14. Cahir Castle
Cahir Castle, one of Ireland’s largest and best-preserved castles, stands on a rocky island in the River Suir. Built in the 13th century, it served as the stronghold of the powerful Butler family. Its formidable defenses were considered impregnable until 1599, when it fell to the Earl of Essex after a three-day siege. The castle features an excellent audio-visual show detailing its long history (heritageireland.ie).
