Visited Howth Castle briefly while I was in the area. I didn't see all of the castle on parts of…read morethe front. I wish I had a chance to see everything. I always pictured an Irish castle to look like the castle in the move "Brave" where an Irish princess named Mèrida running around! Howth Castle is not as extravagant as other castles like in Prague but it's still beautiful. Worth a stop if you're ever in Howth!

The Rhododendeon Garden is the most magical and surprising woodland I've ever visited. Think Secret…read moreGarden mixed with Sherwood Forest and a sprinkling of Lilliput. It's truly special when all the trees are blooming (from May onwards). The trees are unexpectedly tall and because they grow along uneven paths, you're completely nestled in a blaze of colour. The skyline is a crescendo of magenta, violet and cream. The fiery hues shelter your journey along pathways and caves littered with silken petals. There are small copses where you can relax, and you never know whats around the corner. We were lucky enough to go on a warm day, and even then there were so few people around, it was bliss. You honestly feel like you're in a solitary, magical kingdom. View the photos to see what I mean.

What a fabulous tour of a castle still going through renovations. Most of the grounds have been…read morerestored and most rooms of the castle are restored and open to tour. There are additional outbuildings they will restore over the upcoming years. The gardens are beautiful with medicinal and culinary herbs, plus apple trees on the property. We didn't get to do the guided tour, but we got plenty of details from the owner on the history and some of the details. This was so much better than the Dublin Castle and it is the only functional moat around a castle anywhere in Ireland.

Had a guided tour here for €4.50. Excellent value. The castle has plenty of history and is well…read moreworth a visit. It is the only moated castle in Ireland. A duck named George lives in the moat. The gardens are beautiful and the tour guide was really really good. A number of movies used the castle as a location, such as Ella Enchanted and the Tudors. You can rent the main hall for occasions such as weddings and I'd imagine they would be spectacular. Really worth a visit.

The gardens here are exactly what I would have expected when I visited Ireland-lush, green and full…read moreof so much history! I'm a sucker for a romantic staircase and we saw one that led up to the castle. I'm sure many brides have had their photos taken here over the years. I expected larger crowds, but I guess a cold day in October doesn't draw the tourists out like a warm summer day would. So if you prefer to visit without so many people, keep that in mind. Be sure to take a tour of the castle-it's amazing to see how well it's been preserved and just how much you can enjoy all these years later.

Malahide castle offers guided tours through the castle. Our tour guide knew the ENTIRE history of…read morethis castle and the people who have lived here. He described why each room looked the way it did and had what it did. The garden was breath taking. The butterfly pavilion was a treat. It was really a great experience. The castle has so much history and ghosts and it was beautiful inside and out.

Dublin Castle was originally built in the early 1200s as a medieval fortress under the instruction…read moreof King John of England. For centuries, it was the headquarters of English (and eventually British) rule in Ireland. In 1684, a large fire destroyed a large portion of the castle. Instead of matching the original Gothic style, most of it was rebuilt using a Georgian style, similar to what you'd find in the French Palace of Versailles! It's quite the contrast. When you visit Dublin Castle, you can choose to explore it in two ways: with a self-guided tour to the state apartments or with a scheduled guided tour that visits the Viking Excavation, the Chapel Royal, and the State Apartments. When you first enter the courtyard, you'll immediately see the newer Georgian architecture in the neat red brick buildings surrounding the square. From the 13th century to the early 20th century, the castle was under British control. It served from being a royal palace and parliament to a prison. Dublin Castle was eventually handed over to General Michael Collins on the 16th of January in 1922. Collins was a soldier and a politician who lead the Irish people through their fight for Independence Dublin Castle plays a huge role in Ireland's history and a walk around the grounds is time well spent. Today the castle is a government complex and tourist attraction. Stroll through the famous Chester Beatty Library if time permits

Nice stop for a fancy castle that doesn't take too long…read more Convenient free lockers upon entry. No lines & self guided. They did have audio tour I believe but we only had an hour to spare. Some cool history here w/ the monarchy here & some old pictures from centuries ago to compare. They could have a few more plaques with info in some of the empty rooms.

I've been able to visit lots of castles across Europe, but very few have been preserved in such a…read moreway that the interior decor and furniture remain and continue to tell the story of their inhabitants. It's extra cool to be able to see things just the way someone would have back so long ago. The rooms are staged with artifacts and replicas and they are pretty true to life. The ornate designs in the wood are original and each one tells a different story. Be sure to ask your tour guide about the term "being plastered" and where that originated. This is one castle you don't want to miss out on.

Wish I had more time to do more! We had a wonderful guide…read moreon the day trip! She was so knowledgeable and fun! What amazing history! SO glad the government kept this gem as it was in its hay day! Please always keep this protected! The gardens are outstanding! Kudos to the grounds keepers! The butterfly garden is a MUST see! I had a great time shopping in the deli and shoppes....I regret not having time for the cafe...the food smelled yummy!

Rathfarnham Castle use to be really old and scary, well to me it was. I use to stare at the windows…read morewhilst waiting for the bus with my mam and I swore I saw a ghost in there one time! Honest mum I did! Not any more now because it is all cleaned up and given a lick of paint, sure you would hardly even know it was from the 1500's! The grounds have all been cleaned up and the grass cut and it is a lovely place now to go for a stroll, long the lake and watch all the dogs chase balls and ducks and check out the local running clubs who frequent the paths. Late evening is a lovely time for a stroll here as it is very quiet. During the day it is a little more lively especially now as they have built a new children's play ground, keep an eye and ear out for the ice cream van who swings by here every Sunday and elbow any under fives who attempt to buy their screwball before you! The Castle itself is open for a tour and has a tearoom. Sometimes there is even talks and concerts help here too.

Rathfarnham Castle is my second review today that was involved in the Battle of Rathmines in 1649…read more It's got a lot of history and doesn't look it's age, as it is believe to have bene built in the late 1500s. Tours are avaiable of the interior and there's a tea room if you're feeling a bit peckish. Make sure to check before you go for opening times as I went there once and they weren't open. One of the main draws as Melanie pointed out is the exapnisve grounds that they somehow managed to keep away from urban development. So if castles aren't your thing maybe the green open spaces will entice you.

The Hill of Tara has been important since the late Stone Age, when a passage tomb was built there…read more However, the site became truly significant in the Iron Age (600 BC to 400 AD) and into the Early Christian Period when it rose to supreme prominence - as the seat of the high kings of Ireland. All old Irish roads lead to this critical site. St Patrick himself went there in the fifth century. As Christianity achieved dominance over the following centuries, Tara's importance became symbolic. Its halls and palaces have now disappeared and only earthworks remain. On sight to see is the Lia Fáil - the great coronation stone. Gayle and I came here on a bus tour and spent maybe an hour or so on site. Our tour guide (Mary Gibbons) was superb, with lots of information and dry humor provided. Judging by the Irish Goddess calendar made and sold here, this area remains a place of spiritual opportunity.

We visited Hill of Tara with Mary Gibbons tour and it was spectacular on a clear day. Views for…read moremiles. Amazing history. A just a very powerful experience overall. Highly recommend.

This slender strip of greenery makes for a soothing walk (or a lovely general commute path, should…read moreyou be so lucky). In Summer the trees and sidewalks are bursting with life, while in these snowy climes it offers a whisper of a wintry wonderland. Beautiful. The only thing that takes this down from a full rating is the sheer amount of litter that is dumped into the canal. Not cool. Stop it. If you're by the Rathmines area of the walk, visit the swans. There are, last I'd counted, over 50 within a single stretch of the canal - you can't miss them, and you'll commonly find a swarm placidly nestled along the sidewalk or gobbling the bread people throw at them. They don't get ruffled if you walk close to them (and if they're being fed you may have no choice in the matter), but please, resist the urge to pet them.

One of our fair cities finer features, the Canal+sunshine is probably the best day that can be had…read morein Dublin. You can walk the scenic peace of her banks, the banter of her pubs or even share a seat with Patrick Kavanagh. Or you can do as the bums do. Tie a load of cans onto a string and keep them cool in the water, only drawing them up when you need one. Might want to get a tetanus shot before trying that last one actually. Nice as it is, this is still Dublin.