Travel Information

One of Ireland’s most popular attractions is its castles, prompting many tourists to rent a car in order to see as many of them as possible. If you do, don’t forget to mark Trim Castle on your map. Called “the King of Castles”, it is the largest Norman military construction in the country, sprawling over 300 acres. It also played an important role in key events in Ireland’s history. The huge stone keep and the gatehouses surrounding it wrere built in 1172 by Hugh de Lacy. Construction was sporadic, interrupted by invasions, mutinies, and political bickering. One detail that makes the castle worth the car travel is its unusual design. The structure is shaped like a Greek cross, with towers added not for defense, but for extra rooms and artistic flair. In the east tower, right below the chapel, is the castle entrance. As you pass through its doors, it is easy to imagine how some of history’s greatest kings and bravest warriors walked on these very same steps. A winding staircase grants access to all floors, but it is the third floor that once bore the center of power. This was lord’s chamber. From the window, you can look out at the fields—how many of history’s most important men surveyed this very landscape, perhaps even watching thousands in a fierce battle for the future of the kingdom? It is these thoughts and imaginings that make visits to Ireland’s castles so appealing. Museums and exhibits may display samples of history, but the chance to touch and see the historical sites from which those artifacts were taken make the past all the more real. In this way, renting a car in Ireland isn’t just convenient—it is crucial to experience its romance and legend. You travel to a place, and you travel through time.