Maynooth Castle

THE 2026 SEASON HAS ENDED 🛡️⚔️🏰

And just like that, our 2026 visitor season has come to an end! Maynooth Castle is now closed for the winter period and will reopen to visitors in 2027.

We would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who visited us throughout the 2026 season. It has been another fantastic year at Maynooth Castle, and we have greatly enjoyed welcoming visitors from near and far.

Thank you to every individual, family, school and visitor who came through our gates, joined a guided tour, explored the castle for themselves, attended one of our talks or simply came along to enjoy this wonderful part of Maynooth's history.

Although the castle is now closed to visitors for the winter, our page and email will remain active throughout the off-season. We will continue sharing historical information, stories and photographs, as well as keeping you up to date with upcoming talks, events and other OPW activities.

For further information, please visit heritageireland.ie or contact us by email at [email protected].

Thank you once again for making the 2026 season such a memorable one.👏

From all of us at Maynooth Castle — thank you and see you next season! 👋

Heritage Ireland Ireland’s National Heritage in the care of the Office of Public Works

Maynooth Castle – End of the 2026 Season 🏰🗡️

A little reminder to all our visitors that tomorrow, Wednesday 23rd of September, marks the final day of the 2026 season at Maynooth Castle.

Please note that self-guided visits only will be available tomorrow, with no guided tours taking place.
The Castle and its grounds will then close for the winter months as we bring another season to a close.

As we reach the end of another busy and memorable season, we would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who visited and supported Maynooth Castle throughout 2026.

A special thank you goes to all the primary and secondary schools as well as the third-level educational groups who visited us during the year, as well as the many local organisations, community groups and historical societies, such as the Maynooth 850.

We are also very grateful to everyone who joined our guided tours, our historical talks, events and Heritage Week activities, and to those who simply came along to explore the Castle and its historic grounds.

Your enthusiasm, interest and continued support for Maynooth Castle and its history are greatly appreciated. It has been a fantastic 2026 season, and we look forward to welcoming you all back when we reopen in 2027. 👏

Thank you for visiting Maynooth Castle and helping us keep its history alive. ⚔️🛡️

Maynooth Castle & Celebrating 850 years of Maynooth. 🏰

This summer, as part of the Maynooth 850 celebrations, RTÉ Nationwide visited Maynooth to film various locations, historic settings, community organisations and the people who make our town so special.

Filming also took place at Maynooth Castle, showcasing the town’s rich history and heritage.
The programme offers a wonderful opportunity to showcase Maynooth’s unique story, from its medieval roots and historic landmarks to the people and organisations who continue to contribute to the life of the town today.

We’re delighted that Maynooth’s 850th anniversary celebrations are being featured on national television, and we look forward to seeing the finished programme!

🗓️Tonight, Monday 21st September
⏰ 7.00pm
📺 RTÉ One & Player

Be sure to tune in! 🎥🍿

Medieval Arrow Loops at Maynooth Castle! 🏹🏰

Ever wondered what those narrow openings in medieval castle walls were used for?

Known as arrow loops, arrowslits or loopholes, these openings allowed medieval defenders to fire arrows at attackers while remaining protected behind the thick castle walls.

Being narrow on the outside made it harder for attackers to hit the defenders. Wider on the inside which gave archers a greater angle to aim and fire.
Overtime some loops were adapted for crossbows and, eventually, early fi****ms.

Next time you're at Maynooth Castle, look up!
If you examine the upper sections of the castle, you can still see evidence of these defensive features, offering a glimpse into the castle's medieval military past. 🗡️🏹

Reminder 💭📖

Book Launch - Before The Doctor Came - A history of Medicine in Ireland. 📖🩺

This fascinating new book explores how people in Ireland understood illness, injury and healing from the early Christian period to the early twentieth century.
From Brehon laws and medieval medical manuscripts to monasteries, hereditary doctors, childbirth, folk remedies and the great plagues!

Before the Doctor Came tells the story of the men and women who cared for the sick and tried to ease suffering long before modern medicine transformed Irish life.

📍 The Maynooth Bookshop
📅 Thursday 17th of September
⏰ 6:30pm
🎟️ All welcome — Free event

Come along and discover a fascinating, often forgotten chapter of Ireland's medical history.
A book launch not to be missed! 📚

A historic visit to Maynooth 🏰📸

It was fantastic to see Maynooth Castle featured in the Liffey Champion newspaper this week, following the very special visit to Maynooth by the 9th Duke of Leinster, Maurice Fitzgerald, and the Duchess of Leinster, Fiona Fitzgerald, as part of the celebrations marking 850 years of Maynooth.

