Castletown House: Ireland's Palladian Masterpiece

4.6 (2939)

Discover Ireland's grandest Palladian house, a testament to power, architecture, and history, nestled in the scenic Kildare countryside.

Home
Ireland
County Kildare
Castletown House

Explore Castletown House, a grand Palladian mansion built in the 1720s for William Conolly, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons, in Celbridge, County Kildare. Wander its vast parklands and discover a treasure trove of Irish history and architecture.

A brief summary to Castletown House

Castletown House, Celbridge, Castletown, Co. Kildare, IE
Click to display
Click to display

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Castletown House.

Check the Castletown House website for updates on the reopening of the house and tour availability.
Explore the extensive parklands, which are open to the public and offer scenic walks and river views.
Take Dublin Bus route C4 or 120 from Dublin city center to Celbridge.
Parking is limited in Celbridge, so consider using public transport.

Do you manage this location?

Take control to get all the benefits, like improved information, better appearance, and stronger visibility across AI-powered discovery. Learn more

Activate your presence

Other nearby places you may find interesting

Statue

The Majestic Statue of Leixlip

18th Century Spa

Leixlip Spa: An 18th-Century Mineral Spring

Irish Lost Places

Discovering the Enigmatic Irish Lost Places

Getting There

Public Transport

From Dublin city center, take the Dublin Bus route C4 from Ringsend Road or the 120 bus from Dublin City Centre towards Edenderry. For the C4, alight at stop 3907 on Celbridge Main Street, where the Castletown Gates will be in front of you. For the 120, take the bus to stop 7085, English Row, and walk up Main Street to the Castletown Gates. A single fare on Dublin Bus costs approximately €2-€3.
Walking

From Celbridge Main Street, the entrance to Castletown House is a short walk. Once through the gates, it's a pleasant 10-15 minute walk through the parklands to reach the house. There is no fee to enter the parklands.
Taxi

A taxi from Dublin city center to Castletown House takes approximately 25 minutes, depending on traffic. Expect to pay around €35-€45 for the trip. Taxis can drop you off near the entrance to the parklands.

Discover more about Castletown House

Castletown House, located in Celbridge, County Kildare, stands as Ireland's first and largest Palladian-style country house. Built in the 1720s for William Conolly, a self-made man who rose to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful figures in Ireland, the house was designed to reflect his power and status. Influenced by renowned Italian architect Alessandro Galilei and brought to life by Irish architect Edward Lovett Pearce, Castletown House boasts an impressive facade and a meticulously planned interior. The main house was completed around 1729, with the grand staircase added later. The estate originally comprised 550 acres, serving as a venue for political entertaining on a grand scale. After William Conolly's death in 1729, his widow Katherine continued to live in the house, commissioning follies like the Wonderful Barn and Conolly Folly. Later, Lady Louisa Conolly further enhanced the house and gardens, leaving a lasting mark on the estate. Today, Castletown House is open to the public, offering guided tours that reveal its architectural marvels and rich history. Visitors can explore the parklands, admire the collection of paintings and furnishings, and discover the unique 18th-century print room. While the house is currently closed due to operational issues, the parklands remain open, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of this historic estate.