We had a visit today with family while we were passing this way. One among the contact (forgot to get the name!) in the office was really helpful and provided detailed background about the castle and history. It was insightful for kids and our family. Nice place to visit and get to know the history of around 800 years old!

Adare Castle represents a medieval fortified castle in Ireland. It was strategically located on the banks of the River Meig, from where its lords could control any traffic heading to or from the Shannon Estuary. The castle was built for strength and security. Its core is a huge square fortress; the fortress is located inside a walled chamber surrounded by a moat. Adare Castle changed hands several times before becoming a key bastion for the Earls of Desmond in the sixteenth century. However, during the Second Desmond Rebellion it fell to the English after a bloody siege. Cromwell's troops destroyed the building in 1657, although restorers have since helped restore it to its former glory. To get there you need to book tickets at the heritage center and you will be taken by bus from the heritage center. It was a fantastic opportunity to enter the castle with a guide who opened the main gate of the large castle. It was a small group and it was great to hear all the stories from a knowledgeable guide. My favorite story is about a man who was imprisoned there for 17 years and no one knew about it. He survived his entire 17 years by eating rats. We had the opportunity to walk and go to the metro.

Been to Adare several times but never visited inside the castle. Tour guide was fantastic (apologies can’t remember his name) really knowledgeable and very engaging, with superb facts and great sense of humour. Absolutely fantastic tour loved the castle so magical and well preserved. Even engaged my 16yr old who said it was one of the best places he’d visited.

We spent the day in Adare and decided to visit the castle. It was also included on our OPW Heritage Card. We were able to get a fascinating guided tour, engaging, and interesting. There are enough of the castle ruins remaining to appreciate the size and grandeur and visualize life as it was.