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Ireland
Province of Munster
County Kerry
Castlecove
Things to do in Castlecove
Staigue Fort

Staigue Fort, Castlecove

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Staigue Fort

See all things to do
See all things to do
Staigue Fort
4.5
314
#1 of 2 things to do in Castlecove
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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4.5
314 reviews
Excellent
147
Very good
130
Average
30
Poor
5
Terrible
2
Lkeating01
97 contributions
Worth a visit off the beaten track but well worth making the effort amazing place even in the rain, dogs loved it too
Sep 2020 • Family
Well off the beaten track but so worth it! Amazing place even in the rain! worth making the effort amazing place even in the rain, dogs loved it too
Written 19 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
igal27
Rehovot, Israel4,969 contributions
Very nice ring fort off the beaten path
Sep 2019
This was our first stop along the Ring of Kerry Route (clockwise from Kenmare), and we were not disappointed. After a little detour off the main road through small country roads, you reach the desolate ruins of this old stone fort, surrounded by lush greenery. The kids very much enjoyed climbing up on the inside of the fort, and entering the small crawlspaces. Definitely worth a stop on the way around the Ring of Kerry.
Written 19 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Samiya7
Hollywood, FL998 contributions
Do Not Waste Your Time
May 2019
This fort is not a fort and is way off the beaten path about a 3 mile drive up the hill on a narrow windy one lane road - so narrow that sometimes you have to back all the way up to let another car pass. It is a chieftan’s home and is basically a circle of rocks. There is a box to put a one euro trespass fee.
Written 9 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Julie L
Melbourne, Australia1,376 contributions
Ruined ringfort near Sneem
Oct 2019 • Couples
This defensive fort is thought to have been built for a local lord or king around 300 or 400AD. It is impressive to see the stones, without the benefit of mortar, still in place in the overall structure of the forbidding walls. The circular fort is surrounded by a ditch. However, I suggest a better example is the exhilarating Grianan of Aileach in County Donegal.
Written 23 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mary Anne C
Alberta, Canada262 contributions
View Across Kenmare Bay
Jun 2019
It is quite amazing to think of this ring fort containing houses, outbuildings, tents and other outbuildings; people going about their daily lives.If the fort walls could talk.
Written 15 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hatfia
Melbourne, Australia326 contributions
An amazing construction
Sep 2019
Probably built in the early centuries AD, this is an amazing structure - up to 6m in height and 4m thick and built entirely without mortar. And with great views of the surrounding countryside and sea from the top. Quiet when we there. Entry is by donation (on private land) - well worth a visit.
Written 31 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Archaeobuff
Sydney, Australia1,730 contributions
Another ring fort but worth a visit.
Sep 2019
This ring fort is not restored and all the more interesting for that. It is quite large. 2500 years old. Open 24/7, Toilet. 1e. A long drive up a narrow lane. Once you reach the end of the road there is a carpark. The Fort is built at the head of a valley with great views. The walls are of dry-stone construction. There are signs around the fort asking visitors not to climb the wall tops, but sadly these are being ignored.
Written 19 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AuntyKathkleen1
Alice Springs16 contributions
Round the ring fort
Sep 2019 • Couples
After a few kms on a one sided road, we made it. An astonishing site. A perfect ring fort, maybe 90ft across with a beautiful bed of soft green grass in the middle to enjoy either lying down, standing on bare feet or just enjoying the energy of this place. You can scale the wall in different parts and walk along the top, taking in the spectacular views of the Atlantic to the west or the beautiful rugged heather filled countryside all around u. It was nice and quiet with a few other tourists enjoying the peace. Entry is free, but there is a donation box near the gate, definitely worth a couple of euro, if u have it. If not its there to be enjoyed.
Written 13 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Julie G
Raleigh, NC71 contributions
Interesting stop
Jul 2019
We stopped here at the end of a day. It was a short drive off the highway. You pay a small fee (the fort is on a farmer’s land) and go through a gate. The fort is Iron Age (I think!) and yet still in good condition. You can go inside it, and if you have good balance you can walk around on the walls. I’m a lady of a certain age and I managed it, though I was careful. It was pretty interesting to imagine how people must have lived. The spot where this fort is located—a sunny meadow with sheep, wildflowers, and colorful Irish birds—is worth it in itself. It’s not a museum; you can see and enjoy the whole thing in about a half hour, but it’s worth it.
Written 11 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Michael G
Bli Bli, Australia398 contributions
Definitely worth seeing
Jul 2019 • Couples
This is an old fort thought to have been built in 300 to 400 A.D. for a lord or Chieftain. The condition of the fort is excellent and entry is only one euro per person. You can walk through the narrow entry into the courtyard and there are some small rooms within the wall which is 4 m thick and 6 m high surrounding a perimeter of 30m. The walls were built completely without mortar. You can also walk on top of the walls for the whole Of their length.
There is an information plaque outside which shows a diagram of how it must’ve looked in the original form and explains the history.
There are clean toilets nearby.

This is certainly a worthwhile piece of history to see and experience.
Written 22 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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