tours of ireland with castle stays

Where should you travel next? Take the free quiz!

9 Spellbinding Ireland Castle Tours

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read  full disclosure  for more information.

Did you know there are more than 30,000 castles and castle ruins throughout Ireland? If you want to see the best of them, you need to know about these Ireland castle tours.

With so many castles to choose from, it might feel overwhelming when you don’t know which ones are worth visiting. Taking castle tours in Ireland is a great way to discover the best castles and learn more about Irish history.

I took many guided tours, and I know they can be hit-and-miss. Therefore, I hand-picked the 9 best Ireland castle tours that deserve to be on your Ireland itinerary!

If you’re ready, let’s jump right in!

Table of Contents

Editor’s Pick: The Best Ireland Castle Tour

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Cliffs of Moher Tour Including Wild Atlantic Way and Galway City from Dublin

Best castle tours in ireland, cliffs of moher tour including wild atlantic way and galway city from dublin.

⭐️ Rating : 5 out of 5 Stars ( 7,301 reviews ) | ⏳ Tour length : 13 hours | ✅ Includes: Professional guide, walking tour of Galway City, entrance fees to attractions, wifi on transportation | 🏰 Book now

This full-day tour is one of the most comprehensive Ireland castle tours you can take from Dublin .

Save a whole day for this tour, as it lasts approximately 13h! Time will fly by as you’ll get to see two stunning Irish castles, walk along the majestic Cliffs of Moher, admire the Burren National Park, and spend time in the charming city of Galway.

The tour picks you up in the city center of Dublin at 7 am, and you drive through the Irish countryside in a luxury coach.

You will pass by Bunratty Castle and Folk Park on your way to Cliffs of Moher, where you’ll spend 2 hours learning more about these stunning rock formations.

“Loved the tour! Stops at the Cliffs of Moher and Gallway with two rest stops between travels. Owen and Suzanne were delightful, funny, and held all the interesting facts about Ireland that kept the tour interesting throughout! The views we passed by were also breathtaking! Great tour, worth the experience, and delightful hosts :)” Theodore C ( see more reviews )

The next stop is Burren National Park, where you’ll get to explore the unique  Lunar Landscape. You’ll pass by the 16th-century Dungaire Castle on your way to Galway city. Discover Galway with a walking tour and see iconic spots like Spanish Arch and Lynch’s Castle.

Tour guides can make or break a tour, and this tour has guides that will transport you in time with stories of Irish history, play you traditional music, and share the love and knowledge they have for this incredible country.

Connemara Day Trip from Galway: Cong and the Kylemore Abbey

⭐️ Rating : 4.5 out of 5 Stars ( 566 reviews ) | ⏳ Tour length : 8 hours | ✅ Includes: Professional guide, transportation | 🏰 Book now

If you’re staying in Galway, this is the best historic Irish castle tour you can take!

On this 8h full-day tour, you’ll discover the county of Connemara and see one of the most fairytale-like castles in Ireland. 

The tour departs at 10 am, and you drive through the scenic mountain region to your first stop Kylemore Abbey, also known as the Connemara castle. It was built in the late 19th century, and today it is home to the Benedictine Nuns. You can also visit the Victorian Walled Garden at your expense, as the ticket is not included in the tour price.

“Driving through the Connemara mountains was just amazing! The scenery is just beautiful and mesmerizing!” Hanri S ( see more reviews )

You’ll get a chance to admire Ireland’s largest lake Lough Corrib and Ireland’s only true fjord Killary Fjord. The tour ends with a visit to Cong village and its 12th-century Augustinian Abbey.

Its unique itinerary, combining a visit to a castle and some of the most important natural sites in Ireland, makes it a clear choice for everyone staying in Galway!

Game of Thrones – Winterfell Trek from Dublin

⭐️ Rating : 5 out of 5 Stars ( 602 reviews ) | ⏳ Tour length : 11 hours | ✅ Includes: Ponchos, swords/cloaks/shields/banners, behind-the-scenes clips | 🏰 Book now

If you are a Game of Thrones fan, look no further than this trekking tour through Winterfell filming locations in Ireland !

This 11h, full-day tour takes you on a trip of life as you get a chance to represent the house of Stark and roam the grounds of Winterfell. This is an immersive tour, so best believe you’ll get a chance to wear authentic GoT outfits for your photos.

“The tour was very immersive. Our guide Lar was fantastic, very friendly and humorous. Would highly recommend.” Larry G ( see more reviews )

You’ll start your day with a 2-mile trek through Tollymore Forest Park, followed by lunch in Strangford Lough. Next, you’ll visit Old Castle Ward, which served as Winterfell in the first two seasons. An afternoon walking tour includes stops like Robb Stark’s Camp and Inch Abbey.

Even if you’re not a fan of the show, this tour takes you to some incredible locations with knowledgeable and entertaining guides. Remember, this is a trekking tour, so wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking a lot!

Fast-track Easy Access Book of Kells Tour with Dublin Castle

⭐️ Rating : 4.5 out of 5 Stars ( 1,167 reviews ) | ⏳ Tour length : 2.5 hours | ✅ Includes: Local guide, entrance fee, exterior tour of Dublin Castle | 🏰 Book now

If you’re short on time, this 2.5h castle tour in Dublin is the one for you!

This tour is an excellent introduction to Dublin’s history, as your tour guide will teach you everything you need to know about it as he shows you around the Trinity College Library and Dublin Castle. 

The tour includes early access to Trinity College Library, so you can see the Book of Kells without the crowds. You’ll get to see Oldest Vaulted Library in Europe, College Treasury, stroll the 16th-century Trinity College campus, and the “Turning Darkness into Light” Exhibition.

“Our guide made it awesome, with stories, context and little quips of culture. Beat tour we’ve done. Excellent speaker, lots of fun information and very well spoken.” Andrew A ( see more reviews )

Time will fly by as the tour continues to show you the exterior of Dublin Castle, and learn about all the important historical events that took place in this 13th-century masterpiece.

Blarney Castle Day Trip from Dublin

⭐️ Rating : 4.5 out of 5 Stars ( 1,548 reviews ) | ⏳ Tour length : 12 hours | ✅ Includes: Transportation, guide, entrance fees | 🏰 Book now

This tour is perfect for those who want to see the top three Ireland attractions in one day!

Blarney Castle Day Trip is a full-day tour. In 12 hours you’ll get to see three castles that marked Irish history. 

The tour starts with a visit to the stunning Rock of Cashel, dramatically set on the top of a hill. Next, you’ll visit Blarney Castle and get a chance to kiss Blarney Stone to gain the gift of eloquence – let us know how that works out!

“This was my first trip to Ireland and it was amazing our guide Noel was outstanding. The view , the castles was nothing short of amazing. What a great memorable experience.” Adrienne H ( see more reviews )

You’ll end your day with a visit to Cahir Castle, one of Ireland’s largest and best-preserved castles.

This tour includes admission tickets to all sites, and you’ll be led by a knowledgeable and funny guide who will bring the sites to life with stories of events that took place all those years ago.

Northern Ireland Highlights Day Trip Including Giant’s Causeway from Dublin

⭐️ Rating : 5 out of 5 Stars ( 3,259 reviews ) | ⏳ Tour length : 13.5 hours | ✅ Includes: Transportation, guide | 🏰 Book now

If you’re looking for Northern Ireland castle tours from Dublin, this full-day Northern Ireland Highlights day trip is the best choice.

This 13h tour starts at 7 am and ends at 8 pm, with a jammed packed schedule you won’t even feel the time passing!

The first stop on your itinerary is Belfast. But you’re not coming for a regular walking tour, you’ll get to explore the city in a traditional black cab! That is because Belfast is also known as home to the world’s biggest outdoor gallery. You’ll get to see amazing murals and learn about the tragic recent history of this region. 

“I travel to Dublin for work regularly and try to do a day trip each time. This was my favorite of them all. Learned so much in the black cab and the Giant Causeway was phenomenal. Rory our guide was the best! Making the trip more enjoyable!” Randi Hogan ( see more reviews )

After Belfast, you’ll get back on the road to visit Dunluce Castle, one of the most charming and romantic castles in Ireland, featured in many movies and series.

Finally, you will explore Giant’s Causeway, a unique and picturesque landscape created 60 million years ago by a series of volcanic eruptions.

From Galway: Castles of Connemara Full-Day Tour

⭐️ Rating : 4.7 out of 5 Stars ( 14 reviews ) | ⏳ Tour length : 9 hours | ✅ Includes: Guided tour, transportation, entrance fees | 🏰 Book now

This full-day tour takes you from Gallaway to the backcountry of the Connemara district, visiting four castles and charming villages along the way.

You’ll start with a visit to Aughnanure Castle, and explore this unusually well-preserved 16th-century castle. Next up is Kylemore Abbey, a picturesque castle situated on the side of the lake, before making your way to Clifden castle and Ballynahinch Castle.

“Thanks again Tony for all that stories and your kindness. We’ll bring photographs and memories with us.” Jason ( see more reviews )

This tour covers more castles than most, and you’ll have a lot of free time to discover each of them along with some quaint villages to explore.

