Explore Ardgillan Castle: History, Gardens & Family Workshops

Ardgillan Castle Ltd — County Dublin historic tours

Ardgillan Castle Ltd in County Dublin offers a diverse program of historic tours, family workshops, music events, and guided garden experiences at Ardgillan Castle and Demesne. The estate combines 18th-century architecture, curated landscapes, and community-focused programming to attract history lovers, gardeners, families, and cultural visitors.

Why visit Ardgillan Castle?

• Ardgillan Castle Self Guided Tour: a concise 30-minute route that highlights rooms associated with the Taylor family between 1738 and 1962. Seniors can access free tours on the first Wednesday of each month.
• Create Your Own Castle: a hands-on workshop for ages eight and up where children design and customise their own castle models — a fun, messy activity focused on creativity and heritage.
• Trad Music in the Drawing Room: intimate performances with Eoin, Molly, and Roisin on Uilleann pipes, tin whistle, Trad flute, and concertina, offering an authentic Irish music experience.
• Weaving Workshop for Kids: storytelling and hands-on demonstrations where children make a woven piece to take home while learning about weaving traditions.
• Garden Tour & Guided Garden Tour: led by head gardener Dominica McKevitt, these walks showcase seasonal displays and provide expert gardening tips across the demesne.

Visitor Practicalities and Booking

Ardgillan Castle Ltd publishes clear tour summaries and schedules so visitors can plan visits around available programming. The property supports family visits, school groups, and cultural programming. Tour descriptions include age guidance, named event leaders, and practical notes on duration and content. Tickets, event details, and seasonal schedules are available through official Ardgillan Castle Ltd channels.

What to expect on site

Expect well-documented historical interpretation about the Taylor family era, a variety of hands-on children's workshops, lively traditional music sessions in intimate rooms, and seasonal garden highlights guided by a named head gardener. Programming balances educational content with interactive experiences, making the estate suitable for learning, leisure, and family engagement.

Search keywords to use when planning a visit

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Tips to optimize a visit

Plan visits around seasonal garden blooms or scheduled music performances for the richest experience. Combine a short self-guided tour with a workshop or a garden tour to experience multiple facets of Ardgillan Castle in a single visit.

Trust and stewardship

Ardgillan Castle Ltd operates as a steward of a recognised historic estate in County Dublin. By naming event leaders, publishing tour descriptions, and offering structured programs for different ages and interests, the organisation provides transparent, reliable options for visitors seeking historic tours, family workshops, traditional music, and horticultural learning.