Welcome to Rathfarnham Castle
The original castle at Rathfarnham dates back to the Elizabethan period and was built for Archbishop Adam Loftus, an ambitious Yorkshire clergyman who later became Lord Chancellor of Ireland. In the late eighteenth century, the house was remodelled on a splendid scale employing some of the finest architects of the day including Sir William Chambers and James ‘Athenian’ Stuart. The collection includes family portraits by Angelica Kauffman (1741-1807), Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680), and Hugh Douglas Hamilton (1740-1808). Rathfarnham Castle is managed and operated by the Office of Public Works.
During the works taking place, many exciting archaeological artefacts were discovered! Watch the video here. Rathfarnham Castle reopened to the public on the 16th of October 2015, and you can see photographs from the launch here.
Summer Opening Arrangements
From late April to late September, Rathfarnham Castle is open daily 9.30am – 5.30pm. Last admissions 4.45pm.
Winter Opening Arrangements
From late September to late April, Rathfarnham Castle is open Wednesday to Sunday 10.30am – 5pm. Last admissions 4.15pm.
Please download the Code of Conduct for Dog Owners at this link.
Did you know...
Look for the star symbol throughout the website to check out some interesting facts about the history of Rathfarnham Castle!
The Rathfarnham Castle Blog
Stay up to date, and enjoy glimpses from behind the scenes at Rathfarnham Castle! Below are the latest entries. Click here for the archive.
Doors to the Saloon: Rathfarnham Castle’s connection to the slave trade
Beauty arises from that species of elegance, which we call smoothness… The more the mahogany shines, the more it is considered as an object of beauty: as if the eye delighted in gliding smoothly over a surface... (Edmund Burke, A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin...
The Birds of Rathfarnham Castle – The Herring Gull
The final bird of the three species that regularly nest on Rathfarnham Castle is the herring gull or the European herring gull as we should properly call it (there is an American herring gull) the quintessential “seagull” and the backdrop to trips to the seaside....
Christmas Traditions
Christmas Traditions Christmastime and traditions go hand in hand. This is despite us not always knowing where these traditions come from or why we follow them. Have a read and find out about which traditions can trace their origins to pre-Christian times and how a...