One of Ireland’s largest and best-preserved castles

This area was the stronghold of the O’Briens in the early medieval period. It came into the possession of James Butler Earl of Ormond in 1375 who along with his son James rebuilt the castle on a rock on the River Suir. It became one of the largest in the country and was thought to be impregnable. It was however captured 3 times in its turbulent history falling to Devereux, Earl of Essex in 1599, Inchiquin in 1647, and then to Cromwell in 1650. In 1961, the last Lord Cahir died and the castle reverted to the State. The castle retains its impressive keep, tower, and much of its original defensive structure and now features an excellent audio-visual show which informs visitors about its eventful history. It also featured in 1981 as a location for a battle scene in the film Excalibur.