Dungarvan Castle (or King John's Norman Castle) is an Anglo-Norman fortification founded in 1185. by Prince John. It was built in a very strategic site at the mouth of the River Colligan.  It is one of the few royal castles built in Ireland in the 1200s.

During the Irish Civil War the barracks were taken by the IRA forces who set fire to it before leaving in August 1922. With the foundation of the Garda Siochana in 1922 the building was restored and used as the local Garda Station until 1987. After 1987 the castle fell into disrepair again, but under the management by Dúchas. 

The castle consists of a polygonal shell keep with an enclosing curtain wall, a corner tower and a gate tower. The shell keep is the earliest structure, dating from the 12th century. Shell keeps are common in England, but rare in Ireland. Inside the curtain wall is a two storey military barracks, which dates from the first half of the 18th century.  The barracks is now restored and houses an informative exhibition with an audio vision.

Opening Hours

• 28th May - 25th September: Daily 10.00 - 18.00
  Last admission 45 minutes before closing.