Cahir Castle
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This imposing 15th-century castle was long a military stronghold.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
826 reviews
Excellent
513
Very good
256
Average
52
Poor
4
Terrible
1
Sarsfield70
County Cork, Ireland13 contributions
Aug 2022 • Friends
While a website recommended pre booking, a quick phone call assured us we could rock up and go in, so it was time to hit the road north.
Cahir was bustling and enjoying the weather, and the holidaying public were still evident.
Pricewise, great value for money indeed.
We did a bit of exploring before joining a guided tour at 3.
Having walked around beforehand, a lot of the in depth architecture and social history details I missed, however the guided tour fixed that,
Delivering the castles long and sometimes complex history in an easily understood
fashion.
As its peak holiday season of course you'll have a mixture of casual day trippers and enthusiastic history buffs, so it's a job of work sometimes to strike the happy medium for all - there can be lots of noise to contend with in the area at the start of the tour so get up front maybe where you can hear.
Once inside, no bothers at all.
Initial impressions were the high level of care and maintenance, everything and everywhere so well presented and looked after. Well done to the cleaners, maintenance and ground staff.
That sworn enemy and nemesis of many castles and old buildings, the pigeon and their poop, was not to be seen.
For young explorers, there's plenty spaces to investigate while imaging the grisly sieges that played out long ago. Take care on the spiral stairway, you may have a lot of traffic there!
The clues to the secrets of the castles architectural details were unlocked in a smooth and engaging fashion by our guide, (pay attention for the quirky one-liners,he's here all week, folks!) as was the long history of ownership, sieges and dramas that played out there through the centuries.
For movie location buffs like me, it was a treat to be on one of the set locations for Stanley kubricks sumptuous period film Barry Lyndon, it would be nice maybe to have a gallery of photos from when the films were being made. Nice to see the last duel fireplace preserved! Many photo ops no doubt to follow.
The big model diorama of the siege is a fantastic piece of work, tiny figures and items done to such detail. Really compliments the story in an easy to grasp way, aided by the push button lights that show the progress of the siege.
Thanks again to all involved and on site,
Keep up the high standard :-)
Cahir was bustling and enjoying the weather, and the holidaying public were still evident.
Pricewise, great value for money indeed.
We did a bit of exploring before joining a guided tour at 3.
Having walked around beforehand, a lot of the in depth architecture and social history details I missed, however the guided tour fixed that,
Delivering the castles long and sometimes complex history in an easily understood
fashion.
As its peak holiday season of course you'll have a mixture of casual day trippers and enthusiastic history buffs, so it's a job of work sometimes to strike the happy medium for all - there can be lots of noise to contend with in the area at the start of the tour so get up front maybe where you can hear.
Once inside, no bothers at all.
Initial impressions were the high level of care and maintenance, everything and everywhere so well presented and looked after. Well done to the cleaners, maintenance and ground staff.
That sworn enemy and nemesis of many castles and old buildings, the pigeon and their poop, was not to be seen.
For young explorers, there's plenty spaces to investigate while imaging the grisly sieges that played out long ago. Take care on the spiral stairway, you may have a lot of traffic there!
The clues to the secrets of the castles architectural details were unlocked in a smooth and engaging fashion by our guide, (pay attention for the quirky one-liners,he's here all week, folks!) as was the long history of ownership, sieges and dramas that played out there through the centuries.
For movie location buffs like me, it was a treat to be on one of the set locations for Stanley kubricks sumptuous period film Barry Lyndon, it would be nice maybe to have a gallery of photos from when the films were being made. Nice to see the last duel fireplace preserved! Many photo ops no doubt to follow.
The big model diorama of the siege is a fantastic piece of work, tiny figures and items done to such detail. Really compliments the story in an easy to grasp way, aided by the push button lights that show the progress of the siege.
Thanks again to all involved and on site,
Keep up the high standard :-)
Written August 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
nick w
London, UK1,031 contributions
Jun 2022
This castle is amazingly well-preserved and occupies a beautiful riverside location. Entrance is 5 euros each and there are a couple of informative exhibitions inside, not just of the history of the castle but also of the campaign for Irish independence and the role of women in medieval Irish society.
