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Visitors can take self-guided and guided tours through Kilkenny Castle and the surrounding gardens. Larry Gatz / Alamy Stock Photo ​​4. KILKENNY CASTLE, KILKENNY, COUNTY KILKENNY  The castle

towers at the high end of this delightful town’s medieval mile; St. Canice’s Cathedral can be seen at the other end. Between the two are modern-day coffee shops and eateries, Smithwick’s

brewery, department stores, Irish design shops and, on certain days, a market full of merchants under tents. But make no mistake, much of the fun in visiting Kilkenny is in the Kilkenny

Castle, built in the 1300s. Stepping into the castle feels like a trip back in time, walking through furnished drawing and dining rooms, bedrooms and nurseries, many adorned with paintings

and tapestries dating to the 17th century. ​Before or after a guided tour of the castle, explore the estate grounds and gardens. From the upper castle windows they look like a picture

postcard, but once in the midst you’ll appreciate them even more. Self-guided tours cost about $9 for adults (about $13 for guided tours), about $6.50 for those 60-plus (about $11 for guided

tours).  ​The centuries-old Dunguaire Castle offers a glimpse into medieval life on the Emerald Isle. Liquid Light / Alamy Stock Photo ​5. DUNGUAIRE CASTLE, KINVARA, COUNTY GALWAY  This

centuries-old structure demands attention as it sits tall on Galway Bay in Kinvara, about 35 minutes from the Republic of Ireland’s bustling fourth-largest city, Galway. Dunguaire Castle was

built in the 1520s and passed in the 17th century to the Martyn clan, one of 14 merchant families who became prominent in that period. Here you can imagine what medieval life was like on

this rugged western side of the Emerald Isle — the castle even offers regular medieval banquets between April and October to replicate how things might have been. Note: If you are called 

Lynch, your clan too was one of the merchant families and there’s a castle in the center of Galway with your name on it. Tickets for Dunguaire cost about $8 for adults, about $6 for older

adults.​ The ruins of Dunluce Castle overlook the ocean in Northern Ireland.  Andrea Pistolesi/Getty ​6. DUNLUCE CASTLE, BUSHMILLS, COUNTY ANTRIM After a morning of touring the majestic 

Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a true must-see in the north, we head to Dunluce Castle, the ruins of which stand silent sentry over the ocean from high above the coastal

cliffs at the top of Northern Ireland. Built in the 16th century, its dramatic profile alone makes it worthy of exploration. If you’re a _Game of Thrones_ fan you will be delighted to walk

around the seat of House Greyjoy in the Iron Islands.  Dunluce is also about 4 miles from the charming beach town of Portrush, a perfect stop for a meal or an overnight stay (plenty of

hotels offer sea views) and the setting for one full episode of the popular streaming series _Derry Girls_. Tickets cost about $8 for adults, about $6 for those 65-plus. Note: Currency is

pounds in Northern Ireland.