Affordable Castles To Stay At In Ireland: 16 Best Options Under $300 (2026)

Are you looking for an affordable castle to stay at in Ireland? Have you ever dreamed of waking up in a medieval tower, dining in a grand candlelight lit hall, or sipping whiskey by an enormous stone fireplace? I for one have, and have dreamed it many times over! Did you know that Ireland has over 30,000 castles! And many of them accept overnight guests?

That’s right, you can stay in a castle in Ireland and I’ve hunted down the best and most affordable so that you (and I) can stay in a castle in Ireland cheap! I once had a dreamy Irish castle to myself for two full days, and it was BLISS! More about that later!

This guide covers 16 of the best affordable castles to stay in Ireland (plus 7 splurges!), complete with pricing, locations, and insider tips for booking your dream castle stay.

I’m thrilled to announce that I’m about to become part of the retired crowd and my first order of business is to book one, two, or more of these dreamy overnight stays! Why not put a little magic in your Irish vacation by booking one of these castle stays in Ireland?!

Pricing UPDATE: Prices updated for 2026! (Hello inflation! YIKES!)

affordable castles to stay at in Ireland

While there are dozens upon dozens of castles to stay in in Ireland, this article focuses on the best affordable castles to stay at in Ireland including affordable castle hotels as well as self catering castles in Ireland.

price range for these affordable Irish Castle Hotels

I’ve tried to keep the castles on this list under $300 per night, based on double occupancy. Something that’s getting harder and harder to do at this insane rate of inflation.

Luxury hotels, affordable prices! You probably wouldn’t guess that you can book Luxury Castle hotels in this price range but indeed you can! Many of the hotels listed here are listed as 4 and 5 star hotels!

Budgeting for a trip to Europe? Check out this Europe Trip Cost Calculator!

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“At a Glance” Comparison Table for “castle hotels Ireland under $300”

Here’s a quick glance. You’ll find booking information further down in this article.

Complete list of best affordable Irish hotel castles to stay at in the Republic of Ireland

Here are your budget castle stays in Ireland:

1-Kilkea Castle Hotel

This gorgeous castle is over 1,000 years old! (1180 AD!) The historic castle has a rustic vibe with a fairy tale exterior. It’s a must for any Ireland itinerary! The property is set on 180 acres of ancient woodlands and acres of private gardens. These days it barely fits our budget but it’s just too amazing to drop from the list!

Location: Kilkea Ireland, County Kildare, Republic of Ireland
Guest rating: 8.8
Prices starting at: $299 (less for carriage guest rooms located in the castle courtyard)
Restaurant on site: 3 restaurants on site
Spa services: yes
Breakfast: included
Pet friendly: no
accessibility/ disability options: no
Other notable amenities: horse-riding, clay pigeon shooting, falconry, tennis courts, archery, fishing, on-site golf course.
Closest airport: Dublin (DUB) 84 km Waterford (WAT) 106 km
Airport shuttle: yes (paid)
Closest train station: Athy (5 mi) Carlow (7 mi)

• Baltinglass Abbey, Rathgall Hillfort, Athy Boat Tours on the river Barrow!, Brownshill Dolmen, Delta Sensory Gardens

2-Wilton Castle

Just 33 km south of Huntington Castle is another castle accommodation in Ireland. Beautiful fairy tale Wilton Castle is surrounded by parkland and forests. The history of the castles dates back to 1247 AD. Do be aware the closest restaurants are a 7-8 minute drive.

Location: Bree, Enniscorthy, County Wexford
Guest rating: 9.7 out of 10
Price: Starting at $232 per night, one or two bedroom apartment
Restaurant on site: no
Spa services: no
Breakfast: extra charge
Pets friendly: no
Disability / Accessibility options: contact the property direct
Other notable amenities: full kitchen, river views
Closest airport: Waterford (39 miles)
Airport shuttle: no
Closest train station: Enniscorthy 3.7 mi, Wexford Railway Station 10 mi

Things of interest near Wilton Castle:

• Irish National Heritage Park open air museum, Curracloe Beach, Tintern Abbey Ruins

3-Kilronan Castle Hotel & Spa

The exterior of this 4 star affordable castle hotel puts me in mind of a mini version of Windsor Castle. Kilronan Castle is decorated with antique furniture and old world charm. The castle sits on a 40 acre estate.

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Location: Ballyfarnon, Ireland, County Roscommon, Republic of Ireland
Guest rating: 8.9 out of 10
Price: start at $247.00
Restaurant on site: yes
Spa services: yes
Breakfast: included
Pets friendly: no
Disability / Accessibility options: yes (inquire at property direct)
Other notable amenities: indoor swimming pool, afternoon tea service, hot tub sauna, steam room,
Closest airport: Ireland West Airport Knock
Airport shuttle: no
Closest train station: Boyle (8 mi) Carrick-on-Shannon (9 mi)

Things of Interest near Kilronan Castle:

• Ballinafad Castle Ruins (17 km)
• Ballindoon Friary, 1507 Dominican priory ruins (15 km)
• Boyle Abbey, 12th century ruined Cistercian friary (20 km)

4-Cabra Castle Hotel

This property is…well…just wow!!!! 4 Star hotel Cabra Castle is an 18th century sprawling feast for the eyes. Clawfoot bathtubs and richly decorated elegant rooms and you won’t even believe the price!

Location: Kingscourt Ireland (Dunaree) County Cavan, Republic of Ireland
Guest rating: 9.0 out of 10
Price: starts at $275 (lower prices available for courtyard and cottage rooms)
Restaurant on site: yes
Spa services: no
Breakfast: included
Pets: no
Disability / Accessibility options: yes (inquire at property direct)
Closest airport: Dublin, Belfast International, George Best Belfast City Airport
Airport shuttle: no
Closest train station: Dundalk (30 km)

Things of interest near Cabra Castle Hotel:

• Dun A Ri Forest Park

5-Abbeyglen Castle Hotel

This lovely castle was built in 1832. Experience beautiful gardens and views of Twelve Bens mountain range. If your looking for cheap castles to stay in Ireland, this is one of the most inexpensive stays on our list.

Location: Clifden Ireland, County Galway, Republic of Ireland
Guest rating: 8.9 out of 10
Price: starting at $175.00
Restaurant on site: yes
Spa services: yes
Breakfast: included
Pets allowed: no
Disability / Accessibility options: yes (inquire at property direct)
Other notable amenities: fishing, live music, hiking, horseback riding (additional charge,) tennis, cycling, billiards
Closest airport: Ireland West Airport Knock
Airport shuttle: no
Closest train station: none close, check bus routes

Things of interest near Abbeyglen Castle Hotel:

• Clifden Castle, ocean / sea / beaches

6-Clontarf Castle Hotel

Castles stays near Dublin? You got it! This perfect little castle puts me in mind of a knight’s castle. Clontarf Hotel is set in an 11th-century castle with medieval architecture. This luxury hotel (boutique style!) can be found right in Dublin!

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Location: Castle Avenue, Dublin, County Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Guest rating: 8.8 out of 10
Price: starting at $225.00
Restaurant on site: yes
Spa services: no
Breakfast: included with some room rates
Pet friendly: guide dogs and service animals only
Disability / Accessibility options: yes (inquire at property direct)

Other notable amenities: Parking is free. Bus stop in front of the hotel that goes to the city center. (#130 bus)
Closest airport: Dublin (DUB) 10 km
Airport shuttle: no
Closest train station: Killester Dart Station 1.7 km (check the bus routes too)

Things of interest near Clontarf Castle Hotel:

• Book of Kells, Guinness Storehouse Experience, National Museum of Ireland, Dublin pub tours! Temple Bar, Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, and The Famine Memorial

7-Barberstown Castle

This 13th century 4 Star castle hotel, gem is the oldest on our list. It sits on a 20 acres of beautiful grounds. Over the centuries Victorian and Elizabethan additions expanded on the original Medieval Castle Keep of 1288. Eric Clapton once resided in this 55 room castle hotel gem, located just outside of Dublin.