During their visit, the Duke and Duchess experienced many of the wonderful places, organisations and community groups that make Maynooth and the surrounding area so special.

Their itinerary included visits to St Mary’s Church of Ireland, Maynooth, St Patrick’s Pontifical University, the John Paul II Library at Maynooth University, Carton House and the Maynooth Local Market at the Town Square. The historic visit also took them beyond Maynooth, with visits to Clongowes Wood College in Clane.

They were also greatly impressed by the dedication and hard work of Maynooth Tidy Towns Association, whose efforts continue to make such a positive difference to the town.

A particularly special part of the weekend was their return to Maynooth Castle. The Duke and Duchess, together with members of the extended Fitzgerald family, revisited the castle on Sunday 6th of September, where they met the castle tour guides for a tour, conversation and a chance to reconnect with this important part of their family history.

It was wonderful to welcome them back to a place so closely connected with the Fitzgerald family and to see the interest and enthusiasm shown throughout their visit.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this historic occasion so memorable — the Maynooth 850 Historical Society, Office of Public Works, local organisations, community groups, volunteers, businesses and everyone who contributed in any way. 👏

The 850th anniversary has been a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Maynooth’s remarkable history, heritage and community, and this special visit by the Duke and Duchess of Leinster was a fitting part of those celebrations. 📖🙌

Queen Victoria’s Royal Visit to Maynooth – 1849 👑

In 1849, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert made their historic first visit to Ireland, and their journey brought them to Carton House, Maynooth, the magnificent home of the FitzGeralds, Dukes of Leinster.
The royal visit was an important occasion for the area, and the 3rd Duke of Leinster, Augustus Frederick FitzGerald, took great care to present the estate and its surroundings in the best possible light.

Maynooth Castle was given particular attention. The nearby ruins were tidied and railed off, helping to emphasise the historic importance of the FitzGerald stronghold. The Duke was also responsible for the restoration of the Solar Tower. Structural and architectural repairs included restoring openings, windows and archways, helping to stabilise the medieval structure while also preserving important features of its historic appearance.

Augustus also maintained the famous Avenue of lime trees, which connected Carton House with Maynooth Castle and St Mary’s Church. The Duke’s influence extended beyond the estate itself. As a board member of the Royal Canal Company, he was instrumental in ensuring that the canal passed close to Maynooth and his family’s lands, further connecting the town with Ireland’s developing transport network.

Today, the connection between the Duke, his family and Maynooth can still be seen. Augustus Frederick FitzGerald, 3rd Duke of Leinster, and his wife, Lady Charlotte, are buried in the crypt of St Mary’s Church, directly opposite Maynooth Castle.

So, when Queen Victoria arrived at Carton in 1849, she was entering a landscape carefully shaped by generations of the FitzGerald family — where medieval heritage, aristocratic ambition and the modern Ireland of the nineteenth century met side by side.

All part of Maynooth’s remarkable history. 📖👑🏰

🏰 Maynooth 850 — A Historic Visit 🏰

As part of the Maynooth 850 celebrations, we were delighted to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Leinster, Maurice and Fiona FitzGerald, to Maynooth Castle, alongside members of the Maynooth 850 Historical Society and OPW guide staff and historians.

Maynooth’s story stretches back 850 years to the 1170s, when Maurice FitzGerald was granted lands in the area by Richard de Clare, better known as Strongbow. In 1204, Maynooth Castle was built, becoming the principal seat of the FitzGerald family and an important centre of power in the region.

The connection made this visit particularly fitting. The Duke of Leinster is a historic title in the Peerage of Ireland, first created in 1691. The current holder, Maurice FitzGerald, 9th Duke and Marquess of Leinster, was born in 1948 and is the elder son of the 8th Duke and his second wife, Anne.

Although the modern title carries no territorial landholdings or financial revenue, its historical significance remains closely associated with the FitzGerald family and their long connection with Ireland.

It was a pleasure to welcome the Duke and Duchess to Maynooth Castle and to mark this important milestone in Maynooth’s history together.

A sincere thank you to the Office of Public Works, the Maynooth 850 Historical Society, and everyone involved in organising and supporting this memorable occasion.

Maynooth 1176–2026 — 850 Years of History, Heritage and Community. 🏰📜📖

Reminder 💭

Visitor Notice & Visitor Information ⚠️ℹ️

Please note that due to a private event taking place at Maynooth Castle tomorrow (5/09/2026), access to the castle will be limited for part of the day.

The Castle Keep will be closed to visitors from 11:30am until 2:00pm. It will reopen at 2:00pm for self-guided visits only.

The castle grounds will remain open throughout the whole day and, as always, are free to visit.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. 🏰