Trim Castle:  5 Must Know Facts About this Iconic Irish Landmark

The journey to Trim Castle is a simple one.  The castle is located in County Meath, Leinster Province, just outside of Dublin, making it easily accessible to travelers from around the globe. 

From Dublin Airport, get on the M50 ring road, and then take the M3. At Dunshaughlin, take the R154 to the appropriately named Castle Street in Trim.     

Things to Know About Trim 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.

• To spend the night in the largest of the Norman castles in Ireland, head to Trim in County Meath.

• That's where you'll find Trim Castle, which was built in the late 12th century by Hugh de Lacy.

• The three-story keep is the center of the structure, and it was designed in an incredible cruciform shape that boasts 20 corners.

• If you're a film buff, you might recognize the Castle from the movie Braveheart, where it was heavily featured.

• When it was constructed in the 12th century, Trim Castle served as an administrative headquarters for the Lordship of Meath. This was newly created position by Henry II of England. 

• The Castle's location was certainly no accident. It was chosen specifically because it overlooked the River Boyne. In medieval times, you could navigate all the way from the Castle along the river to the Irish Sea. 

• Early construction of the castle by De Lancy was ultimately destroyed. However, the castle was rebuilt completely by the middle of the 13th century.

• Over the years, many additions were made to the castle. The Great Hall was added in the 14th century, and in the 15th century there was even an operating mint within the castle walls.

• The last Irish family to own Trim was the Dunsany Plunketts. They finally sold the castle to the Irish State in 1993, but the family still retains the hunting and fishing rights to the estate.

• Once in Irish governmental hands, the castle underwent a massive restoration. It finally opened up to the public in 2000. 

• There are two ways to experience the Castle today. The first is with a self-guided tour of the castle grounds. There are plenty of placards and signs around the property to guide you along the way.

• The other option is to take the guided tour, which is offered on weekdays between February and November. This is the only way to see inside the keep, so it is well worth the visit.

• Don't visit Trim Castle without also strolling over to Trim, a historic village town. The town is still surrounded by its original 13th century walls.

You can find more information about this historic landmark here.

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