Have you ever wondered how or where your Irish ancestors lived?
Were they kings or sailors? Did they live in cottages or castles?
Any visit to Ireland should include at least one visit to a castle.
Our 7 Day Castles & Kingdoms Tour even stays in a beautiful Irish castle hotel!
You can get up close to castle ruins in Ireland.
They are often located off the beaten path, on high ground or guarding the entrance to a bay along remote coastlines.
As you walk through their gates and gaze out from their battlements, it's easy to imagine the strength and glory these fortresses once projected.
📍 Location: Kilkenny
Kilkenny Castle isn't in downtown Kilkenny; it is downtown Kilkenny.
This castle is really more like a series of castles, all built beside each other.
Kilkenny Castle is a sprawling complex of various architectural styles.
Its multiple sections were built at different dates and then extended and upgraded across the centuries.
Kilkenny Castle's location, perched elegantly on the banks of the River Nore and close to the famous Medieval Mile historic centre, offers a perfect base for exploring this historic city.
If you visit Kilkenny Castle, make sure you visit the elegant, red-walled entrance hall.
👑 Kings of Kilkenny Castle: The Normans
Norman forces invaded Ireland from Britain in the 12th century, settling initially in the southeast and then ruling over the island for several centuries.
The reason behind the Norman invasion starts with an Irish noble called Dermot MacMurrough.
Not best pleased when driven from his Leinster throne, MacMurrough sought help from Anglo-Norman King Henry II. Henry sent Richard De Clare, known as Strongbow, to the 'aid' of MacMurrough.
Launching a military offensive, Strongbow not only regained MacMurrough's land, but also his daughter Aoife's hand in marriage. This irrevocably changed the course of Irish history.
From this point (1169) until 1922, the English crown's colonial territories in Ireland expanded.
As the saying goes, 'the English were invited over for a wedding and stayed for 800 years.'
Over the centuries, settlers of Norman heritage intermarried with native Gaelic Irish and became — to coin another common phrase — 'more Irish than the Irish themselves.'
The southeastern corner of Ireland, where Kilkenny is located, is where remnants of Norman castles and family names are most common.
Irish Family Names with Norman Heritage
Though the Normans originated in Britain, Norman names aren't seen as foreign in modern Ireland.
- Adams
- Burke/De Burgh
- Cody
- Delaney
- Fitzmorris/Fitzpatrick/Fitzgerald/Fitzjohn
- Gregory
- Johnson/Johnstone
- Lacy/Lacey
- Lyons
- Owens
- Plunkett
- Power
- Wall
- White
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2. Doe Castle
📍 Location: Donegal
Built in the 15th century, Doe Castle is spectacularly located on a small peninsula in Sheephaven Bay.
Originally established by the O'Donnells, it was 'acquired' by the MacSweeneys at some stage in the 1440s. Ownership remained with the MacSweeneys until the Ulster Plantation of the 17th century
Visitors are free to explore the fully intact castle tower today. Crossing the moat, you really get a sense of what the place was like in its medieval heyday.
From its height, Doe Castle boasts stunning views of the surrounding Donegal countryside.
👑 Kings of the Castle: MacSweeneys, O'Donnells & O'Neills
After the MacSweeneys and O'Donnells, it was the turn of Owen Roe O'Neill to become associated with Doe Castle.
O'Neill was a Gaelic warlord who returned from a military career on the European mainland to lead the Ulster Army of the Irish Confederates in 1642. He was recognised as leader at Doe Castle upon his prodigal return.
Irish Family Names with Donegal Heritage:
- Boyle
- Campbell
- Devaney
- Devlin
- Doherty
- Gallagher
- McGowan
- McLoughlin
- McSweeney/Sweeney
- Mullen
- O'Donnell
- O'Neill
- Ward
Discover Doe Castle on our active 7 Day Vagabond Magnetic North Adventure Tour
3. Dunluce Castle
📍 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland
Situated on the stunning Antrim coastline is the striking Dunluce Castle. Fans of Game of Thrones might recognize it as the House of Greyjoy from the hit TV series.
