UK & Irish Castles

by **Sheila** » Thu Jul 04, 2002 8:11 pm

Based in Northumbria near some of our magnificent castles has given me an interest in castles all over the UK and Ireland.

From your experiences, what are the must-sees?

by **GregF** » Fri Jul 05, 2002 10:57 am

Well there's Dublin Castle for starters, once the seat of British rule, it's full of history, it recently had a makeover and looks impressive too....and Drimnagh Castle in it's suburbs, which again was recently restored.....There's Bunratty Castle in Cork which caters for tourists , where everyone dresses up in Mediaeval Norman/Gaelic costumes and eats drinks and be merry and Ashford Castle too which has lovely grounds............

by **Andrew Duffy** » Fri Jul 05, 2002 11:08 am

Look at Swords and Malahide castles; both are near Dublin and Swords castle is quite complete. I think both are owned by the state now. Trim castle in Meath is the largest Norman castle in Ireland (although I believe the ruined Maynooth castle was bigger before its destruction).

I also recommed Drimnagh castle; it still has its flooded moat.

by **Sheila** » Fri Jul 05, 2002 1:18 pm

Over here, Bamburgh and Alnwick Castle are very impressive. Bamburgh Castle is probably the finest castle in England and rivals Caernarfon Castle in North Wales for drama.

by **nono** » Sun Jul 07, 2002 5:08 pm

Lismore castle co. Waterford is worth a look. I am unsure about interior access, but it's perch on a steep hill overlooking the river Blackwater is pretty amazing...

by **GregF** » Mon Jul 08, 2002 8:37 am

The castle known as the Rock of Cashel is a fine structure ...quite picturesque perched on it's rock.

by **LOB** » Mon Jul 08, 2002 9:45 am

If you are coming to Ireland
you should check out the many Tower houses
particularly west cork,if i remember correctly, has quite a few

by **LOB** » Mon Jul 08, 2002 9:50 am

bit nore info in general

http://www.irelandseye.com/aarticles/history/place/index.shtm

by **Michael J. O'Brien** » Mon Jul 08, 2002 11:43 am

Here is my list of recommended castles in Ireland.

Tourist Castles (Restored with tours)
1. Cahir Castle, Co. Tipperary
2. Bunratty Castle, Co. Clare
3. Carrickfergus Castle, Co. Antrim
4. Dublin Castle, Dublin
5. Ardgillan Castle, Co. Dublin
6. Slane Castle, Co. Meath
7. Tullynally Castle, Co. Westmeath
8. Trim Castle, Co Meath (More or less a ruin)
9. Ormond Castle, Co. Tipperary
10. Glenveagh Castle, Co. Donegal
11. Ross Castle, Co. Kerry
12. Charleville Castle, Co. Offaly

Historic Tourist Houses (Restored with tours)
1. Castletown House, Co. Kildare
2. Castlewellan House, Co. Down
3. Castle Coole, Co. Fermanagh
4. Florence Court, Co. Fermanagh
5. Russborough House, Co. Wicklow
6. Farmleigh House, Dublin
7. Lyons House, Co. Dublin
8. Newbridge House, Co. Dublin
9. Riverstown House, Co. Cork
10. Aras an Uachtarain, Dublin
11. Stokestown House, Co. Roscommon
12. Lissadell House, Co Sligo (although they have recently auctioned off the contents)
13. Emo Court, Co Laois
14. Bealiau, Co. Louth
15. Mount Steward, Co. Down
16. Avondale House, Co. Wicklow
17. Bantry House, Co. Cork
18. Kilruddery House, Co. Wicklow
19. Muckross House, Co. Kerry
20. Westport House, Co. Mayo
21. Powerscourt House, Co. Wicklow (Interior very dissappointing but architecture and especially garden well worth visiting)
22. Derrynane House, Co. Kerry
23. Carriglas Manor, Co. Longford

Spectatular Ruins (Visible but not all visitable)
1. Dromore Castle, Co. Limerick
2. Castlefreake, Co Cork
3. Coppingers Court, Co. Cork
4. Dunluce Castle, Co. Antrim
5. Blarney Castle, Co. Cork
6. Killeen Castle, Co. Meath
7. Doe Castle, Co. Donegal (Currently undergoing restoration)
8. Rock of Dumanse, Co. Laois

Castles are hotels/available to rent
1. Ashford Castle, Co. Mayo
2. Humewood Castle, Co. Wicklow
3. Lismore Castle. Co. Waterford
4. Dromoland Castle, Co. Clare
5. Adare Manor, Co. Limerick
6. Kilkea Castle, Co. Kildare
7. Castle Forbes, Co. Monaghan
8. Waterford Castle, Co. Waterford
9. Luttrelstown Castle, Co. Dublin

Houses/Castles - Not fully open to public
1. Carton House, Co. Kildare
2. Glenstal Abbey, Co. Limerick
3. Kylemore Abbey, Co. Galway
4. Lough Rynn, Co. Leitrim
5. Johnston Castle, Co. Wexford
6. Birr Castle, Co. Offaly
7. Woodland House, Co. Galway (currently for sale)
8. Curraghchase House, Co. Waterford
9. Castletown Cox, Co. Kilkenny

Other Archectitural significant buildings
1. Casino Marino, Dublin
2. Swiss Cottage, Co. Tipperary
3. Shell Cottage, Carton, Co. Kildare (Not open to public currently, being turned into a bar)
4. Connoly's folly, Co. Kildare
5. Stormant House, Co. Antrim
6. Wonderful Barn, Leixlip, Co. Kildare (Not open)

These lists are ranked based on my personal opinions. My advice before visiting any less known castle/house is to check wheither it is open or not in advance. Ruins and private houses are not suitbale for visiting.

by **RSJ** » Mon Jul 08, 2002 12:24 pm

If you are in Northumberland, Sheila, have you yet been able to get down to Durham? There you have the finest Norman castle/cathedral composition imaginable.

Durham Castle has been part of the university since 1834, but they do guided tours most days. You can even stay there out of term-time. Do not miss the ancient chapel in the basement, which predates the nearby cathedral and may be of Saxon origin.

by **Sheila** » Wed Jul 10, 2002 1:11 pm

I haven't been to Durham yet, as I'm visiting as many as I can around Scotland at the moment.

Looking forward to seeing Trim and Carrickfergus on a trip to visit friends in Louth soon.

UK & Irish Castles

UK & Irish Castles

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