Ireland's finest Elizabethan manor house, built in 1565 by Thomas Butler for his cousin Queen Elizabeth I. Its long gallery holds some of the country's most exquisite Tudor stucco plasterwork.
The only way inside the Tudor manor house is by guided tour (approx. 40 minutes). Guides lead you through the Ladies' Parlour, Dining Chamber, Earl's Chamber, the magnificent Long Gallery, and the attic, sharing stories of the powerful Butler family along the way.
Stretching nearly the full length of the building, the long gallery is the star of the show. Look up at the intricate stucco ceiling featuring portraits of Queen Elizabeth I, her brother Edward VI, and Tudor emblems — among the finest early plasterwork in Ireland.
Before or after your tour, visit the exhibition room with its touch-screen storybooks and a scale model of the castle as it looked over 450 years ago. Two short animated films bring 'Black Tom' Butler's story to life in the audio-visual room.
Wander the atmospheric middle and lower courtyards where the shells of medieval buildings survive. The castle incorporates two 15th-century tower houses from the original riverside stronghold — a striking contrast to the elegant Tudor façade.
Ormond Castle sits right on the Suir Blueway, a scenic walking and cycling trail that follows the river. Combine your castle visit with a stroll or ride along the water — the trail passes right by the castle grounds.
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