First built by Richard Óg de Burgh in the 13th century, it was a stronghold of the MacDonnells that ruled in both Scotland and Ireland for a time. The castle was abandoned in 1639 by the MacDonnells when the kitchen (and the unfortunate kitchen staff) fell into the sea.
The castle is attached to the mainland by a bridge. There are guided tours of the castle, where you can learn about the fascinating history and myths surrounding this intriguing place.
👑 Kings of the Castle: MacDonnells
The Scottish McDonnell clan captured the castle in the 1600s. It was warrior chieftain, Sorley Boy McDonnell, who truly left his mark here.
Initially a rebel, Sorley Boy eventually yielded to Queen Elizabeth I. He was rewarded with a shiny new aristocratic title, power and lands.
To this day, the castle is still owned by the MacDonnell clan.
Irish Family Names with Antrim Heritage:
- Close
- Cunningham
- Lynn
- Kelly
- Magee/McGee/McKee
- McCartney
- McCord
- McCullen
- McConville
- McDonegan
- McDonnell
- McKerlie
- O'Hood
- Quinn
Planning a special Ireland trip? Learn more about our private and family tour options
4. Blarney Castle
📍 Location: Cork
First built in the 10th century, the castle that stands at Blarney today was built by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster in the 15th century.
English forces captured the castle in the 17th century. When they entered the castle after breaking the tower walls, they found everyone had fled through three underground passages. The castle was then acquired by the Jefferyes family before being passed into the hands of Colthurst family by marriage in the mid-19th century, who still own it to this day.
According to Irish folklore, anyone who kisses the Blarney Stone receives the ability to speak with eloquence, or The Gift of the Gab.
👑 Kings of the Castle: McCarthys
The legend of the Blarney Stone originated when Queen Elizabeth I attempted to take possession of the castle from Cormac McCarthy.
McCarthy always managed to talk his way out of the situation in a most flattering way to the Queen. She was said to be so irritated — but possibly somewhat charmed! — that McCarthy was full of 'Blarney'.
Irish Family Names with Cork Heritage:
- Casey
- Cowan/Coyne/McKeown/McEoin
- Cronin
- Curran/Curry/Corr
- Foley
- Kane/Keane/Kean/O'Kane
- Mahony/Mahon
- McCarthy
- O'Herlihy
- Prendeville
- Reagan/Reagin/Regan/O'Regan
- Riordan
- Sullivan/O'Sullivan
Hey, genealogy detective! Have you read our simple guide showing you How To Trace Irish Ancestry?
5. Carrigafoyle Castle
📍 Location: Ballylongford, Kerry
Once considered one of the strongest forts in Ireland, Carrigafoyle was a stronghold of the mighty O'Connor clan for over 400 years.
The 'Guardian of the Shannon' is located right on the banks of Ireland's longest river.
Carrigafoyle Castle itself rises to 26.4 metres with five floors, which are accessible to the public. The view from the battlements boasts stunning views of the River Shannon and its surrounding area.
👑 Kings of the Castle: O'Connors
The O'Connor clan were known to intercept boats on the River Shannon and take cargo as a toll. They continued their rule of Carrigafoyle Castle until the Desmond Wars in 1580.
On Palm Sunday 1580, the walls of Carrigafoyle were breached by besieging English Crown forces and everyone inside were massacred. This included 19 Spanish soldiers who had come to the aid of the O'Connors. This lack of clemency was considered standard military practice at the time, as summed up in the phrase, 'No Quarter Asked for, none given'.
Irish Family Names with Kerry Heritage:
- Courtney
- Curran/Curry/Corr
- Crean
- Finucane
- Fitzgerald
- Fitzmaurice
- Foley
- Gallivan
- Guiney
- Mahony/Mahon/Mahan
- MacElligott
- O'Shea/Shea
- O'Sullivan/Sullivan
Don't forget, our small-group tours offer you the chance to stay in an Irish castle hotel!
