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Charleville Castle
Charleville Castle
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until further notice
About
Charleville Castle, the Masterpiece of Francis Johnston, once derelict, vacant, closed-off and decaying, has been rescued from near ruin by volunteers of the Charleville Castle Community. Built originally as a dramatic Power Center in the Midlands - a most important Irish symbol of the Union with Great Britain 1801 - it is a project of the Peace Process - authenticate, intact and "of the people". The long avenue to the forecourt is now fully open - some areas require supervised access or guides [set donation] - Volunteers rotate on duty 24/7 - 365 days a year - sharing actively with the public. It is famous for its ghosts stories and unique architecture - it is not a state-funded project and depends entirely on volunteers and supporters - the local community and many thousands more openly express love and support for the Castle. Come visit - we hope you will get a real feeling of what it is to keep a big Castle like this alive - hopefully your visit can be enhanced by a guided tour.
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4.5
266 reviews
Excellent
171
Very good
58
Average
18
Poor
9
Terrible
10
Dry Arch I
2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Wanted to visit this Castle today, signs on the gate saying open for tours every hour and to wait at the gate for a guide, waited 40mins to be told there's no access because of a wedding and that he hadn't time to change the sign, an a4 piece of paper that he walked past again.
Written 11 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa V
Perth, UK22 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We landed here completely by accident and were blown away by the intimate tour, conducted by the lady of the house, who, along with her family, manage, repair and raise funds for the castle. It was really interesting to hear how difficult it is to maintain this beautiful place. The tour was of the main floor (the family lives above) and included a stunning ball room and sitting room, entrance hall and library.
The castle is fantastic architecturally, but the human element was really fascinating also. Would definitely recommend to anyone passing through tullamore
The castle is fantastic architecturally, but the human element was really fascinating also. Would definitely recommend to anyone passing through tullamore
Written 8 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mariameeuwsen
Charlotte, NC3 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Wonderful wonderful tour!! Ramon was a great tour guide and knowledgeable on the property! This is the most beautiful castle we have seen. The detail is unbelievable. We didn’t see Harriet but we did have some mist spots on a couple of our pictures. From our daughters camera! Enjoy!! Well worth going!! Tours start at 11am, travel down the driveway.
Written 4 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlotte M
2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Beautiful old castle with a very sad history. Haunted, too! The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and totally volunteer.
Written 21 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jamman1701
County Laois, Ireland47 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
Had an amazing historical tour of Charleville Castle today. Samantha Kelly is an amazing hostess and guide, she is full of knowledge, wonderful sense of humour and a genuine love and care for Charleville Castle.
Written 25 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melanie L
Ontario, Canada8 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
The forest walk to Charleville Castle is absolutely enchanting with lush greenery, forest paths, fairy doors, and a narrow concrete road. It is an easy walk to Charleville - about 15 minutes to walk there from the road. While walking this road, you pass the King Oak (an oak tree that is hundreds of years old). There is a fairy mound in one of the fields also. Local volunteers are restoring the castle and the grand stair case and great room beyond are almost done. We were able to see the grand staircase and the grand room beyond for a night of local talent of singing, dancing, playing traditional Irish instruments, and story telling.The interior is beautiful. The grounds are astonishing. If you enjoy newer castles and old forests, you will love Charleville. Highly recommend this site.
Written 13 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rourked
dublin76 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Saving the five star review for when we get into the castle.
Beautiful walk up to the gates of the castle- some fairy doors scattered around. Upon arrival the view of the castle is breathtaking.
Beautiful walk up to the gates of the castle- some fairy doors scattered around. Upon arrival the view of the castle is breathtaking.
Written 7 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grace B
Dublin, Ireland15 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
We were away for the weekend staying nearby and came across the castle from a Google search and so lucky we did. We arrive at 2pm and a lovely volunteer at the door named Roman (from France) welcomed us in for a tour (there is a donation to be made as its a voluntary run project) to note they do not have a card machine and we only had credit cards no cash so we drove down to the town to get an ATM and were back for the 3pm tour. The castle is beautiful and its history and stories provided by Roman were so interesting and captivating. The rooms within the castle were just out of this world. Thoroughly enjoyed and will definetly be back. Well done Roman for delivering such a great and informative tour for us. Thank you
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you from all the volunteers and thank you Romain... the card machine is fixed - most sorry about that
Written 9 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Din B
1 contribution
Feb 2020
One of the most beautiful castles in Ireland! Tour was provided by two volunteer french girls! We visited almost all rooms, was very interesting! Highly recommended for visit!