There are toilets in the castle and a car park next door (less that 2 euros for a few hours. If the weather is fine combine a trip to the castle with a walk along the river to the Swiss Cottage (about 30 mins in each direction along a paved path). It is a beautiful walk.
There are toilets in the castle and a car park next door (less that 2 euros for a few hours. If the weather is fine combine a trip to the castle with a walk along the river to the Swiss Cottage (about 30 mins in each direction along a paved path). It is a beautiful walk.
Written June 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MsMitford
Dublin, Ireland151 contributions
Jul 2022
We came here in July with a group, we were initially met at the front desk by a older gentleman in glasses, even though we had booked in advance he grumbled that it was expected to be a busy day of tourists so he wasn't certain our group could be accommodated. Not the most welcoming atmosphere when visiting a national heritage property.
However things quickly improved when we were met by our friendly guide Tadhg (think this was his name - tall, young man with glasses), whose enthusiasm for the history of the castle and the era really shone through - he was incredibly well informed and explained aspects of the architecture to our group in a clear and concise manner. He was an amazing ambassador for the castle, and OPW, I'm sure he'd make an excellent curator. Though the Norman period isn't my favoured historical period his tour really had us all listening intently.
Definitely a must visit, and has recently been the backdrop for many historical period films. We recommend visiting alongside the Swiss Cottage nearby.
However things quickly improved when we were met by our friendly guide Tadhg (think this was his name - tall, young man with glasses), whose enthusiasm for the history of the castle and the era really shone through - he was incredibly well informed and explained aspects of the architecture to our group in a clear and concise manner. He was an amazing ambassador for the castle, and OPW, I'm sure he'd make an excellent curator. Though the Norman period isn't my favoured historical period his tour really had us all listening intently.
Definitely a must visit, and has recently been the backdrop for many historical period films. We recommend visiting alongside the Swiss Cottage nearby.
Written August 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
crayolabird
Savage, MD608 contributions
Apr 2022
My sons ages 16, 9 and 9 RAVED about this castle when we were finished visiting. They loved that we could explore at our own pace and that it looked so much like what they'd imagined a castle to be. Don't miss the stairs that lead to a dungeon cell and then climb up super steep to a battlement that you can stand on and look out over the city - that was their favorite!
Written July 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bozeman-Dublin
Trim, Ireland8,584 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
We had a brilliant afternoon visiting the beautiful Cahir Castle. We did a combination of self guided exploration as well as a guided tour. That's the beauty of the place, as if you arrive early you can explore away yourself before and after the guided tour which took about 50 minutes. The guide was very good, clearly loved the place and it's history abd told us do much we'd never have learned exploring in our own.
Incredibly well preserved Castle with loads of nooks and crannies to explore. The Banquet Hall is beatiful and you can go into thd Keep itself and climb the narrow stairs to get good views of the castke walls and the river below.
There are exhibitions on the 1916 Rising and the 1919-21 War of Independence. There is an interactive model of the castle with lights telling the story of the siege and the fall of the castle back in the day.The short film included is well worth watching.
There are stairs down to the dungeons and under the walls to a viewing platform.
The battlements are really striking, as is the magnificent portcullis.
All in all, an absolute gem of a place to visit, fantastic.
Incredibly well preserved Castle with loads of nooks and crannies to explore. The Banquet Hall is beatiful and you can go into thd Keep itself and climb the narrow stairs to get good views of the castke walls and the river below.
There are exhibitions on the 1916 Rising and the 1919-21 War of Independence. There is an interactive model of the castle with lights telling the story of the siege and the fall of the castle back in the day.The short film included is well worth watching.
There are stairs down to the dungeons and under the walls to a viewing platform.
The battlements are really striking, as is the magnificent portcullis.
All in all, an absolute gem of a place to visit, fantastic.
Written July 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Richard C
1 contribution
Jul 2022 • Family
I visited with my wife and three young children today. Under 12s go free so it only cost us 5 Euro per adult which was excellent value. There was a short tour at the start with a pleasant and knowledgeable guide, then we had the rest of the time to explore ourselves. We spent about an hour there and could easily have spent longer but our 2 year old decided it was lunch time.
