Rathfarnham Castle

25/08/2026

Open daily until the end of September, Monuments in Focus, A Visual Exploration of Ireland's Archaeological Heritage from Ireland's National Monuments Service Photographic Archives.

9.30am - 5.30pm. Last admissions 4.45pm. Admission free.

24/08/2026

There are still tickets available for this exciting musical event presented by Artscope in association with South Dublin County Council Arts Office. Don't miss out!

Join us on Sunday 30th August at 3.30pm for Coast2Coasts at Rathfarnham Castle featuring Éamonn Cagney (percussion), Niwel Tsumbu (guitar) and Macdara Ó'Faoláin (fiddle, bouzouki & mandolin). A poignant new collaboration exploring heritage and shared musical landscapes while creating vibrant connections between cultures, locations and countries.

Éamonn Cagney (percussion) is one of Ireland's premier hand-drum percussionists. He performs on djembe, conga, cajón, udu drums, handpan, bodhrán, drum kit and a wide range of global percussion instruments.

Niwel Tsumbu (guitar) is a Grammy winning, Congolese-born, Ireland-based guitarist with a virtuosic style drawing on jazz, classical, rock, folk and rumba. He has performed with Sinéad O'Connor, Buena Vista Social Club and Baaba Maal.
Macdara Ó'Faoláin (fiddle, bouzouki & mandolin) is an award-winning traditional Irish musician, renowned for his innovative approach to the Irish bouzouki. His debut album Ar Thaobh Chill an Fhuarthainn was released in 2025, following his acclaimed solo EP. Named TG4 Young Musician of the Year 2024, Macdara is one of Ireland's most exciting emerging traditional artists.

Tickets are €10 and available here: https://www.artscope.ie/summer-concert-series-2026/

23/08/2026

It's the last day of Heritage Week, so what better day on which to view this wonderful exhibition of images from the National Monuments Service Photographic Archive, and to announce the great news that the exhibition is being extended until the end of September, so if you don't get to see it in August, you will have many more opportunities!

Open daily 9.30am - 5.30pm. Admission free.

20/08/2026

Bígí linn!

Saor in aisce, ní gá duit clárú. Tosnóimid ag an bhfáiltiú. Buail isteach chugainn ag meán lae. Beidh ár gciorcal cainte seachtainiúil ar siúl roimh ré ag a 11 mar is gnách más mian leat triail a bhaint as sin chomh maith! Fáilte roimh chách!

19/08/2026

Join us tomorrow at 2.30pm for our special Heritage Week tour - Eras of the Past: Elizabethan and Georgian Architecture in Rathfarnham Castle.

Rathfarnham Castle is a fortified house built in the Elizabethan era an remodelled as Georgian period home. It is not so easy however, to classify it as simply an Elizabethan stronghold or a Georgian era mansion - features from both eras exist side by side in this impressive heritage site which showcases almost 450 years of architectural history.

This tour will explore the origins of Rathfarnham Castle as an Elizabethan fortified house, its subsequent transformation into a Georgian era residence, and the ongoing efforts to preserve the authenticity and integrity of Elizabethan and Georgian architecture at Rathfarnham Castle.

The tour is free, and booking is not required.

18/08/2026

If you're free tomorrow afternoon, join us for our special Heritage Week tour focusing on the early year's of the Castle's history. The tour is free, and there's no need to book.

Join us at 2pm on 19th August for this As It Was In the Beginning, a guided tour shining a spotlight on what remains of the original house of Adam Loftus.

The focus of Rathfarnham Castle today tends to concentrate on the elegant Georgian interiors largely dating from the last third of the 18th century. However, the basic structure of the building is Elizabethan and was built in 1583 by the Archbishop/Lord Chancellor Adam Loftus. Other than the basic shell of the existing building, additional internal features remain from Adam’s Elizabethan fortified mansion, often overlooked in the presence of the dominating Georgian grandeur.

This is a free event. Booking is not required.

17/08/2026

Just a little reminder about tomorrow's special Heritage Week tour which will explore Rathfarnham Castle's finely decorated 18th century rooms to uncover the direct influence of the Grand Tour on their design. From classical symmetry to ancient Roman motifs, discover how Ireland's élite used European architecture to showcase their wealth, tase and worldliness. Booking not required.

17/08/2026

We are having ongoing technical issues which are affecting our phone lines and our access to emails. We apologise if you have been trying to contact us, and have been unable to reach us, or haven't received a reply to your email. We are endeavouring to have the problem resolved as soon as possible.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

17/08/2026

This event is now fully booked. If you are hoping to get tickets, please check on Eventbrite from time to time, as any returned tickets will immediately go back on sale. There will be no tickets available on the door.

12/08/2026

Here's our full list of Heritage Week tours! And don't forget, admission is free on Saturday 15th August!