A 14th-century Anglo-Norman tower house near Jenkinstown, Foulksrath was bought from the Swift family by An Óige (Irish Youth Hostel Association) in 1946 and reopened in 1948 as the oldest youth hostel in Ireland, complete with spiral staircases and a great hall with an immense fireplace. It closed as a hostel in 2009 and is now in private hands.
Visiting Foulksrath Castle
Privately owned, exterior view only
"A 14th-century Anglo-Norman tower house near Jenkinstown, Foulksrath was bought from the Swift family by An Óige (Irish Youth Hostel Association) in 1946 and reopened in 1948 as the oldest youth hostel in Ireland, complete with spiral staircases and a great hall with an immense fireplace."
Where to stay nearby
The closest castle hotel is Kilkea Castle, 33.16 km away in Castledermot — Built in 1180 by Hugh de Lacy for Sir Walter de Riddlesford; the surviving keep is largely 15th-century and it was the principal seat of the FitzGerald Earls of Kildare for around seven centuries.
Nearest castle hotel · 33.16 km
Kilkea Castle
Castledermot, Co. Kildare · 4-star
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