For almost everyone visiting Ireland staying in an Irish castle is a dream! Here are some of the top Irish castles in the West of Ireland to stay in and a little insight into their rich histories. Ireland is a land rightly known for its castles. It is probably the most castellated country in the world and the West of Ireland has the highest concentration on the island.
There are thousands of Castles in myriad forms spanning almost a millennium from the Glens of Antrim to the mountains of Kerry, from the wild Atlantic coast to the leafy suburbs of South County Dublin. Some lie reclaimed by nature vine-strewn and neglected whilst others have been lovingly restored and resurrected as five-star hotels, self-catering establishments, Airbnb’s, and even family homes. This great proliferation of castles is a testament to a long and turbulent history but one which is now a vital ingredient of a growing and vibrant tourist market – Spending a weekend or a week in a venerable keep, tower house, hall house, or fortress can be the ultimate in romantic escapism and is fast becoming a rite of passage for every intrepid, and even not so intrepid traveler to the Emerald isle.
Intimate castle weddings are also gaining in popularity. Turin Castle Ireland in Kilmaine, County Mayo, is a magnificent example of a restored medieval square-towered fortress. It was erected by the powerful Norman, De Burgo family who controlled a huge swathe of territory across principally, Mayo and Galway.
The De .