How to Visit Cahir Castle
Here's our guide on the Cahir Castle in Ireland. Includes tips on what to expect, how to visit without a guided tour, opening hours, when to go, and how to get.
Sitting in the heart of Tipperary County, Cahir Castle gives you a great opportunity to travel back in time.
The time of brave knights, medieval history, and massive stone forts.
We were unsure what to expect from Cahir Castle, but we discovered one of Ireland's best-preserved and largest medieval castles here.
The massive defensive walls, the natural moat of River Suir, and a single causeway made a formidable fortress that withstood many attacks.
And even after all those centuries, the castle still has this unique fortress-like feel that is not that easily found these days.
Yes, unlike some of its counterparts, Cahir Castle still keeps a very authentic atmosphere. And we were really glad we incorporated it into our Ireland road trip itinerary.
So here's everything you should know before visiting Cahir Castle in Ireland.
Why Visit Cahir Castle
Cahir Castle is a fairly large and well-preserved fortress full of medieval history. It's inexpensive to visit and serves as a great introduction to castles in Ireland.
In fact, Cahir Castle was the first site that reminded us of some castles in our home country.
Not because of the looks but primarily thanks to the entire medieval experience this site provides.
Furthermore, the castle is well accessible from pretty much every major city in the southern half of Ireland, especially from Dublin and Cork.
And when combined with other top attractions in this area, it is a perfect day trip for all history lovers.
History
As mentioned above, Cahir Castle was built on a rocky island on the River Suir in the 13th century.
The castle you can see today is a result of many modifications, mainly from the 15th, 16th, and 19th centuries.
However, the 13th century is still very present and runs through almost every stone here.
Even though the castle was considered impenetrable, it fell to the Earl of Essex in 1599, mostly due to advances in artillery.
But the castle witnessed many more events before and after this date (Viking and Norman invasions, for instance), which you will definitely have a chance to learn more about during the guided tours.
Due to its well-preserved medieval look, the castle was also used as a filming location for Excalibur, Barry Lyndon, and The Tudors.
Today, Cahir Castle is a National Monument of Ireland and one of the most popular tourist sites in Tipperary County.
Visiting the Cahir Castle
Exploring Kilkenny Castle and the Rock of Cashel took us more time than we expected, so we arrived at Cahir Castle just in the nick of time before the last admission.
We soon found out that the guided tours were not available at such a late hour, but we were still more than welcome to explore the castle's interiors and exteriors on our own.
Honestly, we were just happy that we made it there on time.
And after seeing three castles in a single day, we didn't mind this slight inconvenience.
After purchasing the ticket at the counter, we entered the inner ward of the castle complex and headed directly to the keep that dominates the complex.
Right from the start, we were surprised that we were given relatively plenty of freedom to explore the complex.
Another thing we noticed fairly quickly and really enjoyed was that the castle still keeps its medieval charm.
Even though it was renovated, it delivers a very authentic experience compared to many remodeled castles, such as Powerscourt.
And as it was the middle of the week, just before closing time, there were barely any people around.
We admired the Great Hall, which has a new modern roof, but you can still see the original remains on the keep's wall.
But the main attraction here is the old keep that dominates the complex.
The keep still has crenellations with gaps for the launch of projectiles, murder holes to pour hot liquids on the attackers, or rectangular defensive windows to shoot arrows.
One of the fascinating things we discovered about the murder holes at Cahir Castle was that Crusaders used them in the Middle East and brought them back to Europe.
And we had an opportunity to actually visit one of those sites, Qasr Azraq, a few years back in Jordan.
If you plan to visit Cahir Castle with your kids, the model of the Siege of Cahir is another fun and informative thing to see within the complex.
Also, don't miss the cannon balls stuck in the castle walls that are easily missed if you don't take a guided tour.
We mentioned the word authentic several times in this article, and it's time to explain what we meant.
Even today, Cahir Castle still looks like a fortress, especially from the outside. On top of that, the interiors are very basic, with not much decoration.
If you enjoy interiors such as those in Kilkenny Castle or Kylemore Abbey, then you might get disappointed. Cahir Castle is very basic.
However, we really appreciated this important detail that allowed us to get a feel of what life might have looked like in a medieval stronghold.
Town of Cahir
Cahir is one of those little Irish towns where there is not much to do unless you prefer slow travel.
After self-touring the castle, we still had enough time to enjoy the scenic views of the castle from different sides and then walked around the town for a while.
If you have more time in Cahir, you can walk to Swiss Cottage or discover the nearby Mitchelstown Cave.
There are also a few cafes, restaurants, and accommodations in Cahir.
Cahir Castle or Rock of Cashel
We believe both castles are worth visiting, as they offer a fairly different experience.
Cahir Castle offers a bit more traditional 'castle experience' while the Rock of Cashel holds more historical importance.
More importantly, if you don't take a tour, you may spend as little as half an hour at Rock of Cashel to walk around the castle grounds, so it's really easy to squeeze both into your itinerary.
Furthermore, both castles are just off the M8, which is super accessible.
We enjoyed Rock of Cashel a bit more, but that's just our personal taste.
How Much Time Do I Need
In general, allow yourself about an hour for Cahir Castle. The castle is not the largest in the world, but it can definitely keep you occupied for at least sixty minutes.
