Ireland has thousands of castles -  from ancient ruins to luxurious buildings that today offer intriguing experiences, as hotels or living history exhibitions. At CIE Tours, we love introducing our guests to the magic of these extraordinary places, and most of our tours offer castle visits. Here are just a few of our favorites. 

Johnstown Castle

Johnstown Castle (pictured above) is set just outside Wexford town. This romantic castle is a striking example of Gothic Revival architecture, surrounded by tranquil lakes and lush, meticulously landscaped parklands. The estate traces its roots to a 12th-century Norman tower house established by the Esmonde family, but the castle’s fairy-tale silhouette took shape in the 19th century under the Grogan-Morgan family with help from architect Daniel Robertson, renowned for his work at Powerscourt. Guests can explore pathways winding through ornamental gardens, stroll beside lakes designed for picturesque reflection, and admire dramatic towers, battlements, and tracery windows—all forming a backdrop for stories that stretch from Cromwellian intrigue to aristocratic elegance, making Johnstown Castle an unforgettable blend of history and beauty. See it on the Irish Spirit tour.

Malahide Castle

Malahide Castle, located in a seaside suburb of Dublin, is a historic gem with a captivating past. It dates back to the 12th century, when English knight Richard Talbot built the original fort on the property. Home to his descendants for eight centuries, the castle bore witness to Ireland's tumultuous past, and was at the very heart of Irish political and social life for much of its history. The family sold it to the Irish government in the 1970s. Filled with historic artifacts and period furniture, it's popular with visitors - and some say ghosts still haunt these halls. See it for yourself on our Irish Legends tour or a Custom Private Driver experience. 

Malahide Castle [Courtesy Brigita Stankaityte (Bond)] 

Blarney Castle

Blarney Castle may be less famous than its most intriguing feature: the stone in the wall that legend says endows all those who kiss it with the gift of the gab. The Blarney Stone was set into the tower in 1446, and since the late 18th century, millions of visitors have ascended the steep, winding staircase to kiss the stone. But that’s not the only draw at Blarney Castle – it’s also surrounded by beautiful gardens, including the fascinating Poison Garden, the Himalayan Walk, the Fern Gardens and Ice House, the Bog Garden, and more. You can visit Blarney Castle on most of our tours in Ireland. 

Blarney Castle

King John’s Castle

King John’s Castle sits next to the famed River Shannon in the heart of Limerick’s medieval quarter. Built around the year 1200, and extended many times over the centuries, the castle retains many of its distinctive pioneering features, and the massive gatehouse, battlements, and corner towers are there for exploring. Climb the tower for panoramic views of Limerick City and the surrounding countryside.  The visitor center recounts the history of the castle, and fascinating archaeological excavations give insight into medieval life. Visit King John's Castle on a Custom Private Driver experience. 

King John's Castle on the River Shannon

Dromoland

At Dromoland Castle in County Clare, you can experience Irish hospitality - and get a sense of what it might be like to live like a king or queen - with a luxurious stay. Dromoland is the ancestral home of the O’Briens of Dromoland and dates back 1,000 years to Brian Boru, one of the last High Kings of Ireland. The 450-acre estate features a golf course, spa, archery, horseback riding, clay shooting, tennis, falconry, and more. CIE Tours offers a night at Dromoland Castle on our Irish Supreme, and through Custom Private Driver experiences. 

Dromoland Castle

Kilronan Castle

The fairytale Kilronan Castle in Roscommon was home to the same family for three centuries. Built in the eighteenth century and lovingly restored in 2006, it's now an elegant luxury hotel sitting on 40 acres of beautiful parkland.  Guests enter through magnificent medieval gates and traverse a meandering driveway through an ancient forest; the lush grounds sit next to a romantic lough. You can share in this experience on our Scots-Irish Tours.

Kilronan Castle

Kilkenny Castle

Kilkenny Castle is one of Ireland’s most beloved historical landmarks, dating back to the 12th century and magnificently restored to give guests a true taste of medieval grandeur. The castle’s sprawling parklands are ideal for a scenic stroll, and the interior showcases beautifully furnished rooms, an art gallery, and exhibitions that recount its long history as the seat of the powerful Butler family. The lively little city of Kilkenny surrounds the castle with centuries-old charm, and strolling the Medieval Mile will take you to the St Canice's Cathedral, passing several medieval buildings along the way. Visit the castle on several of our tours including Irish Gold and Irish Supreme.

Kilkenny Castle

Donegal Castle

Donegal Castle is a small fortress in the heart of Donegal on the banks of the River Eske. It was built by Hugh O’Donnell in the 15th century, and would be the stronghold of the O'Donnell clan, one of Ireland's most powerful families since the fifth century, until they were defeated in the Tudor Conquest of 1607. The building fell into ruin in the 19th and 20th centuries but was lovingly restored to its former glory in the 1990s. Guests can tour the castle and discover its medieval halls and old-world gardens on our Jewels of Ireland tour.