Shankill Castle, Medieval castle and heritage site in County Kilkenny, Ireland.
Shankill Castle is a fortified residence in County Kilkenny featuring Georgian staircases, Gothic plasterwork, and Victorian rooms throughout its interior. The estate sits within formal gardens arranged with lime tree avenues and laurel lawns.
Construction began as a Butler tower-house, then Peter Aylward purchased the property in 1708 and rebuilt it into a castellated residence with formal landscaping. This 18th-century redesign created the structure visitors see today.
The castle functions as both a private home and exhibition space, with works by Elizabeth Cope displayed throughout its rooms for visitors to encounter during their visit.
The grounds are accessible Thursday through Sunday from late morning until early evening, with guided tours available of the main building. Plan your visit around these scheduled days and hours.
The garden holds three trees registered in Ireland's Tree Register, including a Giant Sequoia and two Monterey Cypress specimens. These rare plantings make the grounds botanically noteworthy.
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