Top Ireland Road Trip: The Best Irish Castles Tour
Updated: Sep 2
Delve into Ireland’s mysterious medieval history and the folklore of its unique Celtic culture on a luxury road trip featuring the best Irish castles tour. From preserved motte and bailey structures to ruined lakeside tower houses, this tailored two-week itinerary visits Ireland’s top six castles including Dublin Castle, Kilkenny Castle, the Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle, Blarney Castle, and Ross Castle.
Between castle tours, discover the nearby cities, countryside and coastlines which between them give you an unparalleled Irish experience. Find yourself drinking high-end whiskey in Dublin’s Temple Bar, hiking around the Golden Vale in Tipperary, staying at a luxury lodge and spa on the Cork Coast, and dipping your feet in waterfalls in Killarney.
Ensuring each destination offers a touch of luxury, your road trip will be driven in a high-end car of your choice and you’ll stay in some of the most luxurious historic hotels Ireland has to offer. Read on to learn more about this top Ireland road trip and get indpiration for your best Irish castles tour.
Best Irish Castles Tour Route Summary:
Dublin 4 days:
Discover the famous landmarks of Ireland’s capital including Dublin Castle, Trinity College, and the Temple Bar neighbourhood
Kilkenny 1 day:
Stop for a day in Kilkenny to visit Kilkenny Castle, one of Ireland’s best-preserved castles
Tipperary 2 days:
Spend a couple of relaxing days in the Irish countryside discovering the Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle, and the incredible history of the Golden Vale
Cork 3 days:
Based in Cork, explore the southern coast of Ireland from the coastal town of Cobh where the Titanic set sail to Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone
Killarney 4 days:
Enjoy four relaxed days in the scenic Killarney National Park where you’ll discover some of Ireland’s best scenery and heritage including Ross Castle
Best Irish Castles Tour Days 1-4: Dublin
Begin your best Irish Castles tour in the capital of Dublin for four fantastic days immersed in Irish city life. Whilst there, visit legendary landmarks like Trinity College, Christ Church Cathedral, and Dublin Castle on private tours, as well as all-important museums like the Kilmainham Gaol prison museum and the Irish Whiskey Museum. Between stops, take time to sample Irish whiskey and Guinness in the iconic Temple Bar neighbourhood and dine in the country’s most enviable restaurants in the upmarket Ballsbridge neighbourhood. In the evenings, return to your luxury suite at the landmark hotel, The Westbury.
Dublin Castle
Considered ‘the nerve centre of historical power in Ireland’, Dublin Castle is possibly the most influential castle in the country, making it a must-visit on your best Irish castles tour. On a visit to this impressive motte and bailey castle, you’ll get exclusive access to the State Apartments which were once the private residence of the viceroyal court, known for their extravagant lifestyle, and now serve as an Irish Government complex. Afterward, head up The Medieval Tower, a defining part of the castle and the city of Dublin, and down into the subterrainean chamber where excavations have unearthed defense structures traced back to the Viking Age.
Best Irish Castles Tour Day 5: Kilkenny
Stay at the Hiberanian Hotel, a luxuriously modernised 18th-century hotel in the heart of Kilkenny to immerse in the history of the city whether you’re sleeping, dining, or exploring. After arriving, wander along the River admiring the views of Kilkenny Castle before spending the day exploring its interior and grounds. Afterward, return to the bustling city parade to browse the local shops and indulge in dinner and drinks at the top bars and restaurants.
Kilkenny Castle
Kilkenny Castle has proudly stood in the heart of the city of Kilkenny for over 800 years as a symbol of Ireland’s Norman occupation. Today, it’s one of Ireland’s best-preserved and restored castles displaying some of the best-preserved historic decorative arts. On your private guided tour of Kilkenny Castle’s opulent interior, admire everything from Chinese pottery to medieval tapestries, centuries-old furniture, and a Picture Gallery displaying one of Ireland’s best private collections of Renaissance and Baroque art. Be sure to save time after your interior tour to stroll along one of the trails in the castle’s park and gardens where you’ll find a beautiful terraced rose garden, woodlands, and lakes.
