Amazing Cahir Castle - A Virtually Impregnable Fortress in the South of Ireland

To visit the fortress of Cahir Castle, head to Southern Ireland and the Province of Munster. The castle is located in Tipperary County, and it is just two hours by car from Dublin's airport.

Follow signs leading to the M7 heading south, and continue following signs for Limerick. Once on the N24, look for the left exit onto Bridge Street, which leads you right to Cahir Castle.

Things to Know About Cahir Castle

Here are some fun facts about this amazing Irish landmark.  Hopefully they will entice you to pay a visit in person!

But if that is not possible, you can always use them to impress your friends with your knowledge of one of the most-visited attractions in Ireland.

• In the heart of County Tipperary is Cahir Castle, a wonderfully preserved fortress built by the Prince of Thomond in 1142.

• For nearly 400 years, the castle was said to be impregnable, but that ended with the siege in 1599.

• Visiting the Castle today, you'll definitely want to participate in the guided tour a well as the audio-visual presentation that gives insight into the role of the castle in the region.

• Be sure to stroll through the gatehouse and enter the innermost courtyard, which was the safest place in the castle.

• The name Cahir is, like many traditional castles, derived from its description. The Irish word cathair translates as stone fort, which is exactly what the castle is.

• The Castle passed through many hands between the 13th century and today. It was remodeled twice before the 17th century, and it was partially rebuilt in the 1840s.

• The last Lord Cahir died in 1961. When he passed away, the castle became the property of the Irish State.

• The Castle has been featured in films and television shows ever since. It was used as a battle scene location for the film Excalibur, and it was more recently used in the television show The Tudors.

• If you visit, make sure you start with the short film. This is a great introduction to the castle and its many changes and influences through history.

• As you near castle, you'll see cannon on wheels right outside. Take a closer look at the stone wall and you'll seen an iron cannonball, a reminder of the siege that this castle once endured. 

• There is a small shop where visitors can buy souvenirs from the castle. Make sure you bring cash along, because that's the only accepted means of payment.

• After visiting the Castle, you might want to take a stroll along the riverwalk. In under 20 minutes, you'll arrive at the picturesque Swiss Cottage. Built in 1810 for the 1st Earl of Glengall, the cottage is the perfect addition to a day exploring the area on foot.

You can find more information from Great Castles here.

Want More Irish Castles?

It is probably obvious - at Irish Expressions, we love Irish castles!  The Emerald Isle is dotted with hundreds of these incredible structures.  

Sharing pictures and stories about them gives us a deeper sense of connection with Ireland, wherever in the world we happen to be!

We have captured the most amazing pictures and descriptions of Irish castles in an e-book we call "An Illustrated Guide to Irish Castles and Abbeys."

This fun, free guide is available to you to download.  Scroll to the bottom of this page to get instant access!

That Was Fun!  Where Can I See More?

Great question! As you can see, exploring the castles of Ireland offers many opportunities for enjoying an Irish experience and expressing your personal Irish side!

For more information of this kind, you might pay a visit to our section on Ireland Sightseeing here!

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