This was a wonderful stop on our way back from the Ring of Kerry area to Dublin. Located in the lovely town of Cahir, the castle is centrally located in town. We opted for a mid-day stop and grabbed lunch across the street at a cafe after the visit.
There is a small public parking lot adjacent to the castle, however it was full when we arrived and there were a few cars trolling for spots. As a result we parked on a side street very nearby and it worked out just fine.
The man staffing the ticket counter informed us that a tour would be starting in just a few minutes and was expected to last about 30 minutes. We were quite pleased at the end of the tour on our decision to join it. Our guide had the perfect mix of information, humor, and personality. He talked about some of the history of the area which included discussing how ownership had changed over the years. He discussed many of the features of the castle, particularly as it relates to defending the structure and area. He also added some colorful commentary about some of the bathing habits (or lack thereof) of the elite inhabiting the castle.
If you're a Game of Thrones fan, the guide did mention that they are "in the running" as a location for an upcoming season of the show.
Do yourself a favor and pay a visit to this castle if you're nearby. Go on the tour and enjoy a rather quick but informative tour which helps bring the structure to life. read more