Written July 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
victoria B
Lincolnshire, UK560 contributions
Jun 2022
A stunning castle which probably didn't look that much different in Medieval times. It is no wonder this place has been used for quite a few films!
Right by the river in the centre of the village, there is a large public car park adjacent. Inside the rooms are laid out to recreate the interiors of former times with original exhibits. There is even a working portcullis!
Inside one of the courtyards, there is a beautiful seventeenth century manor house - which is not open to the public - but a view of the outside was a pleasure.
There were no crowds when I went, and most of the rooms I had to myself. It was June, so the outside of the castle was framed by lovely spring flowers which continued to a public park behind.
There are toilets at the castle and eating places nearby in the village.
Right by the river in the centre of the village, there is a large public car park adjacent. Inside the rooms are laid out to recreate the interiors of former times with original exhibits. There is even a working portcullis!
Inside one of the courtyards, there is a beautiful seventeenth century manor house - which is not open to the public - but a view of the outside was a pleasure.
There were no crowds when I went, and most of the rooms I had to myself. It was June, so the outside of the castle was framed by lovely spring flowers which continued to a public park behind.
There are toilets at the castle and eating places nearby in the village.
Written September 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
zauberin
calgary157 contributions
Oct 2020
Set in the middle of the town of Cahir, this castle offers a good depiction of a medieval fortress. You see/visit the many buildings that are integral to the fortress. This castle actually has a functioning porticulis - iron gate. You don't see that too often. The interior is furnished with some furniture as well. The great hall is particularly impressive. This castle is definitely in better shape than the Blarney Castle, whose interior is bleak and dark. We visited in September 2020. Good weather that day!
Written September 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Samdromeda
4 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Beautiful castle with a stunning and spacious public garden. Staff was kind. We went on a self guided tour and had fun exploring the rooms and roaming around the grounds. Inexpensive and worth a visit!
Written May 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jaimee G
Urbana, IL435 contributions
Jun 2022
I enjoyed this castle much more than Kilkenny. It has fewer reconstructed spaces, but it felt more real somehow. With the cannonballs still embedded in the walls, the dungeons, portcullis, and murder hole on display, it brought history to life. I enjoyed the narrow stairways and tiny hallways and the ground surrounding it are beautiful. There's the river in front with geese, walking trails with flowers, and it's located right in the middle of town with a convenient car park next door and cafes across the street. The local farmer's market was in session when we parked, too. Definitely recommend, especially if you're going to the Rock of Cashel- this is just 20 minutes away.
Written June 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mandrea65
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tengo entendido que Cahir Castle está en una isla, como se cruza a él? hay puentes u otra forma de cruzar?
fuentesssf
Madrid, Spain44 contributions
esta en la entrada de la ciudad
Tienes parking en puerta, pasando puente
Mireia B
Barcelona, Spain23 contributions
Me gustarÃa saber el precio de la visita, en la página web pone tres euros sin embargo en una opinión reciente dicen siete....
Whitney S
Padua, Italy2 contributions
il castello è chiuso per restauro?
Marcello F
Province of Verona, Italy133 contributions
È aperto e ben conservato
Cahir Castle (County Tipperary) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Cahir Castle
- We recommend booking Cahir Castle tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 2 Cahir Castle tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Cahir Castle:
- (0.12 mi) Cahir House Hotel
- (0.15 mi) Tinsley House B&B
- (0.23 mi) Carrigeen Castle
- (0.32 mi) Castle Gardens
- (7.96 mi) Bansha Castle
- Restaurants near Cahir Castle:
- (0.11 mi) Lava Rock Restaurant
- (0.12 mi) The Lazy Bean Cafe
- (0.04 mi) Riverhouse Restaurant
- (0.09 mi) Shamrock
- (0.08 mi) The Keep Coffee Shop Cahir
- Attractions near Cahir Castle:
- (0.04 mi) Castle View Crafts
- (0.11 mi) Cahir Farmers Market
- (0.12 mi) W H Irwins
- (0.16 mi) The Craft Granary
- (0.18 mi) Cahir Abbey