Cahir Castle

Cahir Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Cathrach) is one of Ireland’s largest and best-preserved medieval fortresses, located in the heart of Cahir town, County Tipperary. Perched on a rocky island in the River Suir, the castle dates back to 1142 when it was founded by Conor O’Brien, Prince of Thomond, on the site of an earlier stone fortification known as a "cathair",which gives the town its name .​

In 1375, the castle was granted to the powerful Butler family, who expanded and fortified it over the following centuries. Despite its formidable defenses, Cahir Castle was captured in 1599 after a three-day siege by the Earl of Essex during the Elizabethan wars. It was besieged again during the Irish Confederate Wars, surrendering to Murrough O'Brien in 1647 and to Oliver Cromwell in 1650 without resistance .​
Today, the castle is managed by the Office of Public Works and is open to the public. Visitors can explore its well-preserved keep, towers, and defensive walls, as well as enjoy guided tours and audiovisual presentations in multiple languages . Cahir Castle has also served as a filming location for several productions, including Excalibur (1981), The Tudors, and The Last Duel (2021) .​