Looking to visit old abandoned castles in Ireland? You’re in the right place.
There are thousands of castles in Ireland, and they vary in the state that they’re in. Some of the castles are on private property, some now castle H๏τels, and some are in ruins.
When it comes to abandoned castles in Ireland, we’re talking about castles that were left by their inhabitants and are no longer used. Some of these castles are now official tourist attractions that you need to buy tickets for, and others sit completely in remote areas where you need to exercise caution when visiting.
I visited both in Ireland – castles that were completely deserted, and others that we needed tickets for. There’s something so mysterious about a castle left to complete ruins. The fact that there are so many is one of my favourite things about Ireland.
Some of the abandoned castles in Ireland are easier to get to than others, and some are more ‘ruined’ than others. Some, you can see only from a distance (but are still worth seeing.)
So, let’s jump in – abandoned castles in Ireland, and what you need to know about seeing or visiting them.
2 Things to Remember About Abandoned Castles in Ireland
1. Be respectful
Some abandoned castles are located on private property, so you’ll need to either ask for permission (in some cases) or admire them from a distance. All of the castle ruins have a story behind them and a piece in the history of Ireland. So, if you explore any of the ruins, leave it the same as you found it.
2. Be cautious
Not only are these buildings old, but some of them are literally falling apart. In addition, many of them are built on cliffs along the coastline. Exercise caution, and wear good hiking boots – especially when its wet or windy.
15 Abandoned Castles in Ireland
Here are 15 of the best ruined castles in Ireland to get glimpses at (from varying distances)
1. Dunluce Castle
Location: Northern Ireland
Dunluce Castle is a beautiful ruined 16th century castle sitting on the edge of a cliff in the northern part of Northern Ireland (about an hour north of Belfast.)
Game of Thrones fans will know it as the House of Greyjoy, and its also believed to be the inspiration for Cair Paravel in C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia.
The family who inhabited Dunlace was defeated in the 1690 Battle of the Boyne, which lead to Dunlace Casle eventually turning to ruins.
Although Dunlace Caslte is in ruins, it is now an official tourist attraction with facilities and payment. You can visit anytime between 9:30am until 4pm from December – February, and 9:30am until 5pm from March – November.
You can spend anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours walking around the ruins, exploring the castle.
Book a day trip to see Dunlace Castle and other sights along the Giant’s Causeway from Belfast
If you decide to visit Dunlace Castle on your own, there is a free Dunluce Castle app is available for visitors to download via iPhone and Android devices to help plan your visit.
Good to Know: There is onsite car parking and toilet facilities called Magheracross Viewing Point. Ticket prices to visit Dunluce Caslte starts at £4 for children and £6 for adults. Family and senior discounts are available. Children under 5 enter for free.
2. Rock of Cashel
Location: central Ireland
Of all the abandoned castles in Ireland, the Rock of Cashel is the most famous and most visited. Its one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ireland (even the Queen visited in 2011!) It has also been featured in numerous films and TV shows.
Rock of Cashel dates back to the 12th century, and is located near the town of Cashel, which is about an hour from Limerick.
It is rumoured that the Rock was where St Patrick himself converted King Aenghus to Christianity.
Rock of Cashel is in decent shape for its age, and there is a lot to look at on the castle grounds if you visit.
Rock of Cashel is open daily from 9am until 5pm, and most people spend between an hour and 90 minutes walking around the castle.
Tickets can be booked online in advance on the Rock of Cashel website or paid for on arrival. You can choose between a guided or self-guided tour.
Good to Know: Adult tickets to the Rock of Cashel cost €8, with cheaper tickets available for students, seniors, children and families. Children under 12 visit for free. There is a pay and display car park a few minutes’ walk from the Rock of Cashel.
3. McDermott’s Castle
Location: central Ireland
McDermott’s Castle is located on on Castle Island which is inside Leogh Key Forest & Activity Park, a very popular as a place to visit for families in Ireland.
The McDermott family was forced out of the castle in the 1580s by invaders, and the whole island was uninhabited for hundreds of years after that. The castle still sits there in ruins, and can be enjoyed from views from the mainland area of the park.
