Drimnagh Castle

About the museum

Drimnagh Castle is a Norman-era castle in south Dublin that its website describes as the only remaining moated castle in Ireland. It was built by the de Berneval family, later known as Barnewall, who received lands at Drimnagh and Terenure from King John in the early thirteenth century and lived in the castle for about 400 years. In 1607 it was sold to Sir Adam Loftus, and over the following centuries it passed through a series of owners and tenants.

In 1904 the castle was bought by the Dublin dairyman and councillor Joseph Hatch, who used the lands for grazing and restored the castle as a summer retreat for his family. In the 1950s the castle left the Hatch family, and the Christian Brothers lived there while a new school was built nearby, which was completed in 1958. The castle then stood empty for almost thirty years and fell into disrepair.

A restoration began in 1986 with more than 200 workers, including a new oak roof built in the courtyard and raised onto the building. It was finished in 1991 and opened by President Mary Robinson. Today the castle is a heritage site, and visitors can see the medieval rooms, the undercroft, the spiral staircase and the restored parterre garden.

Highlights

• Moated Norman castle restored between 1986 and 1991
• Guided tours through the undercroft and the upper floors
• Spiral staircase and defensive features of the medieval building
• Formal parterre herb garden and a hornbeam alley
• Used as a filming location for several films and series

Permanent exhibition

• Castle and Parterre Garden – The restored medieval castle with its undercroft, spiral staircase and upper floors, and a formal parterre garden of box hedging and herbs with a hornbeam alley.

Admission & discounts

Payment is possible by cash or card in euro.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The tour includes the undercroft, a spiral staircase and the upper floors of a medieval building. No accessibility information is published on the website.

Kids & families

The castle receives school visits; no other family programme is published.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

The Great Hall and grounds can be hired for presentations, lectures, product launches, photo shoots and filming at an hourly rate of €200.

Plan your visit