Listowel Castle is one of the most massive castles in County Kerry. Built on a hillside in the very center of the town of Listowel (Kerry’s capital), the castle rises to a height of no less than 15 meters, offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside and the River Feale, which flows below the fort.
Listowel is 15km from Ballybunion, and it won’t be hard to find Listowel Castle in the town center. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll have access to a Visitor Centre, where you’ll be introduced to the history of the castle through a small exhibition…
You’ll learn that a fortress was once built on the site of today’s château. This first fort was built in the 13th century, then destroyed in the 15th century by the FitzMaurices, in order to build a new castle, much larger and higher than the first.
And Listowel Castle is high! At 15 meters high, it consists of 2 large, square, 4-storey towers, topped by fords, which at the time were used to keep an eye out for would-be attackers. Each of the castle’s towers is then linked by an imposing, very wide perimeter wall, which nevertheless retains a height equal to that of the towers.
As the castle’s condition deteriorated over time, some renovation work was undertaken, and a staircase was added to give visitors access to the castle’s upper levels.
Want to extend your visit without having to rush around? Here are a few well-located places to stay near the must-see attractions.
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
Listowel town center, 15km from Ballybunion, Listowel (County Kerry) - Republic of Ireland
52.444402, -9.486927
45 minutes
