94 Iconic Buildings to Explore in Leinster

Grennan castle was built in the 13th century by the Anglo-Norman, Thomas FitzAnthony. The twenty metre long rectangular castle stands on the west bank of the River Nore. The ruin was in relatively good condition up until the early 19th century, since then the courtyard walls and outer buildings have been destroyed. The first floor of the castle contained the great hall, and the second floor reached by a flight of steps in the east wall contained the dormitory area.

This is the ancient seat of the Esmonde family is today one of Irelands historical treasures. The original tower house, which served as a garrison, was built in the 15th century as a stronghold for the Caviness family, an old Irish clan. It is now a private house open to the public for guided tours throughout June, July, August and September.

The Jealous Wall was built c. 1760 as a result of a quarrel between Robert Rochfort and another brother George, the owner of nearby Rochfort House , now, alas a melancholy ruin. The Wall was built between the two houses as an artificial ruin of an abbey so as to exclude from Robert’s view the sight of his brother’s residence of which he was jealous.

Jigginstown Castle is a ruined 17th-century house and National Monument near Naas, County Kildare, Ireland. It was constructed in the late 1630s when Ireland was under the reign of Charles I. At the time it was one of the largest buildings in Ireland, and the first to be constructed of red brick: the plans provided for a pavement and columns of Kilkenny marble.

A majestic gothic castle located in County Wexford, Ireland covering 150 acre. It has 4 storeys. Interior goods include the "Apostles' Hall", with wood carvings of saints, as well as oil paintings, carved oak hall benches, mahogany billiard tables, dressing tables, upholstered sofas, fire grates and brass fenders. The former stable yard houses the Irish Agricultural Museum.

This Augustinian priory is situated on the bank of the King’s river, 0.5km to the east of the present village of Kells and 12km south of Kilkenny city. The priory was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the canons were granted a site near a pre-Norman ecclesiastical site dedicated to St Kieran. The priory is a National Monument and is in the guardianship of the Office of Public Works. One of its most striking features is a collection of medieval tower houses.

Kells Round Tower is a round tower in Kells, County Meath in Ireland. The tower, and the high crosses nearby, are National Monuments.This 26 metre high round tower draws you toward the site of a monastery founded in the early part of the 9th century by Irish monks from Iona in Scotland.

Kildare Castle is a ruined castle located at Kildare in County Kildare, Ireland. Built in the 12th century as a motte and bailey castle by Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke. The remains of a tower are the only above ground remains of the castle. This elegant and spacious Irish Castle is ideal for family gatherings, private weddings, civil partnerships and corporate events. The 11-bedroom castle also has a Drawing Room, Restaurant and of course its very own Castle Bar for you to enjoy.

Kilkenny Castle is located in Kilkenny City at a strategic location that commands a crossing on the River Nore. The site had previously been the chief residence of the local Gaelic Kings of Osraige before the Norman invasion. It was a symbol of Norman occupation and in its original thirteenth-century condition it would have formed an important element of the defences of the town with four large circular corner towers and a massive ditch, part of which can still be seen today on the Parade.

This beautiful Kilkenny Castle Parkland boasts both formal and informal gardens. Set in Kilkenny City, the estate overlooks the Nore River and includes mature trees and shrubs as well as an ornamental lake. It includes all the walled demesne parkland to the south of Kilkenny Castle and the formal terraced gardens to the north comprising a total of 50 acres. Today it is open to visitors all year round and is largely a Victorian remodelling of the thirteenth century defensive Castle.

Killeen Castle is one of only two Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses in Ireland. The course measures over 7,700 yards from the back tees. The substantial investment in the drainage at the time of construction has given a course that is payable 365 days a year. Killeen Castle Golf Club offers the ultimate championship golfing experience.

Killruddery House is a large country house on the southern outskirts of Bray in County Wicklow, Ireland, approximately 20 km south of Dublin. The present structure is a south facing multi-bay mansion, originally dating from the 17th century, but remodelled and extended in 1820 in the Elizabethan style. It is constructed as variously single, two, three and four storeys in the shape of an irregular quadrangle enclosing a courtyard.

The ancestral home of the Chapman Family who were granted the lands around Killua in 1667 as payment for services during the Cromwellian invasion of Ireland. The present house was built in about 1780 by Sir Benjamin Chapman and consisted of a hall, dining room, oval drawing room, breakfast parlour and front and back stairs. There was also a stable yard, barn and haggard.

A majestic castle which was located on the southern shores of Carlingford Lough. It consists of an enclosed courtyard with two rectangular towers at the entrance and two-storey buildings within. The eastern half of the castle was added in 1261 ad and included a number of rooms and probably a great hall.

The round tower of Lusk was already built in the 9th century and offered protection to the monastery complex during the numerous Viking raids in this area. The medieval builders made every effort to merge their new tower and the round tower into one unit. The nave, which adjoins the bell tower, was not built until the middle of the 19th century.

Magdalene Tower is a landmark located at the highest point of the northern part of Drogheda, County Louth, in Ireland. The tower itself is of 14th-century construction. It springs from a fine Gothic Arch, above which there are two further storeys connected by a spiral staircase.

This 16th century tower house stands on Maudlin Street, was part of a leper hospital that may have existed here as early as the 12th century. The four storey tower house is 25 metres high with a stair turret on the south side. The hospital also served as a "retirement home" for rich families like the Rothes, Langtons and Shees. Archaeological digs on the street indicate a diet of beef, mutton, bacon and wildfowl.

This majestic stone castle was founded in the early thirteenth century. The castle was built at the junction of two streams and became the home of the Fitzgerald family before its expansion by Sir John Fitzgerald in the 15th century. It became the seat of power for the FitzGeralds, the earls of Kildare, as they emerged as one of the most powerful families in Ireland. Now a main attraction in this area and attracts a lot of tourists to this history.

Mortimer's Castle is a castle and National Monument located in County Westmeath, Ireland. A large Anglo-Norman castle stood on the site, 52 m × 125 m in dimensions. The remains of a two-storey stone tower are in the northwest corner. It is located on the east bank of Lough Derravaragh, 4.4 km southwest of Castlepollard.

This is a ruined castle located near the village of Moydrum not far from the town of Athlone in County Westmeath. Built around the 1810s by architect Richard Morrisson, the building is a fine example of Gothic and Renaissance style. An iconic location for a short visit and there are so many things to see and do in and around this castle.