Sorted by: Castles
Abbeyglen Castle Hotel, Co. Galway
It was built in 1832 for John d'Arcy founder of the town of Clifden in 1812. In 1969, the Joyce family sold the property to the Hughes family, who has improved the castle and gardens to their present state. This luxury 4-star manor house hotel is surrounded by trees and hills with spectacular views of the Twelve Bens Mountains as well as views of the sea.
Adare / Desmond Castle Ruins, Co. Limerick
It is believed to have been built by the O'Donovans, rulers of the region into the late 12th century. It was later the property of the Earls of Kildare branch of the FitzGerald dynasty until the rebellion in 1536. The Adare Heritage Centre offers guided tours of the castle.
Adare Manor House Hotel, Co. Limerick
The manor-house, dating from 1862, has been converted into the majestic 5-star hotel set in a beautiful 840-acre estate with Medieval ruins, an 18-hole championship golf course, luxurious Spa. 52 chimneys to commemorate each week of the year, 75 fireplaces and 365 leaded glass windows are decorating the house.
Annaghdown Castle Ruins, Co. Galway
This well preserved five storeys high tower house stands on the eastern shore of Lough Corrib to the south of the priory. Annaghdown Castle was most likely built by the O'Flaherty Clan in the late 14th century. The doorway in the southeast wall is protected by a good murder-hole. There is a fireplace at the first floor. A long passage in the north wall leads from the stairway between second and third floors. The castle has undergone renovation and is not now open to the public.
Nicholas Herbert Mandeville married an heiress, Elizabeth Roe, eldest daughter of John Roe of Rockwell. He inherited the property, then known as "Ballyna", in 1842. Soon after, he employed a Cork architect, Mr. Anderson, to design an extension to the old square castle. Only a small part of the old building (still visible) was incorporated in the new design, mainly in the southwest corner. The castle is available for most of the year for self-catering holidays and short breaks.
Archdale Castle Ruins, Caravan, Country, Forest Park and Nature Reserve, Co. Fermanagh
It was once an estate owned by the Archdale family, who arrived in 1614 during the Plantation of Ulster. The original castle was destroyed during the Irish Rebellion of 1641 and again in 1689. There are a lot of activities available on site including boat and cycle hire and seasonal pony trekking.
Ardamullivan Castle, Co. Galway
This five-storey tower house was built in the 16th century by the O'Shaughnessy family. Sir Roger O'Shaughnessy was succeeded by his brother Dermot, "the Swarthy", known as "the Queen's O'Shaughnessy" for his support of the Crown. In 1579, Dermot and his nephew John fought each other hand-to-hand in a dispute over the castle. The fight resulted in the death of both men. It stands on an elevated site and is partially surrounded by its original defensive wall. The castle has undergone recently extensive renovation and now it is a National Monument.
This castle, now in total ruins, stands on a cliff face overlooking Kenmare Bay at the mouth of the Clonee River. It was an impressive structure with six foot thick walls and was built by and named after Aodh Beanan, the ancestor of the O'Moriarty clan and the father of Mor Mumhan, maternal ancestor of the O'Sullivan clan.
Ardgillan Castle and Demesne, Co. Dublin
Built by Dean Robert Taylor in 1738, this fine 18th century country-manor house is surrounded by 80ha of woodlands and gardens. It overlooks the sea 30km north of Dublin city.
Ardintenant / White Castle Ruins, Co. Cork
was built c. 1310 by the O'Mahonys, on the site of an older fortification. This four storey tower house beside Roaringwater Bay was the seat of the chief of Iveagh, one of the eight septs of the O'Mahony clan. The O'Mahony family has held a Gathering at the castle several times since 1960, most recently in July of 2003. The ruin quite well preserved is now completely covered with ivy.