There is no shortage of dreamy castles in Ireland, but most medieval towers and stone ruins dot the verdant landscape. Fortunately, staying in the city doesn’t mean giving up on your real dreams. In fact, you can see some of the best castles in the country without having to leave the capital.
Ready to explore Irish fortresses? Here’s where to find the best castles near Dublin:
Howth castle
Located just outside the coastal town of the same name, Howth Castle makes for a delightful day trip from Dublin. Howth’s first castle dates from 1177 when Almeric, the first lord of Howth, conquered the peninsula. The castle acquired its current stone look in the 1700s, and much of the furniture and art within its historic rooms date back to this time period. Legend has it that Grace O’Malley, the famous pirate queen of Ireland, once kidnapped the owner of the house when she discovered that the doors to the great house were locked. To this day, they always prepare an extra dish at dinner to honor the fearsome guest who was once turned away. It is possible to visit the castle on Sundays from April to October. Take the DART towards Howth and turn right out of the station. After about 200 meters, you will see signs for the castle.
Trim Castle
The stone ruins of Trim Castle were immortalized in the movie “Braveheart,” but the castle’s real-life history is as interesting as its cinematic claim to fame. Located in Co Meath, Trim Castle was once the largest fortified house in Ireland. Construction began in 1176 and was carried out by Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter. King Henry II granted them permission to the land, who wanted to prevent the legendary figure of Strongbow from gaining too much power in the area. Trim Castle took over thirty years to build and featured a 20-sided tower. The castle itself is open for tours on Saturdays and Sundays, but a tour of the grounds is possible any day of the week. Take a bus from Dublin Central Station (Busáras) and travel for about an hour through the countryside. Leave when you get to the town of Trim.
Castillo Drimnagh
Drimnagh Castle is one of the few medieval castles still standing in Dublin. The structure dates back to the 12th century and was originally built by the Barnewell family, who came to Ireland with Strongbow. The Norman Castle can be found in the suburb of Drimnagh, and it is worth the trip to the south side to see the pretty stone castle, which is Ireland’s only moated castle. As well as being surrounded by a flooded moat, the castle also features a formal garden and a tree-lined alley. If the setting looks familiar, it could be because The Tudors was filmed at Drimnagh. The castle offers guided tours every hour from 9 am to 3 pm Monday through Thursday, and from 9 am to 11 am on Friday.
Ardgillan Castle
The sprawling country house known as Ardgillan Castle sits within a large public park in Fingal, north of Dublin. The house once belonged to the Reverend Robert Taylor, who built the estate in 1738. The stone mansion built with Castilian settlements overlooks the Irish Sea and the town of Balbriggan. It is possible to walk through the woods and walled gardens near the castle, which are part of the 200-acre Ardgillan Demesne Park that surrounds the building. Explore the interior of the two-story castle by joining a guided tour at 11 am, 1 pm, or 3 pm every day of the week.
Malahide Castle
The majestic Malahide Castle on the outskirts of Dublin is one of the finest castles in Ireland thanks to its beautiful stone architecture and extensive botanical gardens. The stone fortified building was home to the same family for over 800 years, but now you can book a guided tour to explore the interior of the fully restored medieval castle. In nice weather, skip the tour and just stroll through the gardens to enjoy the views, flowers, and fresh air. The castle is easy to reach from Dublin via DART.
Castle of swords
The town of Swords, just north of Dublin, is home to an impressive medieval castle a short distance from the heart of the capital. The fortified castle was built in or around 1200 as the home of the first Anglo-Norman Archbishop of Dublin. In addition to the rooms for the Archbishop, the castle also contained apartments for knights and a banquet hall for entertaining. The castle was restored by the Fingal County Council and is now a tourist attraction. The easiest way to get to the city outside of Dublin is to take the Swords Express bus from the city center, which stops in front of the Jury’s Inn at Custom House Quay.
Castillo Rathfarnham
Many of the best castles near Dublin have a stony gray appearance because they date back to medieval times. Grand Rathfarnham Castle is different because it dates back to Elizabethan times. The building is the earliest example of a fortified house in Ireland and was built around the time of the Norman invasion. The castle soon passed to a clergyman named Adam Loftus, who soon rose in church to become the Archbishop of Dublin. Loftus is responsible for creating the castle as it is today, sometime around 1583. The castle passed between the English nobles, but largely remained in the hands of the Loftus family, who gave it a luxurious makeover in the century XVIII. The building was finally bought by the Jesuits in the early 20th century to be used as a seminary. Rathfarnham Castle is now owned by the state and is open for daily guided tours every day of the week. To test the grounds before your visit, you can also take an online tour.
Castillo Clontarf
Located between the city of Dublin and Dublin Airport, Clontarf Castle began life as a strategically located medieval castle. Today, the 12th century castle has been converted into a four-star hotel, but it has also served as a bar and cabaret in the not too distant past. The area is best known for the Battle of Clontarf, a fierce fighting that took place on April 23, 1014 between Viking and Leister forces. After the battle, the first castle appeared on the site in 1172, but the current building was designed in the 19th century. It has been completely modernized since it was converted into a hotel, but it is a romantic stop for lunch or an overnight stay near the Irish capital.