Sorted by: Castles in ruins
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ardo Castle / House Ruins, Co. Waterford
The history of the house begins in the 17th century. It passed through the FitzGeralds and Prendergasts eventually coming into the possession of the Coghlan family in 1718. The Coghlan family occupied it in the 18th and 19th century. By the end of the 19th century Ardo was passed to Marshal McMahon, first President of the Third French Republic. It was later sold but remained unoccupied and eventually the roof collapsed and so fell into ruin in 1920's.
Athcarne Castle Ruins, Co. Meath
Medieval tower with a large extension and turret added c. 1830, all now in ruin. Home of the Bathe family, various members of which became Lord Chief Justice, Attorney General and Chancellor of the Exchequer in the late middle ages. Castle was inhabited into the mid-20th century.
Athlumney Castle Ruins, Co. Meath
This is a 15th century tower-house with four storeys plus attic. The castle was built for comfort, not for defence purposes hence the large windows and doors. A number of fire places and an oven still exist today. The Maguire Family set the castle on fire rather than hand it over to the English Army lead by Cromwell in 1649.
Baldongan Castle and Church Ruins, Co. Dublin
What survives at Baldungan is the ruin of the old church and the church tower. Baldungan Castle built by the Knights Templar in the 13th century was a short distance to the northwest of the church.
Ballagharahin / Ballagh Castle Ruins, Co. Laois
Little is known about this ruined castle except that is belonged to the Fitzpatricks. It dates probably from 15th or 16th century.