Places/Travel|Places

The Most Beautiful Castles in Ireland

Ranker Travel
Updated July 3, 2024 34.0K views 40 items
Ranked By
2.3K votes
318 voters
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Castles in the great, green country of Ireland

List of the most beautiful castles in Ireland, as ranked by castle lovers from all over the world. Ireland has a history so long, filled with war, adventure, and royalty, that wherever you go in Ireland, from Dublin to Limerick, there are historical relics to be explored and enjoyed. The most prominent historical artifacts in Ireland are their many looming castles. Ireland has so many castles, which were built over the course of 10 centuries, that they are some of the biggest tourist attractions in the country. While there are many castles in Ireland, most of them are ruins, making it all the more exciting to visit one of the resorted or well-kept castles throughout the country.

Many of Ireland’s castles are currently used as hotels, where residents can learn the history of each building and explore the traditional art and furnishings. Many other Irish castles are either used as museums or are open for public tours. Some of the castles are still used as private residences, either because they were passed down through generations or purchased by a wealthy citizen.

What are the most beautiful castles in Ireland? This list features the most stunning and well-kept castles in all of Ireland. Get in touch with your inner royalty and vote up the castle you think is the most beautiful.

  • 1

    Lismore Castle

    Lismore Castle
    Lismore Castle is one of Ireland's major tourist attractions with a stunning garden that's open to the public.
    78 votes
    Agree or disagree?
  • 2

    Rock of Cashel

    Rock of Cashel
    Rock of Cashel was home to the Kings of Munster for many generations.
    80 votes
    Agree or disagree?
  • 3

    Kilkenny Castle

    Kilkenny Castle
    Kilkenny Castle is one of the most visited castles in not only Ireland, but the world.
    72 votes
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  • 4

    Ashford Castle

    Ashford Castle
    Ashford Castle is now used as a hotel, where guests are free to wander around the fairly large grounds.
    64 votes
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  • 5

    Donegal Castle

    Donegal Castle
    Donegal Castle may not be kept in the best shape, but that doesn't take away from the beauty of the structure and the area around it.
    47 votes
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  • 6

    Dromoland Castle

    Dromoland Castle
    Dromoland Castle was built in the 16th century and belonged to the royal O'Brien family.
    55 votes
    Agree or disagree?
  • 7

    Cahir Castle

    Cahir Castle
    Cahir Castle is one of the largest castles in Ireland, set with a moat and other traditional feudal castle features.
    49 votes
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  • 8

    Kinnitty Castle

    Kinnitty Castle
    Kinnitty Castle is known for its proximity to the Slieve Bloom Mountains and many Ireland's top cities.
    51 votes
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  • 9

    Blackrock Castle

    Blackrock Castle
    Blackrock Castle was built in the 16th century but is currently used as a kid-friendly astronomy center. 
    43 votes
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  • 10

    Adare Manor

    Adare Manor
    • Photo:
    The Earl of Dunraven used to call Adare Manor is home.
    41 votes
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  • 11

    Johnstown Castle

    Johnstown Castle
    Johnstown Castle is most famous for its breathtaking gardens, where peacocks can often be found wandering around.
    44 votes
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  • 12

    Glin Castle

    Glin Castle
    • Photo:
    Glin Castle is now a hotel with a large collection of traditional Irish paintings and furniture. 
    34 votes
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  • 13

    Ballyseede Castle

    Ballyseede Castle
    • Photo:
    Ballyseede Castle is a hotel with an appreciation for history.
    39 votes
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  • 14

    Blarney Castle

    Blarney Castle
    Blarney Castle is famous for the Blarney Stone, which visitors kiss for good luck.
    62 votes
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  • 15

    Malahide Castle

    Malahide Castle
    Malahide Castle was first owned by one of Henry II's knights, Richard Talbot in 1185.
    37 votes
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  • 16

    Glenveagh Castle

    Glenveagh Castle
    Glenveagh Castle was built by Captain John George Adair in the 1800s.
    33 votes
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  • 17

    Markree Castle

    Markree Castle
    Markee Castle used to be the residence of the Cooper family for over 3 centuries, but is now open to the public.
    31 votes
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  • 18

