10 Castles in Western Ireland That You Shouldn't Miss

March 27, 2022 Janean Rudisill

Discover the best top things to do in Western Ireland, Ireland including Belleek Castle Museum, Ballylee Castle, Parke's Castle, Aughnanure Castle, Moygara Castle, Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden, Roslee Castle, Athenry Castle, O'Brien's Castle, Roscommon Castle.
Restaurants in Western Ireland

1. Belleek Castle Museum

Belleek House Garrankeel, Ballina Ireland +353 96 22400 [email protected] http://www.belleekcastle.com/history.html
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 231 reviews

Belleek Castle Museum

Learn about the history of Belleek Castle & the story of its inhabitants the Knox-Gore family. Lean about the exciting life of Marshall Doran a sailor who made his fortune from smuggling & antique dealing who later became hotelier & restored Belleek Castle in the 1960's. Visitors will see the original Castle & Marshalls additions to the house such as the Spanish Armada Bar (built from salvaged wood from Spanish Armada shipwrecks) and the Medieval Banquet Hall,. The highlight of the tour will be the Marshall Doran Collection! One of the finest collections of antiques, Jurassic Fossils, Medieval weapons and Medieval Armour in Ireland! Other curiosities include the last wolf shot in Connaught & the bed of Grace O'Malley, Ireland's Pirate Queen.

Reviewed By sandramK8378SD

Went Nov. 2019, great tour, guide fantastically knowledgeable. Would be great for kids as well. Very interesting history. ????

2. Ballylee Castle

Ireland http://yeatsthoorballylee.org
Excellent
75%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Ballylee Castle

This charming 16th-century mansion was restored and used as a home by poet W. B. Yeats in the early 20th century.

3. Parke's Castle

Fivemile Bourne, Leitrim, Carrick-on-Shannon Ireland +353 71 916 4149 [email protected] http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/north-west/parkescastle/
Excellent
48%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 208 reviews

Parke's Castle

Reviewed By 723Dax - Dublin, Ireland

Grand place to visit great lake veiws and interesting place to visit. Posters show refunishment of castle and history. No entry to in doors while covid issues exist. The courtyard is available and on the day we were there toilets were available. They were clean and tidy as was the area surrounding.

4. Aughnanure Castle

Oughterard Ireland +353 91 552 214 [email protected] http://oughterard.galway-ireland.ie/aughnanure-castle.htm
Excellent
46%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 416 reviews

Aughnanure Castle

Built by the O'Flahertys c. 1500, Aughnanure Castle lies in picturesque surroundings close to the shores of Lough Corrib. In 1546 the O'Flaherty's motto "Fortune favours the strong" and the powerful Mayo O'Malleys Motto "Powerful by land and by sea", were joined in the marriage of Donal an Chogaidh O'Flaherty and Grainuaile/Grace O'Malley. Standing on what is virtually a rocky island, the castle is a particularly well-preserved example of an Irish tower house. In addition, visitors will find the remains of a banqueting hall, a watch tower, an unusual double bawn and bastions and a dry harbour.

Reviewed By bumu17

Getting there is quite an experience if you are driving in Ireland for the first time :-) . Once off the main road the road becomes rather narrow with small areas to pullover on both sides to let oncoming vehicles by. It is well worth the trip though. The walkway up from the parking lot is next to a waterway and shaded by trees. As we approached the castle gate we were welcomed(?) by the guard, a cat sleeping on duty nearby. My wife and I toured the grounds and buildings. We had an enjoyable time. Some restoration is going on to restore interior areas, but was not a problem.

5. Moygara Castle

Castleview Lough Gara Gurteen, Sligo Ireland 353-71-61202 http://www.moygaracastle.com/
Excellent
56%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9 reviews

Moygara Castle

6. Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden

Connemara On the N59 between Clifden and Westport, Kylemore Ireland +353 95 52001 [email protected] http://www.kylemoreabbey.com
Excellent
59%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,429 reviews

Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden

Set in a dramatic landscape, Kylemore is an ideal destination for a day out. From its beginnings as a romantic gift in the 1860s to becoming home to the Benedictine Nuns in 1920, Kylemore is steeped in history and tales of tragedy, romance, engineering initiatives, model farms, royal visits, spirituality, and education. Experience the Victorian atmosphere of the restored rooms of the Abbey and neo-Gothic church. Explore the magical Victorian Walled Garden, nature trails and woodland walks. History talks and Garden tours throughout the summer. Dine-in Mitchells Cafe or the Garden Tea House or treat yourself to crepes and ice cream at our Express Cafe. Explore our magical Fairy Village and say hello to our Connemara Ponies and pet rare breed pigs. Shop for unique handcrafted gifts including chocolate, pottery, and beauty products handmade on site. So much to see, do, and discover!

Reviewed By DERtravels - Upland, United States

We had only two hours to enjoy this vast 15,000 acre property. It was not enough. Please take your time to enjoy all there is to be seen. Once a hunting lodge, Mitchell Henry created an iconic castle for his wife Margaret. The property was so vast it included the home for tenants who provided services for the property. Over 300 people. This estate was home to the Duke and Duchess of Manchester for a time and then a speculator purchased it in 1914. Eventually it became those to a group of Benedictine nuns who fled Europe. In 1923 it became a boarding school until 2010, There is the Abbey (home) to tour, the walled Victorian Garden to stroll, two churches to visit and hiking routes. The Visitor center has a very nice self-service restaurant. We enjoyed a ham sandwich, salmon quiche, beet salad and apple pie. There is also an extremely nice Craft Shop and Pottery studio. Items can be shipped home. The grounds are accessible from the Galway City bus station. Call the Kylemore visitor centre for details.

7. Roslee Castle

Easkey Ireland
Excellent
56%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 18 reviews

Roslee Castle

8. Athenry Castle

Gorteenacra, Athenry Ireland +353 91 844 797 http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/west/athenrycastle/
Excellent
52%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 113 reviews

Athenry Castle

Reviewed By 606denniso

Adjacent to the center of the notable medieval walled Town of Athenry and built about 1250. Movie provides the castle's significance in Irish history. Ruins of the Athenry Dominican priory are within walking distance. Castle has lavatories.

9. O'Brien's Castle

Province of Connacht Ireland http://aranislands.galway-ireland.ie/obriens-castle.htm
Excellent
52%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 93 reviews

O'Brien's Castle

Reviewed By GaryO148

One of many O’Brien castles near Galway Bay, the one on Inisheer is crumbling but central to the island. Built on the highest point on Inisheer, the hike up is steep but the views are stunning. From the tourists who were climbing up the walls and posing to the busker who was playing guitar, the range of experiences are many.

10. Roscommon Castle

Castle Ln, Castle Street, Roscommon Ireland +353 90 662 5613 http://visitroscommon.com/CultureandHeritage/HeritageGems/RoscommonCastle.aspx
Excellent
49%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 201 reviews

Roscommon Castle

Reviewed By Mojo2902 - Newent, United Kingdom

This was such a lovely picturesque castle to visit, a good board with history of the castle and plenty of areas to run around for young children. Also had the added benefit of a duck pond nearby and a park for all ages to play in :)

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.