3. Dunluce Castle
If castle mystery is more your speed then the coastal Dunluce Castle in Northern Ireland should top your list. The medieval castle sits on a clifftop along the remote northern coast. The ruins on the site are said to be haunted by the ghost of a woman who died there, and there are mythical tales about fairies and fierce battles that took place on the site.
The Dunluce Castle was built as a family home in the 1500s and served as the inspiration for author C.S. Lewis, who used it to create his Cair Paravel castle in The Chronicles of Narnia.
The site is now under the guardianship of the Northern Irish Environment Agency. These are great ruins to explore, but a stop at the information center for some history and information before you set out will help in your understanding of the site.
4. Bunratty Castle
The Bunratty Castle is one of the best castles for bringing the medieval times to life. The castle was once part of a Viking trading camp in 970. It has been beautifully restored to its mostly original condition and houses one of the most extensive collections of medieval furniture in Ireland.
There is a Folk Park on the grounds, which is a 19th-century living village, with 30 buildings that imitate what life in Ireland was like in the 1800s. The village is nice, especially for children, who can wander through the recreated farmhouses and village streets and buildings with a backdrop of Irish music.
One of the most engaging experience at the Bunratty Castle is the medieval banquet that you can take part in for an evening of indulgent food, dance, and music inside the castle. You can stay at the Bunratty Castle Hotel if you want to make several days out of your visit to the area.
