Rathfarnham Castle
The date of the foundation of the castle is uncertain, but research would suggest 1583 as the most likely date. The castle was built by Adam Loftus, an ambitious Yorkshire clergyman, who came to Ireland as chaplain to the Lord Deputy and quickly rose to become Archbishop of Dublin, Lord Chancellor of Ireland and was closely involved in the establishment of Trinity College. The castle has a very colourful and interesting history and visitors can view fine 18th century interiors by Sir William Chambers and James 'Athenian' Stuart. The castle is presented as a castle undergoing conservation and visitors can see tantalizing glimpses of layers of the castle's earlier existence uncovered during research.