    Howth Castle

    Howth Castle
    Howth Castle has belonged to the Earl of Howth and his family for many centuries.
    26 votes
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  • 19

    Classiebawn Castle

    Classiebawn Castle
    Cassiebawn Castle is currently used as a private residence, but the sight of it from afar is worth the trip.
    43 votes
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  • 20

    Bunratty Castle

    Bunratty Castle
    Bunratty Castle is a medieval structure that is very tourist friendly, with a nearby traditional Irish village and medieval banquets.
    43 votes
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  • 21

    Dunguaire Castle

    Dunguaire Castle
    When Dunguaire Castle was built in the 1500s, it was ruled by the O'Hynes family.
    46 votes
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  • 22

    King John's Castle

    King John's Castle
    King John's Castle has an impressive collection of medieval weapons on the walls, which is open for the public to explore.
    41 votes
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  • 23

    Trim Castle

    Trim Castle
    Trim Castle is one of the rare Anglo Norman castles still standing.
    35 votes
    Agree or disagree?
  • 24

    Ardgillan Castle

    Ardgillan Castle
    Ardgillan Castle is popular with true believers of the supernatural, as it is supposedly haunted by the Ghost of the Lady's Stairs.
    19 votes
    Agree or disagree?
  • 25

    Dublin Castle

    Dublin Castle
    Dublin Castle was under British control for over 7 centuries and now houses the world-renowned Chester Beatty Library. 
    47 votes
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  • 26

    Castleknock Castle

    Castleknock Castle
    Castleknock Castle was a Norman structure that is now on the Castleknock College campus. 
    24 votes
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  • 27

    Huntington Castle, Clonegal

    Huntington Castle, Clonegal
    • Photo:
    Huntington Castle is now a private residence, but the owners allow for tours in the summer.
    28 votes
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  • 28

    Ross Castle

    Ross Castle
    Ross Castle sits among some of the most beautiful landscape in Ireland, with a peaceful lake and purple mountains nearby.
    33 votes
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  • 29

    Knappogue Castle

    Knappogue Castle
    Knappogue Castle was built in 1467 and was recently restored. 
    28 votes
    Agree or disagree?
  • 30

    Kilkea Castle

    Kilkea Castle
    • Photo:
    Kilkea Castle was once the medieval stronhold for the earls of Kildare, the Fitzgeralds. 
    22 votes
    Agree or disagree?
  • 31

    Parke's Castle

    Parke's Castle
    Parke's Castle was built in 1610 and recently resorted with the original techniques and materials.
    32 votes
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  • 32

    Shankill Castle

    Shankill Castle
    19 votes
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  • 33

    Castle Durrow

    Castle Durrow
    • Photo:
    Castle Durrow was built in the early 1700s by Colonel William Flower for his family.
    30 votes
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  • 34

    Ballynahinch Castle

    Ballynahinch Castle
    Nearby the Irish landmark the Ballynahinch Salmon River, Ballynahinch Castle now serves as a hotel.
    25 votes
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  • 35

    Barretstown Castle

    Barretstown Castle
    Barretstown Castle was once owned by the Archbishop of Dublin but it was confiscated in 1547.
    21 votes
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  • 36

    Oliver Castle

    Oliver Castle
    Castle Oliver was owned by Captain Robert Oliver, one of Oliver Cromwell's top soldiers in 1658.
    39 votes
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  • 37

    Portumna Castle

    Portumna Castle
    Portumna Castle is currently used as a museum for Flight of the Wild Geese, a pivotal moment in Irish history.
    18 votes
    Agree or disagree?
  • 38

    Barberstown Castle

    Barberstown Castle
    • Photo:
    Eric Clapton owned Barberstown Castle for almost a decade before it was turned into a hotel.
    19 votes
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  • 39

    Minard Castle

    Minard Castle
    • Photo:
    Minard Castle is one of the newest Irish castle, built in the 19th century. 
    19 votes
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  • 40

    Rathfarnham Castle

    Rathfarnham Castle
    During the Irish Confederate Wars, Rathfarnham Castle switched hands many times, from the Royalist troops to the Parliamentary troops.
    18 votes
    Agree or disagree?