Drimnagh Castle

Drimnagh Castle Drimnagh Castle can be hired for: Film, Television, Photography, Presentations, School Tours.

Visit Drimnagh Castle, Ireland's only remaining moated castle. 🏰
Guided and self guided visits
Mon-Thu: 10 am - 4 pm (last entry 3 pm)
Fri: 10 am 12 pm (last entry 11.30 am)
Call 353-1-4502530 to book a guided tour.

From 1066 to Drimnagh?While exploring the Dúchas Schools’ Collection, we came across an intriguing old account of the Ba...
26/08/2026

From 1066 to Drimnagh?

While exploring the Dúchas Schools’ Collection, we came across an intriguing old account of the Barnewell family.

It records that “a certain Sieur de Barneville came with William the Conqueror to England in 1066”, with later generations of the family eventually becoming associated with Ireland and Drimnagh Castle.

Lights, camera...Drimnagh! Did you know that scenes from Ella Enchanted with Anne Hathaway were filmed in Drimnagh Castl...
19/08/2026

Lights, camera...Drimnagh!

Did you know that scenes from Ella Enchanted with Anne Hathaway were filmed in Drimnagh Castle?

Movie magic, including CGI, helped transform the castle for the big screen, but the medieval setting you see is very real.

Have you spotted Drimnagh Castle in any other films or series?

Cats at the Castle: Then and NowCats were a familiar part of medieval Ireland, and they played a useful role in a castle...
12/08/2026

Cats at the Castle: Then and Now

Cats were a familiar part of medieval Ireland, and they played a useful role in a castle household.
Stored food attracted mice and rats. For a cat, a castle offered plenty of reasons to stay: shelter, scraps, and a ready supply of prey. For the household, a good mouser helped protect valuable food stores.

This recent visitor to Drimnagh Castle seems to have discovered that the castle walls still make an excellent lookout.

Why isn't Drimnagh Castle open at weekends?It's one of the questions we are asked most often. Drimnagh Castle is a local...
06/08/2026

Why isn't Drimnagh Castle open at weekends?

It's one of the questions we are asked most often.
Drimnagh Castle is a local community heritage site run by a small team of part-time staff and guides. We are currently open Monday to Friday.

Monday – Thursday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Last entry 3:00pm)
Friday: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm (Last entry 11:30am)

Important: On occasion, access may be limited during school visits or private events. Please feel free to contact us before your visit.

Visitors are welcome to explore the castle on a self-guided visit or by pre-booking a guided tour so we can ensure a guide is available.

Phone: 00 353 1 4502530

Whether you choose a guided or self-guided visit, thank you for supporting Drimnagh Castle. We look forward to welcoming you.

Every castle starts with a family.At Drimnagh Castle, that family was the Norman de Barnival family, later anglicised to...
05/08/2026

Every castle starts with a family.

At Drimnagh Castle, that family was the Norman de Barnival family, later anglicised to Barnewall. Their story began more than 800 years ago and helped shape the castle we see today.

If these walls could talk, what would you ask the Barnewall family?

There were no sunflowers at Drimnagh Castle in medieval times. Native to North America, sunflowers were introduced to Eu...
29/07/2026

There were no sunflowers at Drimnagh Castle in medieval times.

Native to North America, sunflowers were introduced to Europe in the 16th century and likely arrived in Ireland in the late 1500s or early 1600s, brought by gardeners, merchants and wealthy landowners as ornamental plants.

Today, they add colour to the castle gardens.

Besides brightening up the garden, do you know what else sunflowers are used for?

Looking Ahead to the Year of the Normans 2027Next year marks the Year of the Normans, celebrating the history and herita...
22/07/2026

Looking Ahead to the Year of the Normans 2027

Next year marks the Year of the Normans, celebrating the history and heritage of the Norman world across Europe.

Did you know that Drimnagh Castle is one of Ireland's best-preserved Norman castles?

One Castle, Many LivesFor over 800 years, Drimnagh Castle has witnessed centuries of change.🏰 Medieval / Norman Drimnagh...
15/07/2026

One Castle, Many Lives

For over 800 years, Drimnagh Castle has witnessed centuries of change.

🏰 Medieval / Norman Drimnagh (c. 1200s–1500s)

🌹 Tudor Drimnagh (c. 1500 – 1600s)

👑 Stuart Drimnagh (c. 1600s–1700s)

🎩 Georgian Drimnagh (c. 1700s–1800s)

🕰️ Victorian Drimnagh (c. 1800s–1900)

🌳 The Hatch Family at Drimnagh (c. 1900–1950s)

🏫 Christian Brothers Era (c. 1950s)

🍃 Nature Reclaims the Castle (c. 1960s–1980s)

🛠️ Restoration Begins (1986)

🇮🇪 Drimnagh Castle Today

Each generation has left its mark on the castle, creating the layers of history we see today.

When you visit Drimnagh Castle, you're not stepping into a single moment in time — you're walking through centuries of change.

✨ History is layered.

One of the comments we hear most often from visitors is: "I can't believe there's a medieval castle here." Whether they ...
08/07/2026

One of the comments we hear most often from visitors is:
"I can't believe there's a medieval castle here."

Whether they have travelled across Dublin, or just moved into the area, many people are surprised to discover Drimnagh Castle for the first time.
Perhaps that's part of the castle's charm. it has been part of the local landscape for centuries, yet it still manages to surprise people.

When did you first discover Drimnagh Castle?

Drimnagh Castle is the only castle in Ireland with a flooded moat.A moat was the first line of defence, making a castle ...
01/07/2026

Drimnagh Castle is the only castle in Ireland with a flooded moat.
A moat was the first line of defence, making a castle more difficult to attack. It also sent a message to anyone approaching: this was a place of power and authority.
What does the moat tell you today?

Address

Drimnagh Castle, Longmile Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 12
Dublin

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 1pm

Telephone

+35314502530

Website

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