Which Irish Castle Should You Visit?

Estimated Completion Time
6 min
Which Irish Castle Should You Visit?
Image: ddoorly / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Unless you grew up in Europe, castles may seem like the stuff of legends, fairy tales and Walt Disney World. Fortunately, these structures that serve as the setting for our favorite childhood movies are inspired by real places, many of which are still standing hundreds or even thousands of years after they were built. Constructed by royals, noblemen, warriors and chiefs, castles were designed to protect occupants from enemy invaders, many of whom were determined to scale even the strongest fortifications in their quest to conquer enemy lands. 

In some parts of the world, like Ireland, castles are such a familiar sight that it would take you a lifetime to tour them all ... so it pays to be picky and squeeze in tours of the very best stone structures during your vacation in the Emerald Isle — but where to start? Fortunately, you don't have to research each one of the 4,000 or so Irish castles on your own, because we've got you covered with this quiz! Answer these questions before you book your flight and we'll guide you toward the best castle to visit based on your interests, itinerary and practical details like tickets and tours.

Castle-Tower
JulieanneBirch / E+ / Getty Images
Is a tall tower an absolute must so you can picture yourself in the role of Rapunzel, or are you open to various types of forts and palaces?
Some kind of tower would be nice.
Not required, but ramparts are nice.
Nah, any castle will do.
I prefer a classic chateau instead.
I need a tower, and the taller the better.
I only care about the inside.

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Las-Meninas-Painting
Photos.com / PHOTOS.com>> / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Which of these time periods do you find most intriguing?
1400s
1300s
1200s
1700s
1100s
1500s

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Viking-Warrior
mikkelwilliam/ E+ / Getty Images
Are you interested in seeing spots associated with any of these famous people or groups?
King of Munster
Legendary Irish chieftains
Vikings
Guinness family of beer fame
St. Patrick
Irish chieftain spirits

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Tipperary-Mountains
mikroman6 / Moment / Getty Images
Let's narrow your search by geography ... where do you plan to spend most of your time in Ireland?
Cork
Limerick
Dublin
Galway
Tipperary
Kerry

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Castle-at-Night
The Irish Image Collection / Design Pics / Valueline / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Are you thinking of a day visit or hoping to sleep overnight in an Irish castle?
Enough time for a quick kiss
Day visit
A brief trip while in Dublin
Overnight stay
Either one
I only have time for a short tour.

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Creepy-Castle
By Eve Livesey / Moment / Getty Images
How do you feel about a castle that's supposedly haunted?
Maybe just one ghost ...
Friendly ghosts are OK.
Only cool if there's a ghost tour
I want to sleep in a haunted castle.
No ghosts, please!
The more ghosts the better!

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Gothic-Castle
IronHeart / Moment / Getty Images
Despite what you see in fairy tales, castles come in all kinds of designs. Which of these styles do you prefer?
Medieval
Norman
Georgian meets Medieval
Victorian meets chateau-style
Gothic and Romanesque
Pure Defense-style

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Statue-and-Tower
Copyright. Sasipa Muennuch. / Moment / Getty Images
Are you mostly focused on the castle, or do you want to see great works of art during your visit?
Nope, just the castle.
Period works would be a nice treat.
I want a museum in my castle.
Show me the priciest art you've got.
I can take it or leave it.
I only care about rarely seen art.

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Irish-Road
Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo / Moment / Getty Images
How far are you willing to travel outside a big city to visit an Irish castle?
About 30 minutes
15 minutes max
I want to stay in the city.
As much as 45 minutes
1 hour at most
As long as it takes

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Castle-Garden
Paul Biris / Moment / Getty Images
What are your feelings on a castle garden?
The garden matters more than the castle.
I like more modern gardens.
I prefer urban gardens like Central Park.
I want to see a five-star garden.
No garden required
I prefer national parks to gardens.

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Period-banquets
Yuri_Arcurs / E+ / Getty Images
Are you intrigued by any of these specific attractions?
Mythical stone to kiss
Period banquets
Royal chapel
Elegant spa
Gothic cathedral
Nope, just the castle

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Castle-Tour
Monty Rakusen / Cultura / Getty Images
Are you looking for a guided tour or hoping to wander on your own?
I want both options.
I want to attend an event in a castle.
I want to decide the day of my visit.
I want to wander the castle all night.
I want lots of tour group options.
Tours only

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Old-Coins
Jill Ferry Photography / Moment / Getty Images
What's your price range when buying your way into an Irish castle?
15 to 20 Euros
Up to 15 Euros
Up to 10 Euros
Money is no object.
5 Euros or less
Between 5 and 10 Euros

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Killarney-Lake
Image courtesy of Jeffrey D. Walters / Moment / Getty Images
Choose a nearby attraction to make a full day trip out of your castle visit.
18th century English market
Historic Limerick
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Museum dedicated to John Ford's "The Quiet Man"
Glen of Aherlow nature area
Killarney National Park

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Egglestone-Abbey
larigan - Patricia Hamilton / Moment / Getty Images
Does it matter if parts of the castle have been allowed to crumble over the years?
Nope, give me authenticity.
No, as long as it was rebuilt
Yes, give me a mint condition castle.
I want absolute perfection and luxury.
I can accept some minor wear.
I don't care.

