Ireland is famous not only for its emerald expanses, alcoholic beverages, leprechauns and St Patrick, but also for its stunning castles. There are medieval and Victorian, unspoilt and ruined, large and small, island and city castles like the De Vere Horsley Estate. They all have a rich past that has room for exploits, tragedy and mysticism. A journey through Ireland's castles allows you to immerse yourself in and touch the country's rich past.

Blarney Castle

Blarney Castle is one of Ireland's most famous castles. Located near Cork, it attracts thousands of tourists wishing to enjoy the beauty of the place and perform a ritual. The Blarney Stone, or Stone of Eloquence, is built into the wall atop one of the towers. Legend has it that it is part of the Stone of Scone, on which the rulers of England and Scotland were crowned. To acquire the gift of eloquence you have to climb to the very top of the tower and, bending almost into a bridge, kiss the stone.

Blarney Castle was erected in the middle of XV century and has remained pretty well preserved till our days, except for interiors. The garden is particularly noteworthy, housing artifacts of pagans, druids and witches, as well as a collection of poisonous plants.

Ashford Castle

Ashford Castle was built in 1228. It has been expanded and rebuilt many times since, creating a beautiful blend of Victorian and Medieval architecture. The castle now houses a luxury five-star hotel. Previous guests include Ronald Reagan, John Wayne, George V and John Lennon.

Ashford Castle provides the unique experience of sleeping in a castle, like a true Irish aristocrat. You can also relax in the incredible spa, sample traditional cuisine, go fishing, falconry, archery and shotgun shooting, golf, tennis, horse riding, cycling, kayaking, boating and boat riding as well as ziplining and tree climbing.

Cahir Castle

Lost in the history books, Cahir is a perfect representation of the medieval Irish castle. It sits in the middle of the River Shur in South Tipperary. Its main part with its cozy courtyard and tall donjon, erected in 1142, has been perfectly preserved to this day. Later, towers and additional rooms were added. The Cahir Castle's lowering trellis is one of the few surviving in all of Ireland. The walls of the castle are astonishingly thick. Proof of this can be seen to the left of the main entrance - here an unexploded cannonball is lodged in the masonry. Inside, the interiors of the castle have been restored to their original medieval appearance.

Malahide Castle

Half an hour outside Dublin is the incredible 12th century Malahide Castle. It has been completed and expanded over the centuries and was owned by the Talbot family of knights. During a tour of Malahide Castle, you can learn the family history of the owners and see authentic period furniture and works of art. There is also a beautiful 1 km² park. It contains the Victorian Orangery founded by Lady Talbot, the Butterfly House and the Fairy Trail. The latter will be of particular interest to children, who can solve riddles and search for hidden locations where these little creatures live.