Location: Straffan, Ireland, county Kildare, Republic of Ireland
Guest rating: 8.8 out of 10
Price: starting at $226.00
Restaurant on site: yes
Spa services: no
Breakfast: included in some room rates
Pet friendly: no
Disability / Accessibility options: yes (inquire at property direct)
Other notable amenities: afternoon tea service,
Closest airport: Dublin (DUB) 17 miles
Airport shuttle: no
Closest train station: Hazelhatch and Celbridge 3.6 mi Maynooth 4.6 mi

Things of interest near Barberstown Castle:

• Dublin sites: nearby buses provide access to sites in Dublin (for more see Things of Interest Near Clontarf Castle above), Leixlip Castle

8-Lough Eske Castle Hotel

This beautiful 5 star castle hotel with its manicured gardens is located at the foot of the mountains on 43 acres.

Location: Donegal, Ireland, county Donegal, Republic of Ireland
Guest rating: 8.8 out of 10
Price: courtyard rooms starting at $296
Restaurant on site: yes
Spa services: yes
Breakfast: yes
Pet friendly: no
Disability / Accessibility options: yes (inquire at property direct)
Other notable amenities: indoor swimming pool, fishing at Lough Esk
Closest airport: Donegal Airport 27 mi, City of Derry Airport, 43 mi, Ireland West Airport Knock 62 mi
Airport shuttle: no
Closest train station:

Things of interest near Lough Eske Castle:

• Donegal Castle, Lough Eske Lake, Bundoran Beach 34 km

9- Claregalway Castle

This fully restored 15th century Anglo-Norman tower has beautiful stone everywhere you look. Claregalway Castle is a classic Irish Castle that has rooms with river views. Only 10 km from Galway City and Within walking distance of a bus stop.

Location: Claregalway, Co. Galway, Republic of Ireland
Guest rating: 4.98 out of 5
Price: starting at $235.00 per night
Restaurant on site: no, but just a short walk (5 minutes) from Claregalway village where there are places to eat and enjoy a coffee)
Spa services: no
Breakfast: yes
Pet friendly: no
Disability / Accessibility options: no
Other notable amenities: complimentary wine, tea/coffee
Closest airport: Shannon Airport (SNN) 88 km West Knock Airport, 45 miles
Airport shuttle: no
Closest train station: Galway Railway Station 11 km, Oranmore 4.9 mi, Galway Railway Station 7 mi

Things of interest near Claregalway Castle:

• Claregalway Friary, Galway Cathedral, Quay Street, Aran Island Ferry terminals, Beaches of the Wild Atlantic Way!

10- Ballyseede Castle

Dating back to the 16th century, Ballyseede sits on 30 acres with 45 rooms, has an award-winning restaurant, and Irish Wolfhounds on property (guests love this!).

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Location: Waterford (on a private island!)
Guest rating: 9.5 out of 10 on Booking.com
Price: $299.00 per night
Restaurant on site: 2 restaurants
Spa services: no
Breakfast: yes
Pet friendly: no
Disability / accessibility options: yes
Closest airport: Waterford (includes a ferry ride) 11 km
Airport shuttle: no
Closest train station: Waterford Railway Station 5 km (included a ferry ride)

Things of interests near Waterford Castle

• There are many things to do in the Town of Waterford. You can explore them on Tripadvisor.

12- Lough Rynn Castle Estate

This 4-star hotel is set on 300 acres with beautiful lakefront location. The Ancestral home of the Clements family/Lord Leitrim has lovely walled gardens. This stay offers a good value for the luxury offered.

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Location: Leitrim County Mohill
Guest rating: 8.7 out of 10 on Booking.com
Price: $195.00 per night
Restaurant on site: yes
Spa services: no
Breakfast: yes
Pet friendly: no
Disability / accessibility options: yes
Closest airport: Ireland West Airport Knock 80 km
Airport shuttle: no
Closest train station: Dromod Station 11 km

Things of interest near Lough Rynn:

• The Shed Distillery, Glencar Waterfall, Parke’s Castle

13- Kinnitty Castle Hotel

This Gothic Revival castle from the 13th century is OLD and right up my alley! It’s going to the top of my list for its genuine castle atmosphere and great prices! For anyone who doesn’t want to stray too far from the capital city, it’s conveniently located to Dublin.

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Location: Kinnitty Village
Guest rating: 8.5 out of 10 on Booking.com
Price: $250.00 per night
Restaurant on site: yes
Spa services: no
Breakfast: yes
Pet friendly: no
Disability / accessibility options: no
Closest airport: Galway Airport
Airport shuttle: no
Closest train station: Roscrea Station

Things of interest near Kinnitty:

• Slieve Bloom Mountains

Northern Ireland options

There are some affordable Northern Ireland Castle Hotels and rentals too!

14-Belle Isle Estate, Castle & Cottage

Belle Is Estate’s history dates back to the 15th century and beyond. It is located on a 470 acre estate. Visitors have sole access to the grounds and trails. This self catering property is located on a private island with water taxi service.

Location: Belle Isle Demense Lisbellaw, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland UK
Guest rating: 9.2 out of 10
Price: starting at $240
Restaurant on site: yes
Spa services: no
Breakfast: no
Pet friendly: yes!
Disability/accessibility options: yes
Other notable amenities: kitchen, washing machine, wood burning stove, rental car service, mountain views, outboard motor boat rentals, fishing,
Closest airport: Derry, 65 miles City of Derry Airport 56 mi, Ireland West Airport Knock 57 mi, Donegal Airport 62 mi
Airport shuttle: yes, extra fees apply
Closest train station: Carrick-on-Shannon, Cortober 43 km

Things of interest near Belle isle Estate:

• Marble Arch Caves, Florence Court House, Castle Colle, Enniskillen Castle, Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail

15-Narrow Water Castle

Narrow water Castle is an Impressive example. The original castle dates back to the 1680’s, These are adult’s only, self catering, apartment rentals.

Location: 67 Newry Rd, Warrenpoint, Newry, Northern Ireland UK
Guest rating: 5 out of 5 (based on only 1 review)
Price: starting at $234 per night
Restaurant on site: no
Spa services: no
Breakfast: no
Pets: no
Disability: no
Other notable amenities: kitchen,
Closest airport: Belfast International Airport 38 mi George Best Belfast City Airport 39 mi Dublin Airport 48 mi
Airport shuttle: no
Closest train station: Newry 6 mi Dundalk Clarke 10 mi

Things of interest near Narrow Water Castle:

• Warrenpoint Beach 3 km
• Slieve Gullion Forest Park 17 km

16- Ballygally Castle Hotel

This 17th-century Castle is located on the scenic Antrim Coast Road (Causeway Coastal Route) and is reportedly haunted! how fun is that?! Plus the castle’s seaside location is kind of dreamy!

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Location: Larne, County Antrim Coast, Northern Ireland
Guest rating: 9.0 out or 10
Price: starting at $230.00 per night
Restaurant on site: yes
Spa services: no
Breakfast: no
Pets: no
Accessibility: Yes
Other notable amenities: kitchen,
Closest airport: Belfast International 23 mi.
Airport shuttle: no
Closest train station: Larne Town

Things of interest near Ballygally Castle:

• The Gobbins Cliff Path, Gleno Waterfall, Coast Road

Splurges! best castles in Ireland you can stay in just over $300!

These castles are over the $300 mark but not by much! (Looking for a true LUXURY experience? You may be interested in this review of Dromoland Castle from Our French Travels.)

18 -Carraigin Castle / Cargin

This authentic 13th century castle /manor house is surrounded by 7 acres of park and woodland and is situated on the shores of Lough Corrib, one of Ireland’s biggest lakes. You get the entire castle to yourself! It has 7 bedrooms (sleeps 10-12 people) and two full bathrooms. An incredible value!

Location: Clydagh, Headford, Co. Galway, Republic of Ireland
Guest rating: 5 out of 5
Price: starting at $408 per night
Restaurant on site: no
Spa services: no
Breakfast: no
Pet friendly: no, but contact the property to confirm
Disability/ accessibility options: no
Other notable amenities: full kitchen, open fireplace, washing machine and clothes dryer, boating, fishing,
Closest airport: Ireland West Airport Knock 68 km
Airport shuttle: no
Closest train station: Galway Train station 29 km

Things of interest near Carraigin Castle:

• Castle Hackett, Killursa Church, Galway and all of it’s sites is just 30 km away (for more on Galway attractions see their tripadvisor page)

19-Tybroughney Castle

Cozy medieval castle tower Tybroughney was built in 1462 (over 500 years old!) and is situated on the banks of the River Suir, located on a working dairy farm.
Rent a private room, choose the vaulted suite or the Queen suite.

Location: 1 km from Piltown, County Kilkenny, Republic of Ireland
Guest rating: 5 out of 5
Price: At one time you could rent out a room at around $312 per night but it’s went up! It looks like they are renting out the entire castle for around $1,600 per night! OUCH! I’m going to check and see if the will rent out one room and I’ll get back with you because I really wanted to book a room here and that’s not in my budget!
Restaurant on site: no
Spa services: no
Breakfast: yes
Pet friendly: no
Disability/accessibility: no
Other notable amenities: shared kitchen and dining room, washing machine, tower terrace with panoramic views of the Irish countryside.
Closest airport: Waterford Airport 35 km
Airport shuttle: no
Closest train station: Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary, Ireland 5 km, Waterford (Plunkett) 22 km

Things of interest near Tybroughney Castle:

• Ormond Castle, Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle, the Town of Kilkenny (check out my article for lots ofexciting things to do in Kilkenny!)

20- The Black Castle

Tullaun Castle (The Black Castle) is a 16th century medieval tower castle that sits on 13 acres so explore away! The interior of this 500 year old castle is oozing in medieval charm. It’s a true authentic castle experience and you’ll have it all to yourself! Prepare for relaxing evenings in front of the fire. Looking for Rustic Castles to stay in Ireland? Book this one!

Location: Nenagh / Carrigagown North, Co. Tipperary, Republic of Ireland
Guest rating: 5 out of 5
Price: starting at $312 (I don’t see any openings. Try their Facebook page for inquiries)
Restaurant on site: no
Spa services: no
Breakfast: provided are teas/coffee, milk, bread, butter, cereals, yogurts, drinking water, juice, free range eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes
Pet friendly: no
Disability/Accessibility: no
Other notable amenities: shared kitchen, washing machine, (be sure to read the full description because it’s missing several modern day conveniences)
Closest airport: Shannon 70 km
Airport shuttle: no
Closest train station: Nenagh 16 km (you’ll need to secure transportation from there)

Things of interest near The Black Castle:

• Lough Derg Lake, Dromineer Beach, Nenagh Castle 16 km

(the property is only open up for a limited number of nights each year. You can contact them through their Facebook page or on their website, Authentic Medieval Experience.)

map of affordable castles to stay at in Ireland

Follow this link to be directed to an interactive map of our list of affordable castles to stay in Ireland:

Castle Stay Mistakes to Avoid

7 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking a Castle in Ireland

#1: Not Reading Reviews Carefully

Learn from other guest reviews paying particular attention to reviews about room quality, especially for “courtyard” vs “castle” rooms, and get details about the “free breakfast.” Is it truly free? What are they serving?

#2 Waiting until the last-minute to book

Castles have limited rooms – book 3-6 months ahead

#3 failing to do your location & Transportation research

Many castles are rural with no public transport. Factor in rental car costs and driving time. If you need something easily reachable Clontarf and Barberstown are near Dublin.

#4 Assuming All Rooms Are in the Castle

THIS is a big one. Pay close attention to which room you are booking since many properties have rooms in separate buildings (lodges, courtyards, cottages.) Always specify you want a castle room when booking.

#5 Overlooking Self-Catering Requirements

Self-catering castles don’t provide food. You’ll need to plan ahead regarding what you plan to eat, as well as the need to grocery shop and meal prep. Some are remote with limited nearby restaurants.

#6 Forgetting to Book Activities

If you have your heart seat on a particular activity like falconry, spa services, or horse riding be sure to book well in advance! Restaurant reservations are often required, especially weekends.

#7 Not Asking About Heating & Modern Amenities

Historic castles can be cold and drafty and often don’t have amenities like central heat and air, they may have limited electrical outlets, and Wi-Fi may be sketchy so be sure to check before booking!

about the Castles of Ireland

Ireland’s approximately 30,000 castles run the gamut from rugged and rustic to lavishly restored castles that aim to please a 5-star clientele.

Irish castles were build with a practical purpose, to protect the inhabitants from invaders so they were sturdy fortifications, often without frills. Many were built during the harsh middle ages (11th-15th century) when comforts were rare.

Old World meets Modern

Many of the hotels listed have all of the modern conveniences that you would expect, including flat-screen tvs, wi-fi and fine dining experiences! all alongside old world details like four-poster beds, creaky old doors, and maybe a friendly ghost or two! Read listing details carefully so you know what you’re getting.

Ballintotis my #1 favorite rustic rental

Ballintotis is my favorite choice and the most affordable of them all, however currently not taking overnight guests. Keep checking back because this is one unique experience you don’t want to miss! Read all about my experience as Queen of the Castle at Ballintotis!

My favorite affordable castle stay in Ireland, Ballintotis!

How to find the best prices and protect your trip

💰 Book Early: you’ll tend to find the best prices if you book early. Monitor prices and when possible re-book if prices happen to go down.

💰 Stay in the Off-Season: Summer is generally the most expensive time to book, spring and fall prices are better, winter prices (except for the Christmas season) tend to be the best (although nearby attractions may be closed.)

💰 Stay midweek: Midweek stays tend to be less expensive than weekend stays, around 20-40% lower than Friday-Sunday.

💰 Select Lodge/Courtyard Rooms Save $50-150/night by choosing rooms outside the main castle – you still get access to all amenities

💰 Look for Packages Many castles offer dinner-included packages that save 15-20% vs booking separately

💰 Split Costs Rent entire castles with friends/family – Carraigin Castle ($408) sleeps 10-12, making it $35-40 per person!

💰 Follow on Social Media Castles post flash sales and last-minute deals on Facebook and Instagram

💰 Book Long Stays Many offer 3+ night discounts of 10-15%

💰 Use Cash-Back Credit Cards Earn 2-5% back on travel bookings

💰 Check out my Travel Resources page to learn how to get the best deals on airfare, rental cars, accommodations, language learning resources and more! 

💰 Protect your investment! MOST of these scenarios are covered when you purchase a “cancel for any reason” policy! I like to shop at Travel Insurance.com!  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do Irish castle hotels include breakfast?
A: Many castle hotels include breakfast. Always confirm when booking your room.

Q: What’s the difference between castle hotels and self-catering castles?
A: Castle hotels provide full hotel services (meals, housekeeping, concierge), while self-catering castles are vacation rentals where you cook your own meals. Self-catering options are often cheaper and great for families or groups.

Q: Can you rent an entire castle in Ireland?
A: Yes! Several properties on this list rent the entire castle: Drummond Tower, Carraigin Castle and The Black Castle are great options and a great value for groups.

Q: Are Irish castles wheelchair accessible?
A: Accessibility varies. Many historic castles have stairs and narrow doorways. I’ve listed Accessibility options this it article but always contact properties directly to confirm.

Q: Do I need a car to stay at an Irish castle?
A: Most castles are in rural areas, so a car is recommended. Exceptions: Clontarf Castle (near Dublin, accessible by DART train) and Barberstown Castle (near Dublin with train access).

Q: Can you have a wedding at these affordable Irish castles?
A: Yes! Many affordable castles host weddings: Cabra Castle, Kilkea Castle, Castle Leslie, and Barberstown Castle are popular venues. Contact properties directly for wedding packages.

free Ireland itinerary

Looking for the perfect Ireland itinerary chock full of the best places to hit in a short amount of time? you can find it here in my “Ultimate 2 Week Trip to Ireland and Scotland” article. Just leave out the first week!

Ireland obsessed? Want to hear more about my travels around Ireland and the rest of our amazing planet? You may be interested in my Ireland page!