Irish history from ringforts to castles

We finally achieved our Independence from England in 1916 for 26 of the counties while 6 in (northern Ireland) still remain part of Britain. The commercial foundations of Dublin were laid by the Vikings (Dublinia) followed by the Normans who built impressive strongholds such as Trim castle where the epic movie 'Braveheart' was filmed. Our claim to fame? some 2,000 bare-bottomed extras from the Curragh military camp in Kildare...

Other castles in Irish history range from larger fortified towers and keeps such as Bunratty Castle to smaller ones like Thoor Ballylee, former home of the poet and playwright Willaim Butler Yeats. Grand country houses like such as Tullynally Tullynally and Birr were castle-ated with fairy tale parapets and towers as was the fashion suring the reiqn of Queen Victoria. Many of these big houses and castles on vast estates were given to often absentee English landlords in return for military duty such as the beautiful Beaulieu in Drogheda. As a consequence many of these were ransacked and burned down during the 'troubles'. Others were saved and restored privately or are now under the auspices of the Irish Georgian society and so have survived to tell the tale... There are hundreds more castles all over the country, many in ruins that you can explore freely, just be careful !

Good Tip Try hiding some 'treasure' ie a few coins in the walls for children to find, it will keep them amused for hours !

The 10 Best Castles in Ireland are....

1 Bunratty Castle, County Limerick is open to the public.

2 Trim Castle, County Meath is open to the public.

3 Dublin Castle, Dublin is open to the public.

4 Tullynally Castle, County Westmeath (by appt only)

5 Beaulieu House, County Louth (summertime only)

6 Birr Castle, County Offaly (by appt only)

7 Dunguaire Castle, County Galway (medieval banquets)

8 Ardgillan Castle, Balbriggan, County Dublin (castle tours)

10 Malahide Castle, County Dublin (castle tours)

You can stay in quiet a few posh castles like well known Ashford or Dromoland Castles? Ballinahinch is much more atmospheric (it was once owned by a maharajah) the 5 star Solis Lough Eske in Donegal or the delightful family run since 1940 Ballinalacken Castle in County Clare. Or you can go to a medieval banquet, throughout the summer in Dunguaire, Knappogue or Bunratty Castles. You can even rent a whole castle to yourself if you like, for a small kings ransom ?

For more information on Irish History please click here.

To Book a medieval banquet in a castle please click here

To Stay in an Irish Castle Hotel please click here