Ross Castle
Fifteenth-century tower house on the shore of Lough Leane near Killarney, visited on guided tours of its furnished interior.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Ross Castle stands on an inlet of Lough Leane, close to Killarney. It was probably built in the fifteenth century by the Irish chieftain O’Donoghue Mór. According to local legend, O’Donoghue still sleeps beneath the lake and rises on a white horse on the first morning of May every seventh year, bringing good fortune to anyone who sees him.
The castle was the last place in Munster to hold out against Cromwell. Its defenders, led by Lord Muskerry, believed an old prophecy that the castle could only be taken by a ship. The Cromwellian commander, General Ludlow, had a large boat launched on the lake, and when the defenders saw it they surrendered, so the prophecy came true.
Today Ross Castle is run by the Office of Public Works. The interior, with furnished rooms, can only be seen on a guided tour, and there is an exhibition about the castle and its surroundings. The grounds are part of the lakeside parkland, with walking and cycling trails.
Highlights
- Fifteenth-century tower house on Lough Leane
- Guided tours of the furnished interior
- Last Munster stronghold to fall to Cromwell
- Legend of O’Donoghue and the white horse
- Lakeside setting with walking and cycling trails
Permanent exhibition
- Ross Castle guided tour and exhibition – A guided tour of the furnished tower house with an interpretive exhibition on its history.
- Operated by
- Office of Public Works (Heritage Ireland)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4Group and senior |
| Children & teens | €3Child or student. |
| Seniors | €4 |
| Students & apprentices | €3 |
| Groups | €4 per person |
| Families | €13 |
The site is part of the Heritage Ireland network run by the Office of Public Works.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- 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 site lists challenging access for visitors with mobility issues because of a very steep incline, but it also carries a wheelchair-accessible symbol. There are toilets at the castle, managed by the National Park, with one accessible toilet. The walkways are uneven, and dogs are allowed on a lead.
Kids & families
| Family ticket | €13 |
|---|
A child ticket and a family ticket are available.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
A car park is available at the site.
The castle is 2 km from Killarney, off the N71 Kenmare road.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Toilets are provided by Killarney National Park.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Access to the interior is by guided tour only, on a first come, first served basis, with a maximum of 15 people per tour. The site is very busy in summer and visitors may have to wait. A social guide in PDF form helps first-time visitors and people with developmental or learning disabilities prepare. |
