Burgen in Irland

Castles & Fortifications

Leinster's landscape is defined by defensive architecture spanning nearly a millennium. This collection includes the 12th-century Trim Castle, Ireland’s largest Anglo-Norman fortification, and the 13th-century Dublin Castle, a former seat of British rule. Visitors can explore well-preserved tower houses like Slade Castle, Gothic-revival mansions such as Charleville, and the extensive ruins of Kells Priory. From the Viking-era foundations of Reginald's Tower in Waterford to the expansive estates of Birr and Slane, these sites illustrate the transition from medieval strongholds to stately residences.

Castles & Fortifications — Karte

J.-H. Janßen / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Dublin Castle

Historic castle originally built in the early 13th century, serving as a government building, former royal residence, and museum with Norman architecture and archaeological significance.

Anders Hallin / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Malahide Castle

Malahide Castle, parts of which date to the 12th century, lies close to the village of Malahide, 14 km north of central Dublin in Ireland.

Jo Dowdall / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Clonmacnoise Castle

Clonmacnoise is a ruined monastery situated in County Offaly in Ireland on the River Shannon south of Athlone, founded in 544 by Saint…

Jury21 / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Trim Castle Keep

Trim Castle is a castle on the south bank of the River Boyne in Trim, County Meath, Ireland, with an area of 30,000 m2.

Liam Hughes / CC BY 2.0

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Huntington Castle

Huntington Castle, also known as Clonegal Castle, is a castle in Clonegal, County Carlow, Ireland, built in 1625.

Thomas Cromwell / PD

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Swords Castle

Swords Castle is an early medieval castle located in Swords, Dublin. Originally built for the Archbishops of Dublin in the early 13th…

Kevin King / CC BY 2.0

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Monasterboice

The Monasterboice ruins are the remains of an early Christian monastic settlement in County Louth in Ireland, north of Drogheda.

Adrienlesgo / Public domain

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Kells Augustinian Priory

Kells Priory is one of the largest medieval monuments in Ireland. The Augustine priory is situated alongside King's River beside the village…

Christophe Krief / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Athlone Castle

Athlone Castle, sometimes known as Adamson Castle, is a castle located in Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland, dating from the 12th century.

Nmwalsh / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Reginald's Tower

Reginald's Tower is a historic tower in Waterford, Munster, Ireland. It is located at the eastern end of the city quay.

Romeparis / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Slane Castle

Slane Castle is located in the village of Slane, within the Boyne Valley of County Meath, Ireland.

sarah gallagher / CC BY-SA 2.0

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Charleville Castle

Charleville Castle is a Gothic-style castle located in County Offaly, Ireland, bordering the town of Tullamore, near the River Clodiagh.

Ingrid helena / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Birr Castle

Birr Castle is a large castle in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland.

Becky McReynolds / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Maudlin Castle

Maudlin Castle is a tower house which formed part of a medieval hospital and National Monument located in Kilkenny, Ireland.

Book authored by Charles Eastlake -… / Public domain

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Humewood Castle

Humewood Castle is a 32,668 square feet Gothic-fantasy mansion built in 1870 in 427 acres of parkland at Kiltegan, County Wicklow in the…

Norman McMullan / CC BY-SA 2.0

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Narrow Water Keep

Narrow Water Castle is a 16th-century tower house and bawn near Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland.

buzzard525 / CC BY 3.0

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Donadea Castle

The 16th-century ruins of a tower house and manor formerly owned by the Aylmer family, located within Donadea Forest Park.

William / CC-BY-SA

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Roche Castle

Dramatic 13th-century ruins situated on a rocky outcrop near Dundalk. Built by Lady Rohesia de Verdun in 1236, it features a distinctive triangular layout and impressive curtain walls.

Bobby diver / Public domain

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Slade Castle

Slade Castle is a tower house and National Monument in County Wexford, Ireland.