From Dublin: Boyne Valley, Newgrange Celts and Castles Tour

⭐️ Rating : 4.6 out of 5 Stars ( 180 reviews ) | ⏳ Tour length : 8 hours | ✅ Includes: Entrance fees and skip the queue into Newgrange and Bru Na Boinne, guides, transportation | 🏰 Book now

If you’re looking for Ireland castle tours from Dublin that also cover the UNESCO site Boyne Valley, look no further.

This 8h castle tour will take you through Irish history and iconic historical spots. The tour starts with a visit to Boyne Valley, home to Ireland’s ancient capital and its most sacred landscape. 

“Great day out! Our driver/guide got us to the Newgrange site pretty much before anyone else so we easily got admission. Newgrange was very impressive and the newgrange guide very informative and conversational. We ended up having a group philosophy sesh inside at the end of the official guided tour with the tour guide which was great food for thought. Entertaining and insightful commentary on the road trip by our driver/guide between sites. He went out of his way to ensure we had a fantastic experience. Ticked off all the major Boyne Valley attractions and made some great friends too!” Olivia ( see more reviews )

You’ll get to discover Newgrange Monument and Bru Na Boinne, this tour includes a “skip the queue” ticket, so you won’t have to wait in line. Explore the area and learn about 5000 years of the region’s history.

Next up is a visit to the Trim Castle, the largest Norman Castle in Europe, before exploring the Hill of Tara, the ancient seat of Irish Kings.

From Galway: Aran Islands & Cliffs of Moher including Cliffs of Moher cruise.

⭐️ Rating : 5 out of 5 Stars ( 1,531 reviews ) | ⏳ Tour length : 10 hours | ✅ Includes: Ferry ride, commentary, local driver/guide, transportation, entry to Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center | 🏰 Book now

If bus tours are not your thing, how about a ferry tour and seeing Ireland’s top natural attractions from a different perspective?

This 10-tour takes you through the picturesque villages of Ballindereen, Clarenbridge, and Kilcolgan before boarding the ferry to Inisheer Island. You get to explore this smallest of Aran islands group on your own for 2h.

“Great tour! The tour guide was hilarious. Makes seeing these sights easy and accessible. Cliffs of Moher were beautiful. Aran islands are a can’t miss.” Elizabeth C ( see more reviews )

After having lunch on the island, you’ll hop back on the ferry to explore the Cliffs of Moher from the water. Sit on the right side of the boat for the best view! You’ll get to walk around the cliffs and admire them from the top as well!

All admission tickets and ferry rides are included in the tour price.

Summary: 9 Spellbinding Ireland Castle Tours

That concludes this list of Ireland castle tours that should be on your Ireland itinerary.

Whether you stay in Dublin or Galway, with over 30 000 castles throughout the country, you’ll be spoilt for choice with Irish castle tours to consider. 

From the unique Game of Thrones Winterfell trek to the tour of stunning castles of Northern Ireland, there is something for every type of traveler!

More IRELAND posts

If you’re planning a trip to Ireland, you’re in luck! I studied abroad there and have tons of Ireland posts. Explore them below!

• Day Trip From Dublin to Kerry With Paddywagon Tours!
• How to Take a Day Trip to Howth from Dublin!
• 13 Prettiest Towns in Ireland
• 28 Best Fairytale Castles in Europe That Will Enchant You
• How to Take a Day Trip From Dublin to Bray, Ireland
• Complete Guide to Studying Abroad in Dublin, Ireland
• 11 Best Free Things to Do in Dublin, Ireland
• 8 Incredible Cliffs of Moher Tours from Dublin, Ireland
• 6 Best Day Trips from Galway, Ireland
• Ultimate Guide to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland
• Finn Mccools Tours Review: Cliffs of Moher from Dublin
• Top 5 Cheap Eats in Dublin, Ireland

KP is the head blogger and founder behind Volumes & Voyages. After studying abroad in Dublin for a semester, KP got bitten by the travel bug. Now, she writes articles to help other travelers in between trips where she chases her wanderlust. KP has lived in many different places, including Boston MA, Denver CO, Las Vegas NV, southern VT, and Dublin IE.

Similar Posts

9 Best Neuschwanstein Castle Tours for All Ages

11 Best Places to Visit in Austria According to Travel Bloggers + Map

11 Amazing Spots for Breakfast in Edinburgh

11 Most Famous Streets in Paris, France

18 Superb Dublin Instagram Spots for the Perfect Photo + Map

11 Delicious Edinburgh Food Tours

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Privacy Overview