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Coolclogher House provides luxurious accommodation for anyone wishing
to visit the many Castles in Co Kerry & neighbouring Co Cork.
The region is famous for its romantic Celtic Castles and beautiful
scenery so you will be spoiled for choice.
The following is just an example of some of the stunning castles
within easy travelling distance and range from fully entact Celtic
Castles and Tower Houses that are open to the public to interesting
and picturesque ruins.
 Ross
Castle
Ross Castle, built in the 15th century, is just a short walk from
Coolclogher House. This romantic celtic castle has been magnificently
restored and houses a fine collection of 16th and 17th century oak
furniture. Guided tours daily. In a stunning location looking out
over the lakes of Killarney.
Listowel Castle
Opened to the public in 2004 for the first time in 400 years. The
best example of Norman architecture in Kerry and one of the finest
in Ireland, the castle has now been restored to its formal glory.
When work is fully completed hopefully in early 2005 the castle
will be open to the public for tours on a daily basis.
Ballymalis Castle
A 16th century rectangular tower of 4 storeys and an attic in the
gable. Tradition says that it was built by the O'Moriartys but it
was probably really built by the Ferrises. The third floor has fine
triple-mullioned windows on the north and south sides, that on the
north side having representations of doves on the outside. There
are two bartizans on opposite corners of the tower which have holes
for muskets. It is beautifully situated on a peaceful stretch of
the River Laune, with a good view of Carrantuohill - Ireland's highest
mountain.
Carrigafoyle Castle
Just two miles from Ballylongford is Carrigafoyle Castle, a tower
house built in 1490 by Conor Liath O Connor Kerry. It is built of
thin pieces of limestone, used almost as bricks with some attractive
windows. This is a very fine example of 15th century celtic castle.
The illustration in Pacata Hiberna shows the unique features of
this castle. The castle was strongly built and ingeniously situated.
Standing on the edge of the Shannon estuary on what was originally
an island, Carrigafoyle Castle rises to five storeys with vaults
over the second and fourth storeys. An unusually wide spiral stairs
ascends in one corner of the tower and has small rooms as well as
the main living spaces opening off it. The stone bawn wall at the
foot of the castle contained a boat dock. One of the turrets in
this wall seems to have been used as a dovecot where pigeons were
kept for food.
A wide spiral staircase of 104 steps leads to the battlements and
in presentation and size it rivals Blarney Castle. It rises to 26.4
meters and gives an impression of great strength. In the forefront
of the view from it, Carrig Island and Scattery Island can be seen
across the broad estuary of the Shannon.
 Blarney
Castle
Built in 1446 by Cormac Laidir McCarthy as a defensive fortress,
what is known as the Castle today, is in fact the keep of a much
larger fortress.
All visitors to the Castle should kiss the famous Blarney Stone.
It is said to bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who kiss
it.
The Rock Close, part of the Castle grounds is also open to the
public and is well worth visiting. This is a curiously interesting
place of old trees. By legend, the gardens are of Druid origin and
were a centre of worship in pre-Christian times. Within the Rock
Close area there survives a Dolmen or ancient burial place. Picnic
areas have been provided in the Rock Close on the banks of the River
Martin.
Barryscourt Castle
This castle was the 16th century seat of the Barry family. The present
castle, wtih its largely intact bawn wall and corner towers, is
a fine example of an Irish tower house. Extensively restored, both
the Main Hall and the Great Hall are now open to the public The
ground floor of the Keep houses an exhibition entitled "The
Arts in Ireland from the Invasion to the Plantation 1100-1600".
The Orchard has been restored to an original 16th century design.
A programme of reinstatement of fittings and furnishings of the
period is in progress.
 Bantry
House And Gardens
Bantry House was built around 1740. It was bought by the White family
in 1765, and was enlarged by Richard White who was the 2nd Earl
of Bantry. The house has a collection of tapestries, furniture and
art treasures which were mainly collected by the Earl.
The beautiful gardens have been restored and are home to sub-tropical
plants and shrubs. The gardens are open to the public, as is the
French Armada Exhibition housed in the grounds.
The Exhibition tells the story of Wolfe Tones failed attempt to
end British rule in Ireland, and the arrival of a French Armada
to aid him in 1796. The fleet had to return to France, although
one of the boats was scuppered and now lies in Bantry Bay.
Celtic Castles Kerry - Castles in Co Kerry, Ireland
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