Benbradagh Mountain and Dungiven Castle in Derry, Ireland
Castle O'Brien and ancient stonewalls, Inisheer, Ireland
a cow in front of Ballycarbery Castle in Cahersiveen, Ireland
Castle Dunluce, Northern Ireland
Milky Way visible over Doe Castle, Donegal, Ireland
Castle Coole in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland
Cahir Castle in County Tipperary, Ireland
Bunratty Castle in County Clare, Ireland
a tourist kissing the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle, Ireland
giant telescope at Birr Castle in County Offaly, Ireland
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Dungiven Castle, County Derry, Northern Ireland

The original ancestral home of the O'Cahan Clan, Dungiven Castle is now a boutique hotel popular with wedding couples. Tucked at the foot of Benbradagh Mountain, the castle makes a good home base for exploring Northern Ireland.

Castles—in various states of repair—dot the countryside of the Irish Isles. Some remain private homes, some are open to the public, and some are mere ruins of what they once were. But all are worth a visit, located in some of Ireland's most breathtaking locations.

Photograph by Christopher Hill, National Geographic

Ireland's Castles

Castles dot the countryside of the Irish Isles. Some remain private homes, some are open to the public, and some are mere ruins of what they once were.

August 15, 2014

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