What are the opening hours?

Monday 9:30am - 4:45pm Tuesday 9:30am - 4:45pm Wednesday 9:30am - 4:45pm Thursday 9:30am - 4:45pm Friday 9:30am - 4:45pm Saturday 9:30am - 4:45pm Sunday 9:30am - 4:45pm

Rathfarnham Castle

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Rathfarnham Castle

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The original castle at Rathfarnham dates back to the Elizabethan period and was built for Archbishop Adam Loftus Group tours must be booked in advance.

The castle with its four flanker towers is an excellent example of the fortified house in Ireland. In the late 18th 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. Visitors will learn about the origins and early history of the castle and will see a series of finely decorated 18th century rooms, some containing period furniture. The castle also contains a collection of original paintings including landscapes and family portraits by Angelica Kauffman (1741-1807), Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680), and Hugh Douglas Hamilton (1740-1808). Location: Rathfarnham by-pass, between Rathfarnham Road and Grange Road (near Rathfarnham Village)

Bus Routes: 16/16A from City Centre, 17 (Blackrock - Rialto), 75 (Dun Laoghaire - Tallaght)

Guided tours available. Duration: 45 min - 1 hour

Admission: Adult €5.00, Senior/Group €4.00, Student: €3.00, Family €13.00

Leaflet/Guide Book: Leaflet in English

Seasonal Events: exhibitions, concerts, theatre, readings

Photography/Video allowed: Yes, for personal use

Additional Information: Full access for visitors with disabilities

Tearooms open daily. To contact the Tearooms call 046 940 7329.

07/10/2026

We are pleased to announce that the minor technical issues which delayed the opening of The Nativity Scene: The Legacy of St. Francis of Assisi through Italian Design and Irish Craftsmanship have been resolved, and the exhibition will open tomorrow, 8th October at 9.30am.

On the occasion of the eight-hundredth anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi, the Embassy of Italy in Ireland and the Italian Cultural Institute in Dublin present The Nativity Scene: The Legacy of St Francis of Assisi through Italian Design and Irish Craftsmanship.

The project, developed by the Italian Cultural Institute in Dublin and designer Andrea Vecera, artistic curator of the exhibition, is presented by the Italian Cultural Institute in Dublin in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy in Ireland, OPW – Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí/Office of Public Works, and DCCI – Design & Crafts Council Ireland. The exhibition will be on display at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, from 4 October 2026 to 6 January 2027.

The exhibition is conceived as a tribute to one of Saint Francis’ “inventions”: the presepe, or Nativity scene. It consists of a collection of unique Nativity scenes, offering a diverse vision of this religious representation - not only as a spiritual symbol, but also as a profound and intimate part of Italian culture.

Internationally renowned Italian designers have been invited to reinterpret the Nativity through their own personal vision, using a variety of materials, with a particular emphasis on natural materials characteristic of the Irish landscape.

The designers’ projects have been brought to life by Irish craftspeople introduced by DCCI – Design & Crafts Council Ireland, fostering a fruitful exchange between the creative excellence of the two countries.

Through this cultural dialogue, the exhibition aims to promote values deeply associated with the figure of St Francis, including solidarity, the sharing of knowledge, a sense of belonging to the community, and a spirit of collaboration.

ITALIAN DESIGNERS
Antonio Aricò | Alessandra Baldereschi | Lorenzo Damiani
Gumdesign | Giulio Iacchetti | Lorenzo Palmeri
Sonia Pedrazzini | Matteo Ragni | Andrea Vecera
IRISH ARTISANS
Garvan de Bruir | Erica Devine | Jamie Forde
Brendan Joyce | Eoghan Leadbetter | Edel MacBride | Eimear Vize
PARTNERS
Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí/Office of Public Works (OPW)
Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI)

06/10/2026

Tomorrow is the first Wednesday of the month, so you can enjoy free admission to the Castle, and to a whole range of other OPW heritage sites. See www.heritageireland.ie for a full list of participating sites.

Please note that due to an event taking place in Rathfarnham Castle on Wednesday evening, the first floor of the Castle will be closed to the public from 4.30pm approximately, and it is advisable to arrive by 4pm in order to have access to all historic rooms. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Normal access will resume on Thursday 8 October.

04/10/2026

PLEASE NOTE: Due to unforeseen minor technical issues, this exhibition will not open today as planned. We apologise for any disappointment caused. Please check social media for updates, or contact us directly at 01 493 9462 or [email protected].

02/10/2026

On the occasion of the eight-hundredth anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi, the Embassy of Italy in Ireland and the Italian Cultural Institute in Dublin present The Nativity Scene: The Legacy of St Francis of Assisi through Italian Design and Irish Craftsmanship.

The project, developed by the Italian Cultural Institute in Dublin and designer Andrea Vecera, artistic curator of the exhibition, is presented by the Italian Cultural Institute in Dublin in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy in Ireland, OPW – Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí/Office of Public Works, and DCCI – Design & Crafts Council Ireland. The exhibition will be on display at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, from 4 October 2026 to 6 January 2027.