If you want to get a closer look at McDermott’s Castle, its also possible to go boating in Lough Key. We didn’t get in a boat, but it would be one way to get a closer look.
As far as I know, you cannot at this time go onto Castle Island and explore the McDermott’s Castle on foot, but its perfectly visible from many different angles from the land or on boat. We simply enjoyed taking pH๏τos and enjoying views of it from the docks of the lake its on.
4. Menlo Castle
Location: west Ireland
Menlo Castle is one of the most picturesque abandoned castles in Ireland, and is only a 10 minute drive outside of Galway city.
Covered in ivy and located on in a small village of Menlough on the River Corrib, Menlo castle is also sometimes called Blake’s Castle (after the family that once lived in it.)
There is a sad tragedy behind Menlo Castle, as there likely are with many castles that are abandoned. In 1910, a fire broke out in the castle while the owner at the time Sir Blake was away, and it lead to the death of his special needs daughter and two maids who were working in the castle at the time. The Blakes left the castle after that, and it eventually fell into ruin.
Access to Menlo Castle is currently restricted due to renovation work, but even just seeing it from the outside from across the river makes it worth check out out.
Menlo Castle is so close to Galway that you could probably walk to it in about 40 minutes from the city centre, however, the roads are mostly single-track roads. For this reason, it might safer to drive or get a taxi.
You can get great views of Menlo Castle from the opposite side of the river on the River Corrib Greenway Path, which is a 4.8 km (3 miles) out-and back trail. Read details about the trail and conditions here.
5. Dunaneeny Castle
Location: Northern Ireland
There isn’t much left of Dunaneeny Castle, but the crumbling ruins that remain are in such a beautiful spot on Ballycastle Bay, that its still worth visiting.
You can find the ruins of Dunaneeny right behind the Causeway Coast Holiday Park, which is right outside the town of Ballycastle (about an hour north of Belfast.)
All that remains of the castle today is the gatehouse and a few sections of wall. But the view of Ballycastle Bay from the ruins area is gorgeous.
The history of Dunaneeny Castle goes even further back than we know. Archaeological evidence recovered from the area suggests that a fortress of some kind has been located in its spot as far back as the late prehistoric period.
If you want to visit Dunaneeny Castle ruins, then I recommend parking in the town of Ballycastle. From there, its just a short walk to the castle ruins.
Good to Know: There are currently no fees to visit Dunaneeny Castle, but there are also no facilities. Be careful when visiting as the cliff edges are incredibly dangerous. Ensure you keep a safe distance from the edge at all times and keep a close eye on children if visiting as a family.
6. Kinbane Castle
Location: Northern Ireland
Kinbane Castle in Northern Ireland was built in 1547, and fell into ruins around the in the 18th century.
Located just 4.8 km (3 miles) along the coast from Dunaneeny Castle, Kinbane Castle is equally as ruined as its neighbour, with just a few stone sections remaining.
From the ruins of Kinbane Castle, you can see Rathlin Island, which is an important seabird colony, as well as the Iron Age fort of Dunagregor nearby.
If you want to see a few abandoned Irish castles in a short amount of time, you could easily combine a visit to Kinbane with a visit to Dunaneeny. Similarly to Dunaneeny, it is important to exercise caution along the cliff’s edge, especially if its windy or wet.
Good to Know: There is no cost to visit Kinbane Castle. There is a free parking on-site, and and public toilets just a short walk from the castle.
7. Clifden Castle
Location: west Ireland
Clifden Castle another Country Galway ruined castle, located 90 minutes from Galway city, near the Atlantic Ocean coastline.
Its a lot younger than other abandoned castles in Ireland, having only been built in 1818. However, it has beautiful Gothic Revival style architecture, and looks like its straight out of a movie.
The D’Arcy family who owned Clifden Castle went bankrupt just a few years after it was built, and they sold it. However, by the late 1800s, it was abandoned by its second owners and it fell to ruin.
Visitors can reach Clifden Castle by travelling for approximately 2.5 kms along Sky Road west out of Clifden, pᴀssing the Abbeyglen Castle H๏τel.
