Kilbrittain Castle History
The oldest castle in Ireland, Kilbrittain Castle was built in 1035 by Cian, grandson of Brian Boru, the high king of Ireland. Since then, it has been home to many ruling families: McCarthy, De Courceys, and Stawell, to name but a few.
For the first time in many hundreds of years, it is now owned by the Cahill O Brien family, who have opened it to visitors to come and stay and dine (if they wish) in the oldest almost genuine medieval castle in Ireland.
As you step into the entrance hall, once the guard room where battles were planned, you can climb the spiral stairs to the gallery and enjoy the feeling of grandeur experienced by the ruling families during the plantation of Ireland.
Visit Kilbrittain Castle
Historic Kilbrittain Castle is not just a hotel. It is a fascinating place where you can enjoy the warmth and hospitality of an Irish family. Each bedroom is en-suite, has been furnished with the visitor’s comfort in mind, and is unique in character.
Kilbrittain Castle is located just 15 minutes from Kinsale (the historic Spanish town with cobbled streets, gourmet pubs and restaurants, and shops full of curios and antiques) in the heart of West Cork. It is also 35 minutes from Cork Airport.