A DERELICT STRUCTURE can be just as interesting and aesthetically pleasing to look at than examples of modern architecture.

Sites such as Clonmacnoise in Co Offaly and Wexford’s Castleboro House have become popular tourist attractions for a number of decades.

Here’s a selection of twelve stunning images showcasing the beautiful ruins around Ireland that you need to visit.  

1. Kinbane Castle, County Antrim 

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Kilbane Castle recommended by a local, great find, slightly off the tourist track . . . . #thisiswhywetravel #findnewplaces #notthenorm #coastalcauseway #kilbanecastle #ruins #NI #discovernorthernireland #wanderireland #rawireland #enchantedireland #100plussteps #mylittleadventurer #larkinsadventures #viewstodiefor #waterfalls #ballycastle #antrim #gonorth #irelandyouarebeautiful #lonelyplanet #inspireland_ #rawireland #irishcentral

A post shared by R A C H E L N Í LO R C A I N (@rachelklarkin) on Mar 19, 2018 at 1:27am PDT

2. Clonmacnoise, Co Offaly

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#clonmacnoise #ruins #monasticsettlement #ireland #irishcoast #beautifulireland #loveireland #irelandtourism

A post shared by Jeff Knudsen (@knudsenjm) on Sep 2, 2018 at 11:30am PDT

3. Coppinger’s Court, Co Cork 

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Coppinger's Court near Rosscarbery in County Cork. It was built by the wealthy merchant Sir Walter Coppinger some time around 1616. Local folklore states that the wealthy Sir Walter had the house constructed with a chimney for every month, a door for every week and a window for every day in the year. #coppingerscourt #cork #rosscarbery #countycork #ireland #heritage #visitireland #loveireland #loveireland🇮🇪 #ireland #history #folklore #archaeology #wildatlanticway #irisharchaeology #architechture #irishhistory #irishpassion #icu_ireland #ig_captures #ig_ireland #travel #castle #castlesarecool #castles_oftheworld #medieval #postmedieval

A post shared by Abarta Heritage (@abartaaudioguides) on Jun 16, 2016 at 12:26pm PDT

 4. Castle Roche, Co Louth 

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Roche Castle in natures own natural filter🍀⛰ #castles #rochecastle #colouth #ireland #discoverisland #instaireland #irish #explore #travel #sunset #nature #photography #home

A post shared by Laura Majella McGaga McKinley (@lauramajellamcgaga) on May 29, 2017 at 3:48am PDT

 5. Dunamase Castle, Co Laois  

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- ‘12th Century Rocks’ • Kodak Gold 200 35mm • The Rock of Dunamase • Portlaoise • Ireland

A post shared by Daniel Patrick Finley (@finleyonfilm) on Jul 9, 2018 at 11:49am PDT

6. Dunluce Castle, Co Antrim 

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Causaway Costal Route #dunlucecastle #northireland

A post shared by Edna Lost In Space (@vangrabschen) on Sep 12, 2018 at 11:18am PDT

7. Castleboro House, Co Wexford

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#castle #castleboro #beautifulireland ☘️

A post shared by Lisa Schrittwieser (@schrittwieserlisa) on Jun 13, 2018 at 1:31pm PDT

8. Old Mellifont Abbey, Co Louth 

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"The universe starts with your eyes closed" - 🍀🏰🍀 - #travel #travelgram #travels #ireland #failte #plane #traveler #trip #travellover #wanderer #wanderlusting #wanderlust #wanderland #dublin #irish #landscapes #wilderness #wildernessculture #mellifont #mellifontabbey #oldmellifontabbey #drogheda #boynevalley #celtic #ruins #irishlove

A post shared by ↟↟↟ Meadow. (@meadow_mac.tire) on Sep 6, 2016 at 11:21am PDT

9. Jerpoint Abbey, Co Kilkenny 

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#jerpointabbey #abbey #history #Ireland #museide

A post shared by Papageorgiou Twnia 🌻 (@papageorgiou_twnia) on Aug 20, 2018 at 1:51pm PDT

10. Castlelyons, Co Cork 

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"Uí Liatháin" #castle #castlelyons #wanderireland #irish_daily #irish_passion #raw_ireland #raw_country #visitireland #cork_daily #exploreireland #ancient #medieval #discoverireland #earth_shotz #earth_deluxe #igersireland #ig_underdogz #ig_ireland #irishcentral #pocket_ireland #loves_ireland #instaireland #withgalaxy #s8 #enchantedireland #green_irish_heart #natgeotravel #landscape_lover #lonelyplanet

A post shared by @ endastoryeire on Apr 12, 2018 at 9:37am PDT

11. Menlo Castle, Co Galway

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Cloudy day #travel #traveling #menlocastlegalway #vacation #visiting #instatravel #instago #instagood #trip #holiday #photooftheday #fun #travelling #tourism #tourist #instatraveling #mytravelgram #travelgram #travelingram #igtravel

A post shared by Eleonora Pesce (@lafish_) on Apr 12, 2017 at 11:44am PDT

12. Callan Augustinian Friary, Co Kilkenny 

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So peaceful along a river. #vacationtime #summerstooshort #irishhistory

A post shared by Joseph Alberga (@jalberga) on Jul 27, 2017 at 10:36am PDT

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