WATCH Glin Castle is a tourist treasure in the heart of County Limerick

Glin Castle tourist treasure in the heart of County Limerick. Spring Gathering at Glin Castle—a rare opportunity to experience the beauty and charm of this historic estate, took place on Friday, May 9, 2025. Pictured are Catherine FitzGerald and Dominic West. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

The beauty and passion for art and architecture live on at Glin Castle, a beautiful tourist destination right on our doorstep in County Limerick

The sun was shining on Glin Castle this May when castle custodians Catherine FitzGerald and her husband Dominic West took visitors on an emotional journey through a treasured piece of Limerick history in one of Ireland’s most beautiful landmarks.

Catherine FitzGerald, daughter of the late Desmond Fitzgerald – the 29th and last Knight of Glin – spoke with I Love Limerick’s Richard Lynch fondly about her father’s passion for art, architecture, and Irish history, as she said the last Knight of Glin “was an inspiration to all of us”, noting he had a “passion for architecture and art in Ireland and wanted to do as much as he could for preservation”

Catherine explained, “ I grew up with that around us. So, of course, we absorbed so much of all his passion for that, and here I am still here looking after the fabric, the gardens, restoring Glin Castle back to its heyday.”

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Speaking about the castle’s legacy, Dominic West, the well-known actor and husband of Catherine, noted the FitzGerald Knights of Glin have been in the area for more than 800 years, saying they were situated in a castle in the village which was “blown apart by the forces of Elizabeth the First” before moving to the oldest part of the building on the grounds where it is today, “Then it was castellated and made beautiful in the, in the 18th century and made grand and into the great sort of party house it is now.”

West told I Love Limerick, “That’s what Catherine’s forebears and parents, and Catherine and I now, are trying to keep going. That this is a great place for entertaining and for parties.” The couple explained they want to make the castle a reason to explore off the Wild Atlantic Way, and hope Glin Castle could be a reason to do that.

Glin Castle is also a vital community hub with the couple hosting several open days each year, including a major event in late August, with the gatherings drawing eager crowds who wish to explore the beautiful gardens, walk the scenic Knights Walk Trail, and support the Glin Development Association.

Speaking about the preservation and upkeep of such a property, Catherine said, “There are a million little things with these old houses. To keep them a breathing, living entity. With Dominic’s help, together, we’ve done seven years of conservation work on the house.

Meanwhile, developing the gardens so that they are up to scratch, to receive visitors who will be using it for weddings, corporate events, launches, meetings from all over the world, hopefully from the local community where there are many wonderful businesses and enterprises around here who are showing positive interest in using it.” 

Inside the castle, visitors will be treated to an authentic glimpse of Irish heritage as the walls and rooms are furnished with centuries-old collections curated largely by Desmond Fitzgerald. Speaking about the importance of maintaining premises like Glin Castle, Catherine said, “ Many houses are sold and the collections get split up. It’s the collections that tell the story, and you’ve got the family tree, the original, and you’ve got the harpsichord, you’ve got the portraits.

“If there’s a house sold, all of that is dispersed. But here, it’s here to tell the story, and the story is itself a story in miniature of the whole of Irish history. My aim is to try to make it sustainable for the future and a connection with the family and all of that, and this is why we’re here today.”

Glin Castle offers elegant rooms, enchanting gardens and private hire for various occasions and is situated on the banks of the River Shannon in Glin, Co. Limerick – the gateway to Southwest Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way.

Shannon International Airport is just a 55-minute drive away, Cork Airport a 90-minute drive and Dublin Airport 2 hours and 30 minutes from us. And with connecting flights to most major European and US cities from all three airports, Glin Castle is easily accessible to all.

Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick