In this guide, I’ll take you through the finest castle hotels in Dublin, like Clontarf Castle, along with some great castle hotels near Dublin, like Kilkea Castle.
A castle stay in Ireland tends to be at the forefront of many bucket-lists for visiting tourists, and for good reason.
Castle accommodation tends (there are exceptions) to offer a very unique experience that lingers long after you’ve arrived home.
Below, you’ll find the best of the Dublin castle hotels along with several a short drive away. Enjoy!
The best castle hotels in Dublin
So, Dublin castle hotels are far and few between. In fact, as of 2024, there are now only 2 operating close to the city centre.
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1. Clontarf Castle
Clontarf Castle is located along the north Dublin coastline a 25-minute drive from the airport and a 30-minute drive from the city centre.
Although modernised, the castle dates back to 1837 and it has retained much of its original character.
The rooms are extravagantly decorated, some with four poster beds, and many offer views across the bay.
The castle also has plenty of dining options from the award-winning Fahrenheit Restaurant and the Indigo Lounge to the very cosy Knights Bar.
Nearby you have St. Anne’s Park, a lovely promenade, the Howth Cliff Walk and, of course, Dublin City and it’s many attractions.
If you’re looking for castle hotels in Dublin that boast a wealth of history, a great location and well priced rooms, look no further.
2. Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel
One of the more popular castle hotels in Dublin is Fitzpatrick’s, on the opposite side of the city to Clontarf, a 40-minute drive from both the airport and the city.
It is located in one of Dublin’s most affluent areas, just minutes from both Killiney Beach and the Killiney Hill walk and not far from the coastal town of Dun Laoghaire.
This is a family-run, 18th century castle that is now in its third generation, offering old world charm and a great location to explore from.
They offer a range of rooms from classic rooms to family rooms, with some boasting views across Dublin Bay.
You’ll also find several dining options at the castle, including Pj’s Restaurant, Mapas Restaurant and the Library Cocktail Bar.
3. Finnstown Castle Hotel
Update: Finnstown Castle is currently closed. It sounds like it may be open soon, but nothing is confirmed!
Finnstown Castle Hotel is arguably the least well-known of the Dublin castle hotels. This beautiful old estate is located near the village of Lucan, just outside of Dublin City Centre.
The hotel is set on a 45-acre property in one of the finest country houses from the 17th century in the county.
The interior has been kept in an old period style, with ornate furniture and chandeliers from the dining room ceilings.
The luxurious rooms have an en-suite bathroom with a relaxing bathtub and plenty of room to spread out during your stay.
The dining options are endless as well, with the Peacock Restaurant, Woodquay Bar and Jim’s Bar, where you can enjoy the finest ingredients from an award-winning chef and their team.
The best castle hotels near Dublin
So, as you’ve probably gathered, there aren’t that many castle hotels in Dublin itself, however, there are plenty nearby.
Below, you’ll find a clatter of castle hotels near Dublin, from Kinnitty Castle Hotel and Cabra Castle to Kilkea Castle and more.
1. Kilkea Castle
So, I stayed in our next spot, Kildare’s Kilkea Castle, several years ago and it was a very memorable night away. It’s a 1-hour drive from both the city and the airport.
With a history dating back to 1180, this ancient structure has been completely renovated with modern luxuries but still retains much of its original character.
Kilkea is set on 180 acres of land with lush woodland and, despite being so close to the capital, guests are transported to another world entirely.
There are 140 rooms at the hotel, an 18-hole championship golf course and an award-winning spa.
You can dine like royalty in Restaurant 1180, enjoy a bite while watching golfers tackle the course at The Clubhouse or kick-back with a night-cap at The Keep bar.
Kilkea is widely regarded as one of, if not the, best castle hotels near Dublin for good reason.
2. Waterford Castle
Waterford Castle is one of the more unique castle hotels in Ireland – you’ll find it near Ireland’s oldest city on a private, 310-acre island.
The island is easily reached in a couple of minutes via the hotel’s regular ferry service and then a truly unique experience awaits.
The 16th century castle hotel has just 19 bedrooms, so your stay is much more intimate and exclusive in comparison to many of the larger Dublin castle hotels.
The wider resort offers a golf course, an award winning culinary team and a range of activities including tennis, clay pigeon shooting and croquet.
At just 2.5 hours from Dublin, Waterford Castle is a very doable drive, and it’s close to the brilliant Copper Coast where you’ll find history and beaches in abundance.
3. Cabra Castle
You can’t help but feel regal at this stunning castle hotel in Kingscourt in Cavan. It’s a 1-hour drive from Dublin Airport and 1-hour-and-20-minutes from the city.
The 19th century castle is set amongst 100-acres of parkland and gardens and features the backdrop of Dun a Ri Forest Park.
The period interior features plenty of cosy fireplaces, lavish furnishings, and luxurious rooms.
They offer 105 guest rooms with 4-star facilities, as well as six cottages that sleep up to 10 guests if you’re travelling in a group.
The Courtyard Restaurant onsite is the perfect place to enjoy an exquisite dinner with views across the parkland outside. This is one of the most popular castle hotels near Dublin for good reason.
4. Kinnitty Castle Hotel
Another historic castle, Kinnitty in Offaly, is a magical hotel where you’ll be immersed in a history that goes back to the 13th century.
Situated on a vast 650-acres in the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, you’ll feel a world away from modern living.
Inside the castle, you’ll find the Library Bar, the Sli Dala Restaurant and the Drawing Room, each of which showcases the best local cuisine with elegant dining rooms and open fireplaces.
The hotel is an exclusive affair, with just 37 individually styled bedrooms, with high ceilings and cast iron bathtubs for complete relaxation.
You really won’t want to leave this rural escape, just 1.5 hours west of Dublin City and the airport.
5. Castle Leslie
The last of our castle hotels near Dublin is one tends to be best known as a wedding venue. However, you can also stay here on select dates.
Monaghan’s Castle Leslie is set inside a 17th century regal estate on 1000 finely manicured acres.
The impressive estate is dotted with lakes and woodland with complete seclusion from the outside world.
The castle has an array of rooms from castle bedrooms to rooms at the Lodge and Old Stable Mews, depending on your budget.
You’ll find some of the original interiors and old-world furnishings which will make you feel like royalty even just for a little while.
More of Ireland’s castle stays
Now that we have the various castles to stay in Dublin out of the way, it’s time to see what the rest of Ireland has to offer.
In our Irish castle hotels guide, you’ll find a mix of 4-and-5-star castle stays across the island.
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.