castle,, Donamon, Toberkeagh, Co. Roscommon
26. Sligo – Classiebawn Castle
Classiebawn Castle is beautifully situated on the Mullaghmore peninsula near the village of Cliffoney.
Address: Mullaghmore, Knocknafaugher, Co. Sligo
27. Tipperary – Rock of Cashel
The Rock of Cashel was once the traditional seat of the King of Munster.
Address: Moor, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland
28. Tyrone – Castlederg Castle
Castlederg Castle location on the River Derg was once strategic. It was used as a fording point between the O’Neill and O’Donnell lordships in medieval times.
Address: Castlederg, Co. Tyrone
29. Waterford – Lismore Castle & Gardens
Lismore Castle has been the home of the Dukes of Devonshire since 1753 and is one of Ireland’s most stunning castles.
Address: Lismore Castle, Lismore, Co. Waterford
30. Westmeath – Athlone Castle
Athlone Castle is steeped in a dark history, as it was here that Cromwell’s notorious transplantation policy was enforced.
Address: Castle St, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
31. Wexford – Ferns Castle
Ferns Castle is one of a number of sites in the town of Ferns that are of historic importance.
Address: Ferns, Co. Wexford
32. Wicklow – Black Castle
Black Castle now stands in ruins as after constant attacks by local chieftains, it was completely destroyed in 1301.
Address: S Quay, Corporation Lands, Co. Wicklow
This concludes our list of 32 Irish castles—the best castle in every county of Ireland. How many have you been to?
