10 Best Castles in Dublin

Have you ever wanted to live in a castle? This may not be possible (or maybe it is, who knows), but to give you an idea of what the experience would be like, I suggest you visit a few castles in the Irish capital. Of course, there are many other things to do and see in Dublin, but there is little to compare to getting to know its history through its fortresses.

I warn you that you will have to move around a bit to see them all, but always to places very close to Dublin and whose landscapes and castles are well worth a visit. The good thing is that most of them are open to the public and visiting them will bring you closer to the legends and culture of Ireland. Shall I tell you which are my favourites?

You can't go to Dublin and not see this castle, which has so much history. Don't think it has only acted as a fortress or as a home for royalty, it has also been a Court of Justice and a settlement for Vikings. Incredible, isn't it?

Nowadays, it is used as a place for official receptions, although its interior houses exhibitions so that its historical value and role can be understood.

As you can see, it has a lot to tell, which is why I recommend you book a guided tour to see Dublin Castle. That way you won't miss any of the details. Although the exterior is more austere due to a fire in 1684, the rooms are fairly well preserved and it is worth hearing its history.

• Highlights: the throne room and the gunpowder tower.
• Price of guided tour: 56€.

The first thing that will strike you about Kilkenny Castle is the number of architectural styles it mixes. The reason is that, throughout its history, it has suffered attacks, invasions and reconstructions, and its appearance is a reflection of all this.

I recommend a trip to Kilkenny from Dublin to see the castle and the surrounding area. And the best thing: they are usually very good value for money.

One of the aspects that attracts most visitors (thousands every year) is its exquisite and luxurious interior decoration. You can see the rooms, furniture and objects just as they were, as they have been painstakingly restored.

• Highlights: the library, the picture gallery and the imposing fireplace, as well as the ballroom.
• Price of the tour: 35€.

To visit Trim Castle you will need to take one of the tours available from Dublin to the village of the same name. When you arrive, it will probably look familiar, as it was the setting for the famous film Braveheart. I don't think Mel Gibson is still around, but there are plenty of stories.

The first thing you need to know is that it is the oldest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. It was built in 1176 and the hill of Meath, where it stands, was the site of many battles between the Irish and the English.

If you're lucky enough to be in Dublin in the summer, you're sure to see many Irish people enjoying the sunshine around the castle- join them!

• Highlights: The Outer Garden.
• Entry fee: €5.

There's plenty to see on a trip to Malahide from Dublin, and its famous castle is a must-see. It's a charming and scenic place to escape the pace of the capital.

Perhaps most surprisingly, until the late 20th century (1975 to be precise) it remained a private residence, that of the Talbot family, who came to Ireland with William the Conqueror and built this fascinating home.

As well as being used as their home, Malahide Castle also served as a secret Catholic church. Remember that Protestantism was for many years the only religion allowed in Ireland so the Talbot family and other adherents of Catholicism held services in secret.

• Highlights: the cupboard that was used to hide the priest.
• Entrance fee: €12.

Not all castles were built for military purposes, and wait until you hear the story of Swords Castle. Its function was to house the first Anglo-Norman Archbishop of Dublin in the early 13th century, but its location, its northern tower and its walled area gave it a defensive aspect.

Apart from entering the castle, I recommend a stroll through the park and a picnic or even a game of tennis on one of the courts provided for this purpose.

• Highlights: the chapel, as it was designed for a church person.
• Entrance fee: free of charge. But it is only open from March to October.

How did castles defend themselves? On your visit to Dalkey you can find out. Its castle dates back to the year 700 and, if it is still standing, it is perhaps because of its defence system: throwing hot objects and liquids over the drawbridge when enemies passed through.

The castle is located in the village of Dalkey, just 10 miles from Dublin.

• Highlights: The castle tower, with beautiful views of the Irish coastline.
• Entrance fee: €8.

The power of Maynooth Castle was evident during the 14th century. It was home to the Fitzgerald family, the Earls of Kildare. Some members of this lineage, such as Garret Mór, ruled Ireland for several years in the name of the English king.

Inside there is a permanent exhibition that takes you on a journey through its history. When you leave, there is nothing like enjoying the well-tended vegetation that surrounds it.

Legend has it that the Fitzgeralds tried to attack Dublin. But the offensive did not go well and the biggest casualty was their castle. This is possibly the reason why when you go there it seems smaller than it really was.

• Highlights: The tower, which is the only thing that remains intact and was the tallest and largest in the country.
• Entrance fee: free of charge.

Howth is one of the most beautiful places in the area, so I recommend booking a trip to Howth from Dublin to see everything there is in this fishing village, including the castle.

The worst thing is that you can only enter the castle on Sundays and only by requesting it beforehand through their website, as it is still the residence of the Gaisford St. Laurence family.

Although it is not always possible to enter, you can walk around the outside of the castle. Access is free and will give you an idea of what life is like there (in style, as you can imagine). The whole of the outside area is also used in a more public way and cooking workshops are often organised.

Legend has it

Apparently, a fearsome pirate, Gráinne O'Malley, turned up at Howth Castle one night in 1576 to ask for supplies. The lords told her no, they were dining and did not want to be disturbed.

In response O'Malley attacked the castle, kidnapped the heir and, in order to release him, made him promise that an extra plate would be set out each day in case any guests came unannounced. Today the castle keeps the promise - why not go and check it out?

Ardgillan Castle is a large country house located just an hour from Dublin. It is in one of the County Regional Parks, so be prepared for lots of nature and incredible views.

You'll be able to see the ground floor rooms and kitchens, which are also open to the public. You'll be amazed by the Victorian-style décor, plus you'll be able to see the temporary and permanent exhibitions.

The good thing is that you can also go down to the basement of the castle, where the servants' quarters were. Of course, you can't miss the exterior.

• Highlights: its impressive garden, from where you can get a much better view of the building's architecture.
• Entrance fee: €12.

Your visit to Kilkea Castle can turn into a stay. That's right, this place, which was built in the Middle Ages by the Earls of Kildare, is nowadays a luxury hotel. Of course, spending a night there is not always an option because of the price, but you can come and walk around its more than 180 hectares.

During your visit (or your stay) you will be accompanied by "Bluebells", typical trees of the area. If you travel to Dublin in spring, you will be lucky enough to see them blooming with their tiny lilac bells.

The curious thing about Kilkea is that it is one of the few inhabited castles in Ireland, and it has been standing since 1180. It was built by Hugh de Lacy for Walter de Riddlesford, a Norman nobleman. He played a key role in the Norman invasion of Ireland.

• Highlights: The exterior.
• Entry fee: approximately €145 per stay.

Have you already chosen the castle (or castles) you are going to visit? Each one has its own charm and, depending on your interests or availability, there will be some that will catch your attention. Whether you end up going to one or several, I want to share with you some tips for your visits.

• Book tickets in advance: Dublin is famous for having many castles, so there are usually quite a lot of visitors (especially in high season) and sometimes, due to the historical or even private nature of some of them, the capacity is restricted.
• Check the openinghours: not only the opening hours, but also the times when the castles are open for visits. Occasionally, due to maintenance work, some fortresses are not available to the public. This information can usually be found on the Heritage Ireland website.
• Try to visit in spring or summer: there is no bad time to visit Dublin's castles, but it's true that most of them have beautiful exteriors that are best enjoyed in fine weather.