With the dollar's rise against the euro over the past couple of weeks and the fact that the price of high-end properties in Europe are down by 25 to 40 percent from a years ago it could be that the Irish castle you’ve always dreamt of could actually be affordable.

Mark Harvey, a partner at real estate firm Knight Frank, spoke to CNBC about properties available in Europe. One of these was Lisselan Estate, in Clonakilty, County Cork.

Harvey explained that the property went on the market originally in June 2014 at €9 million ($9.7m). The price was then cut by €6.95 million ($7.5m) in December. That’s a drop of €5 million ($5.4m).

Given these striking figures we decided to take a look at what castles and large country estates are on the market in Ireland.

Belvelly Castle

Where: Cobh, County Cork

Price: $298,000 (€275,000)

Rooms: “Would sleep up to 12 people when converted.”

Features:

- Medieval fortified tower dating from the 13th century

- Landmark property on 0.25 acres

- Gross floor area of approximately 4200 square feet

- Panoramic views of the estuary and Belvelly Bridge

- 80 feet in height

- Includes battlements, the mullioned windows, the murder hole, the spiral stone staircase and old recesses and rooms

- Built by the Hodnett family and in later years fell into the hands of Queen Elizabeth’s favourite - Sir Walter Raleigh

Castle Curious

Where: Doonawanly, Castletownroche, County Cork

Price: $141.171 (€130,000)

Features:

- Built in 1847 by local eccentric craftsman Johnny Roche

- Occupies circa 1 acre on the shores of the Awbeg River

- Roughly 3 miles north of Castletownroche

- Measures 27-feet long, 17-feet broad and 45-feet high.

Ballindooley Castle

Where: Castlegar, County Galway

Price: $650,000 (€599,000)

Rooms: One double bedroom

Features:

- Constructed in the late 15th century, this Norman castle was probably built by the DeBurgo family

- The first written record of ownership was to Redmond Regough Burke

- 22 years ago the castle was purchased and refurbished, over the years, by an attorney from Chicago

- The castle measures approximately 3,400 square feet

- Sale includes all furniture, fixtures and fittings, curtains, drapes, window treatments, beds, tables, chairs, delph, right down to the last candlestick.

- Large main room suitable for family gatherings, parties, conferences, recitals, art exhibitions, etc.

- Rooftop access provides stunning views of the Galway countryside

Caherkinmonwee Castle

Where: Craughwell, County Galway

Price: Not provided

Rooms: Four bedrooms

Features:

- Built in 1450 the castle was restored over 10 years having laid empty for 200 years

- It stands on 3 acres of beautiful grounds with a river, trees, gardens and several outhouses.

- Outbuildings include garages, workshops, storage barns, and a converted out house with guest accommodation.

Beagh Castle

Where: River Shannon, Ballysteen, Co. Limerick

Price: $297,000 (€275,000)

Rooms: Not provided

Features:

- Built on 17 acres with extensive frontage onto the River Shannon

- Purchased in 1969 at auction by an Italian Count and his American wife

- Owned by the Knights of Glin and later by a Cromwellian called Sir Hardress Waller, the castle was used as a defensive outpost at the time of the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th Century and subsequently as a coastguard station (1835-1860)

Creagh House

Where: Ballinrobe, County Mayo

Price: Not provided

Rooms: 13 bedrooms, large reception rooms

Features:

- Built by Colonel Knox in 1875

- Sizeable period house of around 6,000 square feet on just under 2 acres

- Grounds are partially wooded with lawned areas around the house. The front of the house has magnificent views over the Tourmakeady mountains and from some aspects, to the lake.

Ballyfinboy Castle

Where: Borrisokane, County Tipperary

Price: $81,000 (€75,000)

Rooms: Not provided

Features:

- Built around 1480

- Located on around 2.5 acres of land

- Castle was constructed by the O'Kennedy Clan

- Original carving of a Sheila NaGig on the south east corner about 5 metres above the ground.

Central Part of Glanmore Castle

Where: Ashford, County Wicklow

Price: Not provided

Rooms: Four bedrooms, an entrance hall, an inner hall, a drawing room, a cloakroom, basement hallway, dining room, and a kitchen.

Features:

- Built in the mid 1700 and sympathetically redesigned in 1804 by the renowned architect Francis Johnston.

- Formerly the family home of the famous Irish playwright J.M. Synge

- Recently redecorated with great care taken to retain period features

H/T: FormerGlory / PremierPropertiesIreland.