We spent about an hour in Cahir Castle.
However, it's easy to stay here a bit longer, especially if you take the guided tour.
Opening Hours
In the summer, from mid-June to August, Cahir Castle is open from 9 AM to 6:30 PM.
During the spring and autumn, the castle is open from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM (from March to mid-June and September to Mid-October).
In winter, from mid-October to February, the castle is open from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The castle is usually closed between 24th and 30th December.
The last admission is 45 minutes before closing.
Always make sure to check the opening hours before you go to avoid disappointment.
Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to Cahir Castle is €5 per adult, free guided tour is included.
As usual, you can reserve your tickets in advance through the official website.
As the tickets are fairly cheap, Cahir Castle is just another fantastic place you can visit when traveling around Ireland on a budget.
When to Go
Cahir Castle can be visited any time of the year. Although there is no best time to visit Cahir Castle, there are months more suitable for road-tripping Ireland.
Here you can read our guide on when to visit Ireland to find more information on this topic before you go.
Not surprisingly, one of the best times of the year to see the castle is during the summer.
The weather conditions are perfect for traveling during this period; just be prepared that popular sites get busy.
Winters are perfect for escaping the crowds; just remember that the days are short, wet, and cold.
We visited the castle in the spring, which was also a fantastic period for road-tripping the Emerald Isle.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
How to Get There
There are several ways to get to Cahir Castle. We rented a car in Ireland because we wanted to drive around the entire island.
The castle is situated just off the M8, one of the main highways in Ireland that connects Dublin with County Cork.
When driving directly there, you will avoid the rural roads, meaning this trip is doable for most drivers, even those who are not that confident to drive in a foreign country.
For more information, read more about driving in Ireland.
However, you can also use public transport to get to Cahir Castle. Keep in mind that getting around Ireland by public transport is not for everyone, though, as you will miss a lot of stops along the way.
When going on a road trip, we use Rentalcars.com.
Car
Cahir Castle is about 180 kilometers southwest of Dublin, and the journey takes about two hours via M7 and M8.
When driving from Dublin, make sure to include also Kilkenny and Glendalough Monastic Site in your itinerary.
Obviously, you will need a full day for this trip, and even maybe two if you want to hike in the Wicklow Mountains.
Cork is 80 kilometers southwest of Cahir, and it takes about an hour to get there via M8.
Alternatively, you can take N24 from Limerick, and the 60-kilometer drive shouldn't take you more than an hour.
Parking
When visiting Cahir, we used the Castle parking, located about fifty meters from the entrance just across the river.
There is metered parking, so how much you pay depends on how much time you spend there.
Train
You can take a train from Dublin Heuston Station to Cahir. Don't forget that you need to change trains at Limerick Junction, though.
Similarly, you can take a train to Cahir from Cork, but you also must change trains at Limerick Junction.
At this point, it's pretty obvious that you can also take a train to Cahir from Limerick. And yes, you already know the drill once you reach Limerick Junction.
Bus
245X route connects Dublin with Cork, and the bus also stops at Cahir (and the Rock of Cashel).
There are only four services a day, making the planning part a bit more challenging.
Tour
Alternatively, you may consider taking a guided tour in order to see Cahir Castle.
As we've mentioned earlier, you only need about an hour to explore Cahir Castle. As the visit is relatively brief for a day trip, most tours have other top castles in this area on their itinerary.
This popular Cahir Castle Tour from Dublin also includes the famous Blarney Castle and the iconic Rock of Cashel.
Where to Stay
Cahir is a tiny town with even fewer accommodations than nearby Cashel. However, both towns are a great alternative to large cities such as Cork, Dublin, or Limerick.
Obviously, large cities have the best selection of hotels for every budget. For a more peaceful experience, you can find plenty of small B&Bs along the way.
Here we hand-selected the best hotels you can find in the area near Cahir.
Cahir | Cahir House Hotel - Located on the town square, Cahir House is a great alternative to accommodations in Cashel. The hotel has a fantastic location near the Cahir Castle, clean rooms, friendly staff, and a traditional restaurant.
Cashel | Baileys Hotel Cashel - Situated in a Georgian building in the heart of Cashel, Baileys is a great place to stay overnight when visiting the castle. The hotel features cozy rooms, free private parking, and an on-site restaurant.
Cork | Imperial Hotel Cork City - Situated in the city center, this hotel has a great location for exploring the city and the wider area of Cork. The rooms are spacious, with comfortable beds and beautiful decor. The hotel also has a bar, cafe, and a couple of restaurants. Simply put, this is one of the most popular hotels in Cork.
Is Cahir Castle Worth Visiting?
If you like history, traditional castles, and quaint towns, Cahir Castle is definitely worth seeing.
If you're driving from Dublin to Cork, making a stop at Cahir Castle is a great idea.
One of the best things about the Irish castles, whether it was Donegal Castle or Blarney Castle, was that they all provided a bit different experience.
And Cahir Castle is no exception.
The castle still retains its medieval spirit, and the knowledgeable local guides will bring you back in time.
Cahir really is one of the most interesting castles in Ireland you can visit, even when short on time.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