There are no fees to visit Clifden castle.There is a small car park outside of the Clifden Castle Gate. From there, you can take a short walk along a winding trail that takes you to the outside of the castle.
Good to Know: The car park is very small, there’s only room for about three or four cars at a time. Also,Sky Road is a very narrow road – walking and cycling are not recommended for safety reasons.
8. Ballycarbery Castle
Location: southwest Ireland
Like other old abandoned castles in Ireland, the 16th century Ballycarbery Castle is located near the coastline, facing the Atlantic Ocean.
Its one of the few abandoned castles on the Ring of Kerry, one of the most breathtaking areas in Ireland. It’s located on private land, just 3 km (1.8 miles) from the village of Cahersiveen.
Since Ballycarbery Castle is on private land, you aren’t able to get close to it anymore. Up until 2017, visitors were still able to – however it is now inaccessible to the public.
However, like many other ruined castles in Ireland, I believe Ballycarbery is still worth it to admire Ballycarbery Castle from afar and take pH๏τos. There is a nearby lot where some information on the castle is given.
Some private Ring of Kerry day tours do make pH๏τo stops.
Book your Ring of Kerry day tour (which includes sights of Ballycarbery Castle) here
9. Rock of Dunamase
Location: central Ireland
Dunamase Castle is one of the oldest castle structure in Ireland, dating back to the Norman period.
Unlike many other old castles in Ireland that were built along the coastline, Dunamase Castle is actually inland, towards the centre of Ireland (about an hour north of Kilkenny.)
Rock of Dunamase is an off-the beaten track abandoned castle in Ireland, because it isn’t has famous as some of the others. It’s been deteriorating for the past 300 years, so you need to be careful when walking among the rubble.
Rock of Dunmase is free of charge, and pretty simple to get to.
10. Renville Castle
Location: west Ireland
Renville Castle is located in Rinville Park (note the difference in spelling) which is 30-minute drive from Galway city.
Renville Castle dates back to the 16th century, and was built by a family of Norman descent (the Burke family) who were once one of the most powerful families in Ireland.
All that remains of the original building is a four-storey tower house. It was used as a residence during the 1900s, until it was abandoned halfway through the century. Galway County Council bought it in 1979, and restored the ruins.
There is free parking at Rinville Park. From there, you can take a short walk through the fields and woodland of the park to see the castle. No tickets are required.
Good to Know: Rinville Park is a great place to visit, especially if you’re in Ireland with kids. There are walking trails, picnic spots, playgrounds and is even a haven for wildlife.
11. Fiddaun Castle
Location: west Ireland
Fiddaun Castle dates back to 1574, and is located near the village of Tubber, which is less than an hour from Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher.
Fiddaun Castle was built by a powerful knight, and its six-storey tower house is still very much still in tact.
It’s important to know that Fiddaun Castle is located on private land. Therefore, you have two options when it comes to visiting it:
- see the exterior from the gate
- ask permission from the landowner for a key to open the gate, to be able to explore the ruins
Tubber is a small village, and the owners are well-known locally. Its possible that they may allow you to visit; there have been many visitors that have had success.
You can ask around in the village for their whereabouts, or knock on the door at the Fiddaun House which is just outside Tubber. If you are lucky to bump into the landowners, then they may provide you with the key!
12. Ballinskellig Castle
Location: southwest Ireland
Located on a small peninsula overlooking Ballinskelligs Bay in County Kerry, the small tower house castle here was constructed by the MacCarthy Mors in the 16th century.
There is little left to see of the castle, but the ruins are unfenced and can be explored by visitors. You can also enjoy good views of Ballinskelligs Beach and the bay.
Ballinskelligs Castle is just a short walk from the car park at Ballinskelligs Beach and there are a number of small cafes and restaurants in the village of the same name for visitors to make use of.
At high tide, the water comes right up to the castle and the peninsula can become cut off from the mainland. You’ll need to be prepared to wade through water to reach the castle at times (or just view it from a distance.)
