Athenry Castle
An emblem of Norman lordship
Site Closed
Closed for the season from 05 November 2020.
Admission
Adult: €5.00
Group/Senior: €4.00
Child/Student: €3.00
Family: €13.00
Free Admission until 31/12/2020
Athenry Castle
Guarding a strategic ford on the Clarinbridge River is the monumental bulk of Athenry Castle. The imposing three-storey hall-keep survives from the mid-thirteenth century. It is solidly impressive from the outside, although the interior was simply built, containing only a hall at first-floor level and dark storerooms below.
Despite the simplicity of the layout, fine carvings bear witness to the hall’s eminence. The doorway and two of the window openings are decorated with floral motifs in the remarkable local School of the West style. The battlements, through whose tall arrow-loops the castle was defended against various attackers across the centuries, are original.
Visitors come to Athenry Castle to soak up the authentic atmosphere of medieval power that the mighty fortress still exudes.
Highlights

Gallery
Opening Times
Thursday – Monday Inclusive 10:00 – 17:00
Last admission 30 minutes before closing.
Average Length of Visit: 1 Hour.
Seasonal Opening Times
- 26 March – 30 September
Thursday – Monday Inclusive
10:00 – 17:00
- 1 October – 4 November
Thursday – Monday Inclusive
10.00 – 17.00
Notice
SITE MAY CLOSE FOR LUNCH, SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF GUIDES
OPEN: GROUNDS AND BASEMENT ONLY, MAXIMUM VISITORS- 40 ON SITE, 10 IN BASEMENT.
SOCIAL DISTANCING ADHERED TO THROUGHOUT THE SITE WITH SEPARATE EXIT/ENTRANCE
NO PUBLIC TOILETS ON SITE
Contact
Athenry
Co. Galway
H65 WP93
091 844797
athenrycastle@opw.ie
Facilities
- Audio Description
- Brochure
- Car park
- Guided tours
- Picnic Area
- Playground
Restrictions
- Hold hand rail
- Limited Access
- No toilet facilities
- Open: Grounds and Basement only
- Uneven walkways
Nearby sites to visit
Athenry Castle
Aughnanure Castle
A historical gem in the heart of Connemara
Approx. 37.6 km from Athenry Castle
Portumna Castle and Gardens
Seventeenth-century splendour on the shores of Lough Derg
Approx. 42.2 km from Athenry Castle
Clonmacnoise
A spectacular monastery on the banks of the river Shannon
Approx. 50.5 km from Athenry Castle
Social Guide
Download, print and read our social guide (PDF) about visiting Athenry Castle. This will help first-time visitors, families and people with developmental and learning disabilities to prepare for a visit to Athenry Castle.
Download the Social Guide