Free Guided Tours of Ballyhack Castle

Free Guided Tours of Ballyhack Castle     
Discover a sense of the Middle Ages    

Ballyhack Castle stands in a commanding, imperious position on a steep-sided valley overlooking the Waterford Estuary. This sturdy five-storey tower house, built around 1450, is traditionally associated with the Knights Hospitaller of St John — one of the two great military orders born during the Crusades.

The Hospitallers, alongside the Knights Templar, embodied the fusion of monastic discipline and martial prowess that defined the Norman and post-Norman world. Their presence in Ireland reflects the enduring legacy of Norman enterprise, military innovation, and religious zeal that transformed the island from the late 12th century onwards.

Highlights of the Castle
- The walls survive complete to the wall walk, offering superb views over the estuary.
- A beautifully preserved small chapel is built into the north-east wall on the second floor, complete with piscina, aumbry, and altar.
- Defensive ingenuity abounds: the entrance is protected externally by a machicolation and internally by a murder hole, allowing defenders to rain down rocks, boiling water, hot sand, or oil on attackers.
- On display are striking replica suits of armour and equipment from the Crusades and the Norman era — guaranteed to ignite the imagination of visitors of all ages and connect them directly to the warriors and knights who shaped medieval Europe and Ireland.

Practical information 
Free admission
The castle is open from Mid-May to late August 2027
Guided tour duration: 1 hour 
Enquiries