The exhibition is conceived as a tribute to one of Saint Francis’ “inventions”: the presepe, or Nativity scene. It consists of a collection of unique Nativity scenes, offering a diverse vision of this religious representation - not only as a spiritual symbol, but also as a profound and intimate part of Italian culture.

Internationally renowned Italian designers have been invited to reinterpret the Nativity through their own personal vision, using a variety of materials, with a particular emphasis on natural materials characteristic of the Irish landscape.

The designers’ projects have been brought to life by Irish craftspeople introduced by DCCI – Design & Crafts Council Ireland, fostering a fruitful exchange between the creative excellence of the two countries.

Through this cultural dialogue, the exhibition aims to promote values deeply associated with the figure of St Francis, including solidarity, the sharing of knowledge, a sense of belonging to the community, and a spirit of collaboration.

ITALIAN DESIGNERS
Antonio Aricò | Alessandra Baldereschi | Lorenzo Damiani
Gumdesign | Giulio Iacchetti | Lorenzo Palmeri
Sonia Pedrazzini | Matteo Ragni | Andrea Vecera

IRISH ARTISANS
Garvan de Bruir | Erica Devine | Jamie Forde
Brendan Joyce | Eoghan Leadbetter | Edel MacBride | Eimear Vize

PARTNERS
Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí/Office of Public Works (OPW)
Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI)

01/10/2026

The year is flying by, and it's hard to believe that it's time for us to move to our winter opening arrangements:

From Monday 12 October until 1 May 2027 the Castle will be open Wednesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays from 10.30am until 5pm with last admissions at 4.15pm. Our exhibition and event programme will continue throughout the winter season, so please keep an eye on our social media for details of talks, tours and other events.

24/09/2026

We are thrilled to participate in Open House again - it's always a joy to share our enthusiasm for the architectural gem that is Rathfarnham Castle.

We are hosting two Open House Junior events on Saturday 10th October and Sunday 11th October at 2pm. Booking is essential as places are limited. You can book your place and find further information at this link: https://openhousedublin.com/locations/rathfarnham-castle-junior/

You can also join us for Open House tours on Saturday 17th October and Sunday 18th October at 11am and 3pm. For further information and to book your place see https://openhousedublin.com/locations/tour-of-rathfarnham-castle/

Booking is essential as places are limited.

23/09/2026

Great news! Due to the popularity of this wonderful exhibition we are delighted to announce that Monuments in Focus will run now until the end of October. The exhibition is open daily until 7 October and thereafter it will be open Wednesday to Sunday. Admission is free.

18/09/2026

Join us for Culture Night 2026 tonight! Take this opportunity to view the Castle in the atmospheric after-hours, learn about the Elizabethan origins of this fascinating building, before touring through a series of fine 18th century interiors to the designs of Sir William Chambers and James 'Athenian' Stuart, enjoy our small but fine collection of period furniture and family portraits, AND you can take in our current exhibition, 'Monuments in Focus' an exhibition of magnificent photographs from the National Monuments Service Photographic Archives.

Beidh seirbhís agus turas trí Ghaeilge ar fáil ar an oíche! Buail isteach agus bígí linn!

Open 4pm - 8pm. Last admissions 7.30pm. Admission free.

17/09/2026

We are really looking forward to hosting Tríona Marshall here next month! Tríona will perform here as part of the Castle's Cultural Programme on Thursday 8 October in the elegant surroundings of the Castle's 18th century Ballroom. The concert starts at 8pm and tickets (€20 including booking fee) are available now from Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/1993538389989

Article courtesy of mayonews.ie

15/09/2026

Bookings are now open for this very special musical event taking place on Thursday 8 October at 8pm featuring renowned Irish harpist Tríona Marshall. Tríona is celebrated for the expressive depth and radiant tone of her playing, bringing together the worlds of Irish traditional, classical, and contemporary music. Her performances are marked by emotional clarity, subtle virtuosity, and a profound sense of connection with audiences.

A former member of The Chieftains, with whom she toured internationally for almost two decades, Tríona has performed in many of the world’s leading concert halls and collaborated with artists across a wide range of styles.
Her solo work reflects a return to a more personal voice, weaving together traditional airs, contemporary Irish compositions and her own arrangements.
Whether performing in an intimate theatre or a grand concert hall, Tríona’s playing draws listeners into the stillness, clarity, and resonance at the heart of the harp’s sound.

This concert is presented by the OPW as part of the 2026 Cultural Programme at Rathfarnham Castle. Doors open at 7.30pm and the performance runs from 8pm to 9.30pm. Tickets are €20 (including booking fee) from: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/1993538389989

Booking essential.

Image: John Wilde Lafayett

Address

Grange Road
Terenure
D14K3T6

Opening Hours

Monday	9:30am - 4:45pm
Tuesday	9:30am - 4:45pm
Wednesday	9:30am - 4:45pm
Thursday	9:30am - 4:45pm
Friday	9:30am - 4:45pm
Saturday	9:30am - 4:45pm
Sunday	9:30am - 4:45pm

Telephone

+35314939462

Website

http://www.rathfarnhamcastle.ie/

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