Rathfarnham Castle

Rathfarnham Castle is a fortified residence in Rathfarnham featuring a square stone body that rises four stories with projecting corner towers. The thick walls contain vaulted rooms on the ground level, creating a defensive structure designed for both protection and domestic living.

Archbishop Adam Loftus built this fortified residence in 1583 on land taken from the Eustace family during the Elizabethan period. The construction marked English expansion of control over Irish territories at that time.

The interior displays family portraits painted by known artists spanning centuries of residence. These works reveal the tastes and connections of the families who called this place home.

The grounds are accessible on foot via marked pathways, allowing visitors to explore the exterior and surrounding gardens at their own pace. Wear comfortable shoes as the interior involves stairs and uneven surfaces.

The structure contains a seismograph from its period under Jesuit ownership, when it functioned as an earthquake monitoring station. This unusual feature reveals how the property served scientific purposes during the 1700s.

Location: Rathfarnham

Inception: 1583

Email: rathfarnhamcastle@opw.ie

Website: http://rathfarnhamcastle.ie

GPS coordinates: 53.29810,-6.28361

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:44