Written 4 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
From all the volunteers at Charleville Castle - Thank you - safe route
I hope the French Guides were live volunteers not "floating" residents???
Written 5 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Keristy & Skylar
1 contribution
Mar 2020 • Family
My partner and I made an unexpected stop to Charleville castle, rang the doorbell hoping to see inside and these two lovely ladies let us in and gave us a guided tour throughout the castle. We had many laughs and heard very many tales about the history of the family and the rooms that were available to the public. They had great knowledge about the history of the surrounding areas as well which we greatly appreciated! Sam and Nadine were so warm and welcoming to us to the point where we felt as though we were speaking to our friends not just a "regular tour guide with no emotion" both myself and my partner would absolutely recommend going to visit this magical place! Prior to going to Charleville Castle we visited another location, the staff there had no idea about the history but Sam and Nadine did. They told us stories of not just the one they worked at but others I would go back just to pick their brains more!!! Thank you so much ladies for all your work and obvious love of where you are.
Written 3 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What a smashing review.... Sam and Nadine ... you were migty lucky
It would be great if all visitors could be so lucky
But I guess that is the mystery of the castle - when to come?
How to be so lucky...
Safe travels
Written 4 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Greetings. Will be traveling to Ireland in October and Charleville Castle is one of our points of interest. Would like more information about the times for guided tours? Kind regards.
Miranda C
5 contributions
You should definitely call them. I think their tour times vary by day since they’re operated by volunteers. We just dropped by in the afternoon and happened to arrive in time for a tour, but it was a gamble. They post the times outside the front door.
How much is it for one adult to go into charleville castle x
Charleville C
Tullamore, Ireland9 contributions
The minimum for a tour which includes two is €20 - otherwise it is €8pp
hazelpauline
Wicklow, Ireland3 contributions
Called there today but was closed . Would you do a tour for 8-10 in our family . Regards
Pauline
Charleville C
Tullamore, Ireland9 contributions
There are always people on duty at the castle --- but there are times when other urgent work (roof etc) distracts from tours. Please be patient . do honk your horn .. gently...Thank you in advance
Markpendergast
London, UK
Hi- hope you’re well- can you please let me know if it’s possible to stay overnight at Charleville Castle?- thanks- Mark
Gizmo123456789
8 contributions
Only just saw your question sorry for delay,it is not possible to stay overnight
Patricia P
Niceville
How do I get a tour and is it open the week of November 11-15?
Dudley S
2 contributions
Hi
Yes we are open all year by prior appointment, including November 11 to 15. You can make arrangements by email which you can find on our website. Please remember we are a an organisation made up by volunteers so advance notice is important. We look forward to seeing you here at Charleville Castle.
Regards
Dudley Stewart
Advntr_Junkee
Riverside, CA12 contributions
Is this castle open year round?
Dudley S
2 contributions
Hi Yes the castle is open, by appointment, year round. From Arch to September it is open to "drop-in" tours from Midday to 5.30 pm.
We look forward to your visit
Regards Volunteer in Charge
Hi, how can I make reservations to stay a night at the Charleville Castle?
Charleville C
Tullamore, Ireland9 contributions
Hi Sharon,.
Charleville Castle has been saved from ruin by the volunteers of Charleville Castle Heritage Trust. It is now a protected Grade 1 Historical Building and Work In Progress. Fire Regulations allow stay overs in the castle for the Night Watch and such - to AAA Approved Volunteers who are trained. From time to time AAA Approved Volunteers ask to stay over under the supervision of the Night Watch.
So to answer your question - you can stay over in the castle with permission of the Duty Officer and Board of Trustees Approval if you become an AAA Approved Volunteer. Fortunately we never have enough volunteers so we invite you to become a member and train to be an AAA Approved Volunteer - see our website.
Welcome on board already
Duty officer
Charleville Castle
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Frequently Asked Questions about Charleville Castle
- Hotels near Charleville Castle:
- (2.21 km) Tullamore Court Hotel
- (2.27 km) Bridge House Hotel, Spa and Leisure Club
- (1.97 km) Central Hotel Tullamore
- (5.30 km) Grennan's Country House
- (2.37 km) Sea Dew Guesthouse
- Restaurants near Charleville Castle:
- (2.18 km) Captain House Restaurant
- (2.58 km) The Blue Apron Restaurant
- (2.14 km) Shishir - Thai & Indian Cuisine
- (2.33 km) Siroccos
- (2.14 km) Pizzeria Del Capitano