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Medieval-Knight
Pali Rao / E+ / Getty Images
Are you seeking a castle with plenty of folklore and legends, or are you more interested in straight facts and history?
I like legends I can be part of.
I'm fine with just the facts.
Can I have both?
Real history with a Hollywood twist
Religious significance is ideal.
The stories MAKE the castle.

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Rainbow-Ireland
mikroman6 / Moment / Getty Images
What time of year did you have in mind for your visit to an Irish castle?
I want maximum touring hours.
I want something open year-round.
I want displays that change through the year.
I want an overnight stay any time of year.
Anytime is fine.
I can only travel during summer break.

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Majestic-entrance
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Tell us which of these words best describes your ideal Irish castle.
Whimsical
Fun
Functional
Luxurious
Majestic
Picturesque

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Irish-Landscape
George Karbus Photography / Cultura / Getty Images
Describe what the perfect view would look like from your ideal castle.
Upside down
Medieval village
Urban
Riverfront
Grassy plains
Lakeside

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Woman-with-Camera
Anakin Tseng / Moment / Getty Images
Is permission to take pictures crucial to your Irish castle visit?
Nah, I'll visit the gift shop.
I'd like pictures of people in costume.
I can look at pics online.
I want a few discreet photos.
I want to take mostly nature shots.
I won't bring a camera.

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Construction-workers
vm / E+ / Getty Images
How do you feel about a castle that was rebuilt based on period design versus one that is mostly original?
Rebuilding ruins the history.
Subtle restorations are OK.
Huge renovations are fine.
I just want luxury.
Only emergency repairs are OK.
Clean her up, but keep the charm.

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Walking-on-Forest
Thomas Barwick / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Are mobility and easy access an issue, or can you do a whole lot of walking and climbing?
I can hang off a tower.
My kids want to run wild.
I love walking.
I want a valet.
I have some mobility issues.
Mobility isn't a problem.

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Antique-Furniture
Vostok / Moment / Getty Images
What type of furniture and decor would you like to see inside the castle you visit?
Doesn't matter
Banquet tables
Stately furnishings
High-end furniture of any period
Wide open interiors
Medieval furniture

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Woman-in-Castle
lisegagne / E+ / Getty Images
When you picture that magical castle in your mind, what is it being used for day-to-day?
Tons of tours
Big events
Office space
Lodging
Exhibitions
Exclusive, sasonal tours

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Woman-Speech
Jacobs Stock Photography Ltd / DigitalVision / Getty Images
How important do you consider "the gift of gab" to be in your life?
It's everything.
Eh ...
I mean, I guess ...
It's not a priority.
Sure, OK.
I've never thought about it.

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Crowd
Alexander Spatari / Moment / Getty Images
Are you willing to put up with crowds or are you looking for a castle with a little more elbow room?
Crowds don't bother me.
The more the merrier.
NYC is too rural for me.
I want exclusivity.
I love wide open spaces.
I want to avoid crowds.

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Royal-Food
Yuri_Arcurs / E+ / Getty Images
Sure you can pack your own, but are you looking for a castle where you can pick up a snack of some kind during your visit?
A cafe is fine.
I want a royal feast!
I want lots of options.
Five-star dining for me
I'll pack a picnic.
I don't snack.

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High-Cliff
Enrique Díaz / 7cero / Moment / Getty Images
A little bit of danger can give you a thrill. Which of these gets your heart pumping?
Poison garden
Too much food
No thrills for me
I'll pay extra for safety.
Heights
Resident spirits

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Young-king
Imgorthand / E+ / Getty Images
Any castle can be exciting for kids, but some have extra options just for the younger set. Do you plan to bring the family?
Yes, but my kids are older.
Yes, my young kids
Yes, but my kids love art.
Nope
Not sure
Yes, but only for a quick tour

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Woman-Exploring-Cave
deimagine / E+ / Getty Images
Are there any particular sports or activities you'd like to participate in during your Irish castle visit?
Explore a cave
Attend a party
Explore a dungeon
Horseback riding
Sheep shearing
Boating

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