Ballycarbery Castle
Ballycarbery Castle
4.3
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.3
374 reviews
Excellent
195
Very good
114
Average
54
Poor
7
Terrible
4
Bernie O
Brigantine, NJ202 contributions
Jul 2022
We knew in advance that we had to view the remains of the castle from a distance, since it sits on private property. That did not take away from the experience, however. To see what remains of what was once a magnificent castle was awesome. We moved all around the exterior and viewed it from beyond the fence line and found it difficult to pull ourselves away from such a magnificent structure.
Written August 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roam Free
Detroit, MI1,249 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Truly cool to see such amazing history and structures still standing after hundreds of years. You can only get about 100 ft away. No one is allowed in the castle anymore due to some climbing and getting injured years ago.
Written May 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CRSM
Raleigh, NC345 contributions
Ballycarbery was our favorite castle ruins in Ireland, and that is saying a lot! Much of it--almost 3 stories--is mainly in tact, and it is off the beaten track (no buses, no signs or tour guides, no admission fee!) so you can climb around and explore. It's probably not the safest thing in the world, but its pretty neat being able to climb around, as there are few other places in Ireland where this is possible. It feels like being in a period movie or something--almost ethereal. With the ivy growing up the partially fallen walls and the water nearby, it truly is picturesque and beautiful.
To get to Ballycarbery (and to the ring forts), turn off the main road (N70), following the sign to the Barracks. Pass the barracks, go over the bridge, and then turn left. You will turn left off this road to get to castle.
To get to Ballycarbery (and to the ring forts), turn off the main road (N70), following the sign to the Barracks. Pass the barracks, go over the bridge, and then turn left. You will turn left off this road to get to castle.
Written July 20, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FyingKiwi
Christchurch, New Zealand1,129 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
It was once one of (if not the most) grand castle on the Iveragh Peninsula. It certainly looks spectacular still, with its ivy-covered wall. However, sadly, it can now only be viewed from the roadside as public access to the castle has been closed. Yet it does remain an attraction to see, even at an imposed moderate distance.
Written June 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andys26
Killarney, Ireland37 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
Take the time to get off the crazy busy Ring of Kerry route and go to the North shore of the Estuary at Cahersiveen town for a while. There are 3 very interesting archeological structures there all within 1km of each other and you can walk around all of them. At a mere 500 years old - Ballycarbery Castle is the newest of those structures, the other 2 being 2 ancient Ring Forts circa 1000 years old. McCarthy Mór (which means "Big McCarthy") was the chieftain in this Region in the 1500s. The location of this Castle was very important to a smuggler. A sheltered Harbour and good vantage point to watch ships come and go. His daughter was Sadhbh (pronounced "Sive") was given a fort on the South side of the Estuary, Irish word for "Fortress" is "Cathair" hence Cathair Saidhbhiín, the name of the town - Cahersiveen in English. Great place to stretch the legs, and a blue flag beach (White Strand) is 1.5km from here. Kids love the castle, pretending to shoot arrows out the narrow slit windows at the cows in the fields. Be careful climbing, use your common sense but enjoy. And then either bring a picnic (lots of choices in Cahersiveen) or go back to Cahersiveen for lunch in the town that Sadhbh built.
Written March 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wendy C
Sacramento425 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
Ballycarbery Castle was one of my favorite things we did in Ireland. It's on the Ring of Kerry and there's a small parking lot, but no guided tour or anything like that. It's a ruin that still has some walls and steps intact. The great thing is that you can climb all over it (carefully) and imagine what the floorplan was. If you've toured other castles, you can guess where things might have been. Of course, like everything in Ireland, it also has beautiful scenery. There are two nearby ring forts which are also worth visiting. We spent probably an hour here, but even if you just stop and take a few pictures it's worth the trip.
Written November 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cassandra H
12 contributions
Oct 2017
Was there in October of 2016. Went to Ireland for my Honeymoon and while driving the ring of Kerry made a wrong turn and just happened to come across this castle. It is a beautiful site. Be carful sometimes cows will wonder over if they are in the area that day.
Written June 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vagabond-Sue
County Kerry, Ireland1,007 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
What a fantastic castle! Free to see! Used in a few movies, I think! I was there before it closed to the public. There are no fences or handrails,and one kid evidently fell off the castle (it's high!) while scrambling around, so...... now you can just see it from a bit away -- but it's still pretty impressive!!
Near here there are stone forts, viewing platforms, beaches, farms..... it's an amazing area of the Iveragh peninsula - not far off the Ring of Kerry road. Certainly good for a couple of days exploring. Don't rush it!!
A view of the castle I particularly like is from the Top of the Rock viewing platform.... magical on a blue day!
Enjoy!
Near here there are stone forts, viewing platforms, beaches, farms..... it's an amazing area of the Iveragh peninsula - not far off the Ring of Kerry road. Certainly good for a couple of days exploring. Don't rush it!!
A view of the castle I particularly like is from the Top of the Rock viewing platform.... magical on a blue day!
Enjoy!
Written January 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ch6rlie
New York City, NY170 contributions
Sep 2017 • Solo
It is beautiful. I'd recommend it if your in a car. By foot I felt it was a waste of energy unfortunately. You can't get past the gate either, or well, are told not to.
Written September 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bianca Z
19 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
This is such a lovely old castle = ruin of a castle which is
+ free
+ accessible at any time
+ has a free car park
+ looks gorgeous
+ if you are willing to ignore the "don't go beyond this point" sign you can even climb up to the first floor. (I take no responsibility for that)
- you need a car to get there
- if you follow the sign you just get another castle ruin
Tipp: Best go there during sunrise or sunset
+ free
+ accessible at any time
+ has a free car park
+ looks gorgeous
+ if you are willing to ignore the "don't go beyond this point" sign you can even climb up to the first floor. (I take no responsibility for that)
- you need a car to get there
- if you follow the sign you just get another castle ruin
Tipp: Best go there during sunrise or sunset
Written March 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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