If visiting the castle with young children, keep a close eye on them and ensure the stay away from the edge. When exploring the interior of the castle itself, be careful as the stone steps can get slippery, especially if it has been raining.
As with many of Ireland’s abandoned castle, there is some risk with trying to get close to Ballinskellig. The peninsula is also subject to heavy erosion, so be careful of falling rocks.
13. Ashtown Castle
Location: east Ireland
Ashtown Castles is probably the most accessible abandoned castles in Ireland, being located just in the outskirts of Dublin.
Ashtown Castle is a 17th century castle was rediscovered in the 1980s, after a mansion containing it was demolished.
Ashtown Castle is located in Phoenix Park outside Dublin, which makes it a fun castle to visit if you’re in Dublin with kids because its just a short walk from the Dublin Zoo. There are toilet facilities on-site, activities for the entire family, including woodland walks, picnic areas, and a children’s playground.
Admission to Ashtown Castle is free of charge, and it is open to visitors throughout the year from 9:30am until 6:00pm.
Note that the garden is currently undergoing renovation work and has limited opening hours – visit Ashtown Castle in the middle of the day if you would also like to take in the walled garden as part of your visit.
14. Carrigogunnel Castle
Location: west Ireland
Carrigogunnel Castle dates back to the 1200s, and is about a 15 minute drive west of Limerick city.
Carrigogunnel is an ‘off the beaten path’ castle in Ireland; it isn’t promoted as a tourist attraction and there are no signs labeling where it is. If you go at certain times (such as early morning) you may have it all to yourself.
It can be a bit tricky to locate, even with Google maps – so just bring your patience and budget for some extra time looking around for it.
There is a road on the south side of the castle where you can park. The parking area is in 6-foot tall grᴀss, and you will need to make your way through a tall-grᴀss area in order to find it.
Good to Know: Be sure to wear long pants to trek through the grᴀss, because there are stinging nettles (a plant found in wooded areas) that can sting you.
15. Rahally Castle
Location: west Ireland
Rahally Castle is another one of the abandoned castles outside Galway city. It was built in the 1400s and is decently in tact. It was owned by the Burke clan, which were one of the most powerful families in Ireland.
Rahally Castle is on private land. The owners purchased the land that Rahally is located on in 2016, and have done their best to care for it with respect to its history. They occasionally host events and yoga retreats.
You can send an email to the landowners to ask for permission to visit Rahally. For more information and the owner’s contact info, visit the Rahally Castle website.
16. Rockstown Castle
Location: west Ireland
Rockstown Castle is another medieval structure near Limerick, about a 30 minute drive south of the city centre. The castle dates back to the 1400s.
Not much is left of it other than the tower, which is a few stories high – some people climb the staircase (which is still in tact) but this can pose some risk because of how old the building is.
Rockstown Castle is about 10 minute walk from the road, but you can also see it from the road without having to approach it.
It is surrounded by tall grᴀss, and there are views of sprawling Irish farmland in the distance.
19. Dough Castle
Location: west Ireland
Dough Castle is located just 11 km (6.8 miles) from the town of Doolin, near the Cliffs of Moher.
Dough Castle’s history dates back to the 1300s. Only a wall of it is still standing, in the middle of an open field on Lahinch Golf Course.
Since it is only a wall, you don’t need too much time to check it out up close or from afar. You can read more about its history here.
18. (BONUS) Dunsandle Castle
Location: west Ireland
Dunsandle Castle is about a 1 hour drive east of Galway city. It is believed to have been commissioned in the 15th century by a wealthy landowner, but it soon came to be owned by the Burke family followed by the Daly clan.
It was inhabited in the 1600s, but fell into ruin sometime around the late 1700s.
The interior of Dunsandle Castle is now closed to visitors with no re-opening date confirmed. However, you can still visit the outside of the castle to take pH๏τos.
Be aware though – a trek to Dunsdale Castle is only suitable to the adventurous. The ruins are hard to find in the wooded area, and its easy to get lost amongst the trees.
There is no official parking since the castle is closed, so ensure you park somewhere nearby safely and legally in a suitable spot. The GPS coordinates are:
53.245393, -8.645503
