The Easiest Way to Visit Irish Castles

Ireland's castles are amazing repositories of history and heritage - and so many of them are open to discover and explore. CIE Tours is one of the best and easiest ways to see Ireland's castles.

Blarney Castle is one of Ireland's most beloved spots - it's home to the Blarney Stone, which promises the gift of eloquence to all those who climb the steps and bend over backward to kiss it. The less agile may prefer to stroll the glorious gardens and grounds.

You can be serenaded by lords and ladies as you feast at a banquet in a genuine medieval castle.

Hillsborough Castle is a late-Georgian mansion that's still used by Britain's Royal Family today when they visit the region, as well as a guest house for prominent international visitors.

Dunluce Castle is spectacularly set cliffside on the Antrim Coast - it's a perilous location, however, and folklore says the kitchen was swept into the sea one stormy night in the 17th century. You'll see these impressive ruins on a drive of the Antrim Coast.

Ross Castle is a wonderfully picturesque ruin just outside of Killarney, a vibrant little town that has been a popular international tourist destination since Queen Victoria's visit in 1861.

Learn about the history at Malahide Castle, home to generations of the Talbot family. Hear their stories, explore the private rooms and collections, and discover the central part this castle played in Irish political and social life.

The Victorian Glenveagh Castle in Donegal was originally created as a remote, romantic retreat - and is now nestled in Glenveagh National Park.

Dalkey Castle offers a lesson in living history, with costumed actors showing what life was like in centuries past. After touring the castle, you'll be in the center of picturesque Dalkey for a bite to eat or shopping.

The fairytale Kilronan Castle in Roscommon was home to the same family for three centuries. Built in the 18th century, 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.

CIE Tours offers castle visits on nearly all of its tours throughout Ireland. Blarney Castle and a feast in a medieval castle banquet are on nearly every tour. The Irish & Scottish Sampler offers Hillsborough Castle and Dalkey Castle. Dunluce, Glenveagh, and Kildonan Castles are on The Scots-Irish Tour. Ross and Dunluce Castles are on the Irish Classic tour. Malahide is on the Irish Legends tour. Discover all these tours and more at cietours.com.