Best Irish Castles Tour Day 6-7: Tipperary
Spend two relaxed days exploring the deep history and rich heritage of the Golden Vale in the hilly heartlands of south-central Ireland. After visiting two cities, County Tipperary offers a change of pace as you immerse in life and culture in rural Ireland. Whilst here, you’ll visit two of the country’s exceptional pieces of history, the Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle, and soak up the vale’s gorgeous scenery on a 5 km hike around Devil’s Bit Loop before stopping for a pint at a traditional Irish pub with the locals. Stay at the regal Cashel Palace, one of the world’s first two Michelin key hotels, where you’ll feel like you’re living in a castle yourself.
Rock of Cashel
Positioned on a hilltop overlooking the Golden Vale of the quiet Tipperary countryside, the beautiful ruins of the Rock of Cashel stand as a proud symbol of pre-Norman Ireland. It served as the traditional seat of the kings of Munster, the southwestern region of Ireland before it became united as a republic, one of the most powerful kingdoms in the country. From the Romanesque chapel, Gothic cathedral, and abbey to the Hall of the Vicars Choral and a 15th-century Tower House, it’s considered the most impressive medieval cluster of buildings in Ireland today. As you tour them, your guide will indulge you the rock’s the incredible legends and stories passed down through the centuries.
Cahir Castle
Cahir Castle, situated on an island on the River Suir in Cahir, was largely built in the 13th century and still considered one of the best medieval castles in Europe to this day. While many medieval castle interiors have been updated with 17th-19th century designs, Cahir Castle’s interiors remain firmly in the medieval period with studded wood furniture and deer heads decorating the great hall. Exploring this giant fortification on a guided tour, you’ll get to see the castle’s impressive defense structure and hear the scandalous stories of those who once lived here and those who tried to siege it.
Best Irish Castles Tour Day 8-10: Cork
Continue your road trip of the best Irish castles tour by heading south to explore the coast of County Cork. Along the way, stop at Blarney Castle, one of the most famous castles in Ireland to kiss the famous Blarney Stone. Then, spend a day exploring the Cork city’s iconic historical sights including Blackrock Castle, Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork City Gaol. From there, head to the Inchydone Lodge and Spa for a few luxurious and calm days on the coast. Whilst there, take a day-trip to the picturesque port town of Cobh admire its colourfully painted streets and step into the shoes of passengers of the Titanic at the Titanic Experience.
Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle is a medieval stronghold built in the 15th century just outside the city of Cork in southern Ireland. While the castle famously belonged to one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy, it’s perhaps best known as the home of the Stone of Eloquence, or ‘the Blarney Stone’. This legendary stone, which hangs over the edge of the castle tower, is said to give those who kiss it the gift of eloquence and flattery and although unproven, it doesn’t stop visitors from hanging over the edge of the castle to test the theory for themselves. While touring the rest of the castle, your guide will tell you how this legend came to be, along with many other surprising stories about Blarney’s past.
Bets Irish Castles Tour Day 11-14: Killarney
From the south coast, make your way back northeast toward Killarney National Park where you’ll get to immerse in the most beautiful natural scenery southern Ireland has to offer. Spend a few slow and tranquil days walking on the park’s best paths, visiting top heritage sights, and trying top-rated restaurants whilst staying in one of the country’s most opulent hotels, the Great Southern. As well as visiting Ross Castle, you’ll have the opportunity to see the majestic Torc Waterfall, uncover the history of Muckross House, and drive around the Ring of Kerry, part of the iconic Wild Atlantic Way driving route.
Ross Castle
Built in the 15th century as a tower house and keep on the edge of Lough Leane, Ross Castle is now a stunning lakeside ruin that defines the Killarney region. Although parts of the castle are crumbling, some of the rooms like the study and bedroom have been restored to their original medieval style. Whilst exploring the castle, hear fascinating stories about its history including the old chieftain who rises from the lake on his white horse once a year to the prophecy of Oliver Crowmwell’s siege that came true. After visiting Ross Castle, take a walk around Lough Leane to take in the castle’s grand beauty amongst the wistful scenery of Killarney National Park.
Start planning your road trip of the best Irish castles tour today
If you’d love to delve into Ireland’s mysterious medieval history and the folklore of its unique Celtic culture, start planning your road trip of the best Irish castles tour today. Let this 2-week itinerary inspire your own as our Ireland travel experts help you craft the perfect bespoke Irish castles road trip tailored to your specifications. To learn more, get in touch by sending us a message here.