Ireland's Fairytale Castles

Chatting with our friends and customers around the globe, many see our Emerald Isle as a beautiful, historic and mystical land of real life fairytales. And it's not hard to see why!

To this day, our lovely landscape is dotted with spectacular castles that could grace the page of any fairytale. Here are a six of our faves for you to add to your Irish Road Trip bucket list:

1) Cahir Castle and the all conquering O'Brien Clan

Descendant from Brian Boru, the all conquering High King of Ireland, the O'Brien Clan are a great family and responsible for several impressive Castles still standing in Ireland.

The most impressive of all is surely Cahir Castle, built from 1142 on a rocky island in the river Suir in Tipperary, by Conor O'Brien, the Prince of Thomand.

But it is the Bulter family coat of arms that sits over the castle gate, having taken control of this site in the 1300's! It is now owned by the Irish Government and is a great spot for a visit off the tourist trail. Fans of the silver and small screen may recognise it from the 1981 movie Excalibur and the more recent TV show The Tudors.

2) Bunratty Castle

But the O'Brien clan can’t feel too hard done by for being ousted from Cahir. They raised their own Coat of Arms over beautiful Bunrattty Castle in Co. Clare, taking it from another great Irish family, the MacNamaras around 1500!

And the O'Brien's really had the last laugh. O'Brien is one of the top ten surnames in Ireland and the O'Brien Coat of arms is shared among hundreds of thousands of descendants of this noble clan around the globe!

3) Ross Castle

Ross Castle is perched on an inlet of beautiful Lough Leane in Co. Kerry. Thought to be built by the Irish chieftain O’Donoghue Mór in the 1400's, legend has it that the old chieftain still slumbers under the waters of the lough. And if you happen to spot his ghost when he rides out on his white horse, it's said you will enjoy good fortune the rest of your days. So there is some consolation for being spooked by a ghostly rider!

Ross Castle is a fortress famous for being the last place in Munster to hold out against Cromwellian invaders. Its defenders were buoyed by the legend that the Castle stronghold could only be taken by boat. But knowing the story, the Cromwellian commander included a boat in their siege, hastening the surrender of this iconic Castle and fulfilling the legend!

Despite being armed with swords, shields and the like, the brave warriors of Ross Castle will forever be remembered as being undone by their own superstition. For those feeling faint of heart like the Ross Castle defenders, we've been told that our warrior collection gives much strength and solace in dark times.

4) Donegal Castle

It may look somewhat ruinous today, but Donegal Castle was once described as "the largest and strongest fortress in all Ireland." Built on a bend of the River Eske near the mouth of Donegal bay in 1474 by "Red" Hugh O’Donnell, lord of Tír Conaill, this formidable castle was the seat of one of the most powerful Gaelic families in the land.

The O’Donnell clan ruled much of Ulster from the 5th to the 16th century. And when they had to abandon their stronghold under pressure from England, they set it on fire to prevent the castle being used against the Gaelic clans.

Happily for visitors today the tower house was restored by its new owners, with several additions down the centuries. You can now visit the Castle and the grounds in the heart of Donegal town and see how one of the most powerful Gaelic clans in Ireland once lived.

5) Slane Castle

Built in the 18th Century so a relatively young addition, beautiful Slane Castle in County Meath sits on a 1,500-acre estate in the heart of the Boyne Valley.

Home to the Conyngham’s since it was constructed, many in Ireland now know Slane Castle as the site of epic rock concerts. Thin Lizzy famously played here in 1981 supported by an up and coming group U2 and giants like the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and David Bowie have graced Slane's stage in its 40 year history as a venue.

The castle makes for a spectacular backdrop for a concert or indeed a fairytale Wedding.

6) Howth Castle

Finally closer to home here in Dublin, there is historic Howth Castle which has stood In some form on its present site for over 750 years! Recently sold in 2018, it had been the home of the Earls of Howth, the St Lawrence family since 1180!

Our favourite story associated with this lovely spot includes the formidable Gaelic chieftain and "pirate queen" Gráinne O'Malley. The story goes that O'Malley attempted to pay a visit to the 8th Baron Howth in 1576 and was most displeased not to be received as it was Gaelic custom and tradition to show unremitting hospitality. Showing her ruthless side, O’Malley abducted the heir to the estate, the 10th Baron, in retaliation for the snub.

The boy was eventually released unharmed when the Baron agreed to O'Malley's demand that the Castle gates be kept open to unexpected visitors, and an extra place be set at every meal. The Baron gave O'Malley a ring as pledge to the agreement which remains in the possession of a descendant of O'Malley. And this hospitality was honoured by the descendants of the 8th Baron for over 450 years right up to present day.

Your own Family Legacy

If you have been inspired to search out your own family's story after reading about famous Irish Castles and the Irish Clans that built them, find out more about tracing your Irish Roots.

And if you are keen to see your own Family Crest or arm yourself with a piece from our Celtic Warrior range please do get in touch. There are wonderful stories like this and beautiful Coat of Arms buried in history for many Surnames just waiting to be read.