Maynooth Castle
Maynooth Castle
4.5
Historic SitesAncient RuinsPoints of Interest & LandmarksHistoric Walking AreasCastles
10:00 AM - 5:45 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:45 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:45 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:45 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:45 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:45 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:45 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:45 PM
About
Maynooth Castle is a mid to late 12th Century Norman castle with a history that is both intriguing and exciting. The stronghold of the Fitzgerald family, the castle has stood on this site in the centre of Maynooth for over 8 centuries. Today, Maynooth Castle holds a detailed exhibition on the history of the Fitzgerald family, one of the most important Anglo-Norman families in Ireland. PLEASE NOTE - Maynooth Castle is a seasonal site and is only opening during the summer months. Open daily 10.00am - 17.45pm (Including public Hoildays) Free admission and Free Guided Tours. last guided tour 16.30pm. (45-60mins approx.) For self guiding visitors- Within the undercroft of the castle, an exhibit detailing the history of the FitzGerald family. Upper level holds the remains of the Great Hall. Feel free to visit the castle grounds also. (35-40 mins approx.) Visitor Guides / Post cards available to purchase. Maynooth is also open during Culture Night 2018
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingWhat is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
45 within 3 miles
Attractions
18 within 6 miles
Contribute
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
4.5
169 reviews
Excellent
98
Very good
41
Average
23
Poor
4
Terrible
3
WestSydney
Bundanoon, Australia539 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Largely a ruin, this castle was one of the homes of the Fitzgeralds. It is free to enter and when we went there were volunteer guides available. There is an extensive display on the history of the castle and it’s occupants. Next door is St Mary’s Church and St Patrick’s College, which is an enjoyable to walk around.
Written May 28, 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.
motorcar1
Dublin, Ireland14,673 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Situated at the end of the Main Street in front of St Patrick’s College is Maynooth Castle or the well preserved ruins. It is ope to the public from April till September and yours are self guided. It was the home of the Fitzgerald clan. Well worth a visit.
Written August 20, 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.
Sszzzzzzzzz
Ottawa, Canada117 contributions
Sep 2022
This historic castle is located in the town of Maynooth. They offer free self guided walking tours. The history of the castle is well displayed with easy to read chronological boards. Beautiful grounds
Written September 29, 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.
Kathleen L
14 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
Very interesting to learn about the history of this castle and the Fitzgerald family! The free gallery had a chronological overview of the family and battles which occurred. The castle model was a great way to visualize life at the castle. We also were greeted by a wonderful guide who shared insights. Enjoyed being able to view at our own pace, too. Highly recommend!
Written July 1, 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.
Bozeman-Dublin
Trim, Ireland11,391 contributions
Nov 2019 • Solo
Beautiful Nornan Castle right at the end of the main street of Maynooth beside the entrance to the University grounds.
It dates back to the 12th century and was a stronghold of the renowned Fitzgerald family.
I was here a few years ago was was disappointed to find it closed...and today was the same, though I'm the first to admit that I am well out of season this time.
I'd love a tour of the place as it looks fascinating.
To be fair, theres only a cursory low railing around it so If you walk around the rail you will get excellent views of it with the keep in good condition, exterior walls at any rate. I'd love to have explored it properly though.
Sigh. Maybe next time?
It dates back to the 12th century and was a stronghold of the renowned Fitzgerald family.
I was here a few years ago was was disappointed to find it closed...and today was the same, though I'm the first to admit that I am well out of season this time.
I'd love a tour of the place as it looks fascinating.
To be fair, theres only a cursory low railing around it so If you walk around the rail you will get excellent views of it with the keep in good condition, exterior walls at any rate. I'd love to have explored it properly though.
Sigh. Maybe next time?
Written November 29, 2019
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.
Con-Mara
Ireland236 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
Maynooth Castle dates from about 1200, and is one of the early Norman castles in Ireland. It was the home of the Fitzgeralds, who were to become Earls of Kildare and Dukes of Leinster and were the premier Norman family in Ireland.
The Fitzgeralds rebelled against King Henry VIII in 1535 and Silken Thomas Fitzgerald ended up in the Tower of London, and with his five uncles was executed for treason in 1537.
Maynooth Castle is only a shadow of its former self barricaded behind an unnecessary railing. Visitors should let their imagination run to visualise the power that was vested in the occupants of this castle in the late middle ages.
The Castle Chapel across the road became the College Chapel of a new College founded by the Fitzgeralds in 1518. Unfortunately, this College which would have become Ireland’s first University did not survive the reformation, but it was the Fitzgeralds again who supplied the land for the establishment of Maynooth College in 1795.
Maynooth Castle is open during the summer months from late May to late September.
The Fitzgeralds rebelled against King Henry VIII in 1535 and Silken Thomas Fitzgerald ended up in the Tower of London, and with his five uncles was executed for treason in 1537.
Maynooth Castle is only a shadow of its former self barricaded behind an unnecessary railing. Visitors should let their imagination run to visualise the power that was vested in the occupants of this castle in the late middle ages.
The Castle Chapel across the road became the College Chapel of a new College founded by the Fitzgeralds in 1518. Unfortunately, this College which would have become Ireland’s first University did not survive the reformation, but it was the Fitzgeralds again who supplied the land for the establishment of Maynooth College in 1795.
Maynooth Castle is open during the summer months from late May to late September.
Written January 17, 2016
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.
Paul B
Thirsk, UK959 contributions
Sep 2019
It was raining when we visited the castle but we did have a very enthusiastic guide who made the visit really special for us. The guide really knew his stuff and gave us lots of interesting information. It was also very good that there was a tactile model of the catsle which my partner, who happens to be blind, could access and get more information from about the castle and its surroundings.
Written October 30, 2019
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.
Bernie C
Dublin, Ireland14 contributions
Sep 2013 • Family
I just had a visit to Maynooth Castle today and I found the guide Alan made the story of the Castle and Silken Thomas very interesting and I would recommend it for a visit. keep up the good work...
Written September 24, 2013
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.
GalwayGirlMaynooth
Maynooth36 contributions
Jun 2019
There is really interesting and the OPW have done a great job here. It all relates to our history and I would definitely recommend here.
Written July 15, 2019
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.
Aoife M
Tallaght, Ireland29 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Maynooth Castle deserves a 5 star (circle) review. Free admission and Free guided tours!! Excellent exhibition and its presentation is very good and easy to understand! Additional history provided and fun and informative snippets also! The history of the castle and medieval Ireland is told brilliantly!
Was given a tour by a guide called Alan who was very knowledgeable in telling me the history of the Castle its grounds and the family who lived there. The castle is still preserved and the model gives you a glimpse into the past. The grounds around the castle are lovely to walk around and from the ruins its easy to see the height and depth of the castle and its walls.
A stair way leads you to the great hall where you can imagine the medieval great hall and the surrounding bedrooms which are still evident to see.
Overall the staff and castle was a great experience giving important information in the exhibition in both chambers, will definetly return to Maynooth Castle to learn more!!🏰☺
Was given a tour by a guide called Alan who was very knowledgeable in telling me the history of the Castle its grounds and the family who lived there. The castle is still preserved and the model gives you a glimpse into the past. The grounds around the castle are lovely to walk around and from the ruins its easy to see the height and depth of the castle and its walls.
A stair way leads you to the great hall where you can imagine the medieval great hall and the surrounding bedrooms which are still evident to see.
Overall the staff and castle was a great experience giving important information in the exhibition in both chambers, will definetly return to Maynooth Castle to learn more!!🏰☺
Written May 31, 2019
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.
Showing results 1-1 of 1
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing