What are the opening hours?

Monday 9:30am - 6pm Tuesday 9:30am - 6pm Wednesday 9:30am - 6pm Thursday 9:30am - 6pm Friday 9:30am - 6pm Saturday 9:30am - 6pm Sunday 9:30am - 6pm

Athenry Castle

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Athenry Castle

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Welcome to the official page for Athenry Castle, an OPW managed heritage site. The oldest part of the castle is the hall-keep.

Athenry is one of the most notable medieval walled towns surviving in Ireland, owing its foundation to Meiler de Bermingham who built his castle there c.1250. It is a large rectangular building originally containing only a hall at first-floor level and dark storerooms at ground level. For extra strength the lower part of the wall slopes out to form what is called a batter. The only original entrance was at first-floor level and would have been reached by an external wooden stairs similar to the present reconstruction. This gave direct access to the hall, the official and ceremonial reception room of the castle, where the lord received guests and tenants and presided over the manor court. Heat was probably provided originally by a brazier in the centre of the hall, with the smoke exiting through a louver or opening in the roof directly above. The garderobe or toilet is located diagonally across from the main entrance to the hall. The fine carving on the exterior of the doorway and on the inner side of two of the window openings bears witness to the importance of the hall. The capitals in both cases are carved with floral motifs in local style, known as the "School of the West", transitional between Romanesque and Gothic. Dating from the late 12th and early 13th centuries, this style can be found at the abbeys of Cong, Ballintubber and Boyle. The battlements are original 13th century work with tall arrow loops or slits in the solid sections or merlons. In the 15th century, these parapets were incorporated into steeply pitched gables at the north and south ends, for a new roof at this level. Parts of the original enclosure wall of the castle survive. Access to ground floor of castle for visitors with disabilities

02/11/2026

****FREE Wednesday****
Wednesday 4th of November is our last day of the season at Athenry Castle and its a great opportunity to call in for our final day of 2026. Athenry is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Ireland and this places the town to the forefront of Irish medieval history.
The town is located just a few minutes off the M6 motorway and is on the rail mainline with the train station a short walk away. With ample parking and restaurants, Athenry is the perfect stop for a break and investigation into its medieval history.
All the guides sincerely thank all our visitors from home and abroad for he calling into us. Thanks to Galway County Council, Athenry Heritage Centre and Athenry Experience for all the support throughout the season and see you all in 2027 for The European Year of the Normans.

Galway Tour Company Galway Archaeological and Historical Society Galway Bay FM Galway County Heritage Office Galway Memories Athenry News & Views Athenry Historical Network The Athenry Experience

27/10/2026

Dominican Priory Athenry FREE Tour
Sunday November 1st at 12:30 there is a free tour of the priory. Meeting with the tour guide at the priory gates at Abbey Row (postal code: H65 PC65) Athenry. There is ample parking (free on Sunday) and restaurants just a stroll away.
The history of the priory from the foundation includes destruction and rebuilding, University Status (1644), and the Cromwellian Suppression (1652) is truly astounding and the remaining build heritage bears witness to these historical events.
Athenry is just a few minutes off the M6 motorway east of Galway City and is also on the main rail lines Dublin-Galway and Limerick-Athenry with the train station just a stroll away.

Irish Dominicans Galway Tour Company Galway Cathedral Galway Archaeological and Historical Society South East Galway Archaeological & Historical Society Galway Heritage and History The Old Tuam Society Medieval Irish Heritage Athenry News & Views Athenry Musical Society

26/10/2026

Wishing all a happy and scary Halloween, we had some really frighteningly drawings from seriously talented schoolchildren. These works of the scariest art are on display in the castle basement so feel free to pop in and admire your work in the perfect setting.

25/10/2026

****FREE event at Athenry Castle Bank Holiday Monday****
This event is on a 'first come, first serve' basis in the castle basement. Please check the link:
https://heritageireland.ie/whats-on/storytelling-at-athenry-castle/

The incredible drawings by children are on display in the basement and truly are a testament to some serious artistic talents and we have FREE admission from 12pm.

25/10/2026

*****Autumn Hours at Athenry Castle****
Our hours are from 09:30 till 5pm with last admission at 4:15pm. Our final day for this season is Wednesday 4th November so there is still time to visit Athenry Castle.
This being the first Wednesday of the month we have FREE admission on as does other selected Office of Public Works (OPW) historical sites so check https://heritageireland.ie/ for all details.
Our annual Halloween Drawing Competition is proudly displayed in the castle basement so pop in for a look. The quality of the artists is astounding and all participants can be very proud of their work.
Just two of the amazing pieces of artistic examples that are on display in the Scary Basement.

Galway County Heritage Office Galway Tour Company Athenry Historical Network Athenry Community Playground

20/10/2026

****FREE Storytelling Event at Athenry Castle****
Bank Holiday Monday October 26th Athenry Castle presents:
Thomas Baker – Your Man’s Puppets
This event for children takes place in the castle basement which is all decked out for Halloween.
The first storytelling is from 1-1.45 and the second is from 3-3.45. We ask children to bring cushion or yoga mat. This event is on a 'first come, first serve basis'.

Athenry News & Views Athenry Historical Network Athenry Musical Society Athenry Tidy Towns

18/10/2026

Athenry Castle were delighted to host a fantastic group of students and lecturers from Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway recently. Visiting a historical site is the best classroom for students to explore Irelands amazing history. Students can purchase an annual pass to all fee paying Heritage Ireland sites for €10.00 which is amazing value and will encourage the students to visit as many sites as possible. Check out https://heritageireland.ie/ for all details.
ATU Galway City Galway Archaeological and Historical Society Archaeology, University of Galway History of Art and Architecture at the University of Limerick Archaeology Ireland Discover Ireland Discover Galway

12/10/2026

***Athenry Castle Halloween Art Competition 2026***
Happy and Scary Halloween from Athenry Castle. We are delighted to announce the details of our annual Halloween competition for 2026. There are brilliant board game prizes for various ages.
Skelly, the castle tour guide usually rattles around in the castle basement. On special scary occasions such as Halloween, he will happily cook up a magic potent in his cauldron in the Great Hall. His wife Pumpkin can be seen using her broom to sweep the castle and for flying to the shops for her magic ingredients.
Casper and Arachno, the castle twins invite all national schoolchildren to enter the Athenry Castle free drawing competition.
Please read the poster below for details and feel free to print off the black and white sketches in this post to use for your drawing.
We ask all entries to be into us by 4pm on Friday 23rd October 2026 so the winners can enjoy their prizes over the holiday period.
You can email to [email protected] or you can also pop in with your entry to the castle reception.

Athenry Historical Network Athenry News & Views Athenry Castle Galway Archaeological and Historical Society The Athenry Experience
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12/10/2026

We were delighted to welcome Sinéad Murphy to Athenry Castle to perform the 'Fields of Athenry' within the castle.
Sinéad is an Irish singer-songwriter hailing from Athenry, Co. Galway. After honing her craft at the Cork School of Music with a specialization in vocals and songwriting, she returned to the West of Ireland, becoming a staple of the local live music scene across Galway's top pubs and hotels. Currently gearing up for the release of her debut album in early 2027, Sinéad has already rolled out two standalone singles available across all major streaming platforms.

05/10/2026

***FREE Wednesday***
Wednesday 7th October has free admission to Athenry Castle and other selected office of Public Works (OPW) sites. Check https://heritageireland.ie/ for details of all participating sites. Athenry being one of the best preserved medieval towns in Ireland is the perfect town to investigate our medieval past.
Sing the famous song in the castle or on the grounds. See the various wonderful renditions https://www.facebook.com/athenrycastle/reels/

There is ample parking and restaurants just a stroll away from the castle. We have the key for the Dominican Priory at reception for €€10.00 refundable deposit.

Galway Tour Company ATU Galway City Galway Archaeological and Historical Society Athenry Historical Network Athenry News & Views The Tuam Herald

Address

Athenry
GALWAY

Opening Hours

Monday	9:30am - 6pm
Tuesday	9:30am - 6pm
Wednesday	9:30am - 6pm
Thursday	9:30am - 6pm
Friday	9:30am - 6pm
Saturday	9:30am - 6pm
Sunday	9:30am - 6pm

Telephone

+35391844797

Website

https://heritageireland.ie/visit/places-to-visit/athenry-castle/

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