Castle in Western Ireland

For your route Blarney and Bunratty are the two most easily visited castles. Blarney was crowded but I thought it was worth going to. I did not get in the line to kiss the blarney stone, wasn't interested. That's the longest line. Not sure if that's of interest to you. I've not been to Bunratty but it looks interesting.

Not interested in kissing the Blarney Stone either. It looks like a great castle, am glad to hear it's doable! Will look into Bunratty. Thanks!

Bunratty Castle is probably what you are looking for. It is very old (I'm not sure of the age, but I'd guess info on line could tell you), but it seems very authentic to what a really old Irish castle would look like in the way of furnishing and use. Also, the Bunratty Folk Park, right there at the Castle is (as my Irish cousin put it) is probably the most authentic look of what life would have been like for my grandmother growing up in the 1800s.

If you would like to stay in a lovely, restored castle, Ashford Castle in Cong, Ireland is absolutely lovely and first-class in every way. Not inexpensive by any means, but really worth the splurge.

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is one of the major tourist attractions in Western Ireland. The Castle is genuine and no doubt very little different today than in it's early years. The Folk Park is on the Castle grounds and is a recreation of a typical 1850's Irish Village. It's all very interesting. There is also evening entertainment within the complex with the Medieval Dinner and/or the Irish Night at the Corn Barn...which are both great fun and good food. Durty Nellie's Pub is adjacent to the Castle Grounds and has quite a history in it's own right. Lodging is available just across the street at the Bunratty Castle hotel. The hotel sits within a sort of complex of stores, cafes and pubs.
If you have interest in experiencing an overnight stay in a castle, the magnificent Dromoland Castle Resort is only ten or so minutes from Bunratty and features beautiful grounds; a great golf course and many other activities. Hotel rates in Ireland seem to change hourly but IIRC we paid around 400 euro per night last July for the Dromoland. The 5* world class Ashford Castle is about a two hour drive north of Bunratty and was asking 599 euro per night last July. It's one of the top 5 hotels in the world so it's darn well worth it if budget and time allow. Pierce Brosnan and many other notables had their weddings there. It's also adjacent to the little village of Cong where the outdoor scenes of the 1952 movie "The Quiet Man" with Maureen Ohara; John Wayne and Ward Bond was filmed.

Bunratty is only 30 minutes or so north of Limerick so somewhat handy for a morning flight out.

Thanks Charlie! I may look into staying at a castle whilst there. Glad to find one so close to Limerick!