Ardgillan Castle Dublin

Ardgillan Castle Dublin and Demesne is Ireland’s hidden gem. The castle and grounds are set in spectacular parklands overlooking the Irish Sea with a magnificent view of the Mourne Mountains. As well as the castle, the demesne features a walled and rose garden both of which present an orderly profusion of colour.

Ardgillan Castle Dublin is situated in North County Dublin on an elevated coastline between Balbriggan and Skerries, 32 kilometers north of Dublin City. The demesne is well signposted off the M1. The park consists of 194 acres of rolling open grassland, mixed woodland and gardens, overlooking the Irish Sea with views of Mourne Mountains to the north and Lambay to the south-east.

The castle is a sanctuary for many species of animals, mammals and birds for which the wooded areas provide a safe retreat from surrounding agricultural land. Today the demesne is a stunning visitor attraction with a range of facilities the public can avail of, including castle tours, theatre events, afternoon tea, children’s parties plus much more.

Ardgillan Park

Ardgillan park is unique among Dublin’s regional parks for the magnificent views it enjoys of the coastline. A panorama, taking in Rockabill Lighthouse, Colt Church, Shenick and Lambay Islands may be seen, including Sliabh Foy, the highest of the Cooley Mountains, and of course the Mourne Mountains can be seen sweeping down to the sea.

Castle Activities

Ardgillan Castle Dublin is home to a traditional Irish tearoom, a place where visitors can enjoy home cooking and refreshments. Soak up the amazing historic ambience. Enjoy lunch or afternoon tea on our fantastic terrace which is set in the Ardgillan private rose garden that overlooks the magnificent lawn.

Castle tours and group tours can be arranged, as well as school tours. Civil weddings can also be held at the castle and rooms can be rented for conferences and/or private functions. Children’s parties go down a storm at the castle too.

Park Activities

The park itself offers a whole range of activities, including walks, nature trails and a dog friendly cafe called Paws at Ardgillan.

Paws at Ardgillan is a unique new café that will give dog walkers the opportunity to dine with their dogs in the stunning surrounds of Ardgillan Castle. The dog-friendly facility is one of the first in Ireland and is certainly the first feature of its kind in a municipal park in the country. This refreshing new initiative means that after a walk in the extensive and abundant wide open spaces of Ardgillan, dog walkers can sit with their dogs at a café table and partake in either hot or cold light food and refreshments.

The park is also home to a fantastic state-of-the-art playground which has over 30 pieces of play equipment to enjoy. From cradle swings for the very young, to a large climbing space net for older children (under 12). The playground is set in an elevated location overlooking the Irish Sea and is easily accessed from the main car park through a woodland walk which is very close by. A lower car park is available for wheelchair accessibility only.

The playground is themed on the castle and the sea to identify with the Ardgillan focus. The ground is coloured blue to represent the sea, with aquatic playground equipment, brown to represent the sand of the nearby beach, and the castle is perched on a green mound to represent Ardgillan Castle Dublin itself.