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Clifden Castle, Ireland

Built in the mid 18th Century by John d'Arcy, founder of Clifden, Clifden Castle was only inhabited for 90 years before it began to fall to ruin. Abandoned in the 1840s and soon stripped bare of most of its valuables (this was around the time of the Great Potato Famine, after all), Clifden Castle is now a picturesque ruin overlooking the sea.

The castle is built in the Gothic Revival style, making it romantically medieval in appearance. Still more amusing (and even less historically accurate) are the standing stones that line the drive. While you may believe you are looking at ancient dolmens, don't be fooled. D'Arcy had these stones erected when he built the castle. For some truly ancient earthworks and stones, visit the Hill of Tara in County Meath.

Clifden Castle lies along the Sky Road, within walking/hiking distance of Clifden. If you are driving along the road, you can stop at an overlook to take some lovely pictures, or you can hike right down to the castle. The entrance is a large archway, and the walk to the castle is charming, if rather steep. You can enter the castle from the back garden, if you wish, although little more than the walls remain. The front entrance is inaccessible due to a steep drop.