Castles worth the hassle
As the name suggests, Ireland’s Ancient East is absolutely peppered with amazing castles and forts.
With such a long list to choose from, we have put together a selection of some of the stand-out spots for your convenience. Starting in county Cork, Camden Fort Meagher near Crosshaven is internationally recognised as being one of the finest remaining examples of a classical coastal artillery fort in the world. For almost 400 years the fort played a key role as a strong strategic position for the defence of Ireland, the west coast of England and Wales.
65% of the fort is located underground in a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers. The fort is a prime location to watch ships passing through Cork Harbour, the second-largest natural harbour in the world. We can’t recommend visiting Camden Fort Meagher more. Also, the nearby town of Crosshaven is full of great restaurants and pubs for a bite to eat. For more info, visit corkcoco.ie/en/visitor/camden-fort-meagher.
Heading north, a list like this would not be complete without the jaw-droppingly majestic Rock of Cashel in Tipperary. Iconic in its historic significance, the Rock of Cashel possesses one of the most impressive clusters of medieval buildings in Ireland. These include a round tower, a high cross, a Romanesque chapel, a Gothic cathedral, an abbey, the Hall of the Vicars Choral, and a fifteenth-century tower house. It’s a must-see for anyone visiting the area.
Easily one of Ireland’s most impressive castles is Lismore Castle in county Waterford. Originally built in 1185 by King John, the castle was later owned by Sir Walter Raleigh and Richard Boyle, before passing to the Fourth Duke of Devonshire in 1753. Though it is privately owned, and public access is restricted, visitors can enjoy the castle’s grandeur from the extremely popular surrounding gardens set within the site’s four defensive walls. The gardens are said to be the oldest continually cultivated gardens in Ireland.
Moving over to county Wexford, Johnstone Castle with its fabulous museum and gardens is an unmissable treat. Visitors are invited to explore the turreted castle’s sumptuous interiors to understand what life was like for the characters who lived and worked there and connect with nature in the surrounding parkland and gardens. The castle’s Irish Agricultural Museum has a huge collection of original farming-related machinery, vehicles, and artefacts, some of which date back around 100 years. For more info, visit johnstowncastle.ie.
Another must for castle lovers is Kilkenny Castle in, you guessed it, county Kilkenny. Built in the twelfth century, Kilkenny Castle was the principal seat of the Butlers, earls, marquesses, and dukes of Ormond for almost 600 years. Under the powerful Butlers, Kilkenny grew into a thriving and vibrant city and its lively atmosphere can still be felt today. The castle, set in extensive parkland, was remodelled in Victorian times. It was formally taken over by the Irish State in 1969 and since then has undergone restoration works. It now welcomes thousands of visitors a year. More info can be found at heritageireland.ie.
Further north in county Meath stands Trim Castle, a striking symbol of Norman glory. The castle is the largest Anglo-Norman fortification in Ireland. The central fortification is a monumental three-storey keep and its massive 20-sided tower, which is cruciform in shape, was all but impregnable in its day. It was protected by a ditch, curtain wall, and water-filled moat. Modern walkways now allow visitors to look down over the interior of the keep – a chance to appreciate the sheer size and thickness of the mighty castle walls.
Of course, these are just a few suggestions we’ve put together. There is loads of info online and hundreds of fascinating castles to explore in Ireland’s Ancient East. Websites like castles.nl, discoverireland.ie, and heritageireland.ie are great places to start your journey. Happy castling!