Ormond Castle - Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, Ireland

Ormond Castle is the finest example of an Elizabethan manor house in Ireland, sitting on the banks of the River Suir in the small town of Carrick-on-Suir.

The original castle was acquired by the Butler family in 1315, but the structure that draws visitors today is the Tudor manor house built in 1565 by Thomas, 10th Earl of Ormond, in honor of his distant cousin Queen Elizabeth I.

What you'll see: The manor's state rooms feature exceptional stucco plasterwork, including portraits of Queen Elizabeth and her brother Edward VI, along with Tudor motifs and emblems. The long gallery stretches nearly the full length of the building and is the highlight. Behind the manor house, two medieval towers from the 1450s survive from the earlier fortress.

Visitor essentials: Admission for the full house tour, exhibition, and audio visual is €5 for adults, €3 for children/students, and €13 for families. An OPW Heritage Card covers entry while the manor house is accessible by guided tour only, with tours running at set times throughout the day. If you're interested in joining a guided tour, I'd suggest inquiring in advance.

Check out updated hours and pricing here.

Tips: There is a free car park just outside the castle. Accessibility within the manor house is limited due to the historic layout. Carrick-on-Suir is about 30 minutes from Waterford, 45 minutes from Kilkenny, and just over two hours from Dublin.

Combine this stop with an afternoon cycling on the Suir Blueway, lunch at the Carraig Hotel or a stop at the Tudor Artisan Hub in town.