Dunsany Castle and Demesne, Medieval castle and national monument in County Meath, Ireland.
Dunsany Castle stands as a well-preserved Anglo-Norman fortress surrounded by extensive demesne lands featuring woodlands, marshes, and historic farm buildings that have been continuously occupied for over eight centuries.
Originally constructed around 1180-1181 under Hugh de Lacy, the castle has remained in the same family lineage through the Cusacks and Plunketts, representing one of Ireland's longest continuously inhabited residences.
The estate includes the 15th-century Church of St. Nicholas, a national monument containing family tombs, and has hosted notable cultural events including fashion shows and film productions like Braveheart.
Guided tours are available from May through September with adult tickets priced at €25, offering access to the castle's interior chambers, grand hall, and educational rewilding experiences within the demesne.
The current owner Randal Plunkett actively implements rewilding conservation efforts across the estate, creating diverse wildlife habitats while maintaining the castle's role as a working historical residence.
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