Dramatically perched on a cliff overlooking the sea in Northern Ireland, Dunluce Castle is undoubtedly one of the finest castles in Ireland. But the great slopes that surround the castle on all sides still could not protect it from being conquered by the fearsome MacDonnell clan.
Unfortunately, the castle was so precariously perched that the kitchen literally fell into the sea during a particularly strong storm and the beautiful 16th-century structure was abandoned. Yet even in its ruined state, or perhaps because of it, Dunluce Castle has been used in movies and TV shows that seek to show off incredible scenery and a bit of drama.
Here is how to visit and what to see at Dunluce Castle.
Story
The first written record of Dunluce Castle dates back to 1513, although the foreboding structure was probably built a few years earlier around 1500. The castle perched on a cliff in what is now northern County Antrim was built by the McQuillan family. , but they were unable to hold on to their dramatic castle for long.
In the 1550s, the MacDonnell family took over Dunluce Castle. The castle was conquered by the famous Scottish clan chief, Sorley Boy. Because Dunluce is surrounded by large slopes on each side, the warlord had to get an accomplice inside. He arranged for the heavily armed soldiers to stop in attack position by being lifted into a basket that hung on the side of the cliff.
The MacDonnells reinforced their newly acquired castle and most of the walls and towers that still stand were built on the orders of Sorley Boy.
In the 17th century, Dunluce Castle was being used as the seat of the Earls of County Antrim and a small town grew up around the castle in 1608.
Sadly, Dunluce’s stunning clifftop scenery wasn’t without its risks. In 1639, the castle kitchen fell into the sea when the land below the unfortunate room eroded and fell into the ocean. Local legend says that all the cooks and servants were lost along with this part of the house, except for one boy who was on his way to work when the kitchen disappeared in front of his eyes.
After the collapse, Dunluce Castle was abandoned to the elements, and storms in Northern Ireland soon took their toll. Only a few stone walls remain today.
Although Dunluce Castle is in ruins, it is still enough to inspire real dreams. In its most recent history, it has been used as a movie filming location and even served as the House of Greyjoy in Game of Thrones .
What to see
Dunluce Castle is in ruins and has not been restored. However, this badass state adds to the overall atmosphere of the castle. Instead of formal displays, the artifacts are displayed in glass cases, tied with velvet, between the ruined walls.
You will be given a brochure to guide you around the castle and you can also stop to read historical plaques as you tour the main grounds. To learn more about the castle, the small visitor center has a short video and some interactive exhibits aimed at younger visitors.
The main attraction is the castle itself, which is only accessible via a narrow bridge leading to its location on the cliff. Once there, you can tour the ruins and enjoy the spectacular views of the sea.
There are also useful free application available for iPhone and Android, which uses computer – generated images (CGI) to show how the castle would have looked in the 16th and 17th centuries. It is ideal to help you better imagine what the now ruined structure looked like. (The app needs to be updated for newer devices).
Finally, parking is available near the visitor center, as well as a small tea room called Creatively Wee Café for snacks and drinks.
Place and how to visit
Dunluce Castle is located on the Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland. The castle is located about 5 km from the town of Portrush, and all coastal buses stop at this important landmark. The castle is a short drive from Bushmills – just put 87 Dunluce Road into your map app to find it on the A2.
Dunluce Castle is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day (December 25 and 26). You can purchase tickets to access the site when you arrive, but note that the last entry is at 4:30 pm
What else to do nearby
Located beneath the ruins of Dunluce Castle is a sea cave known as the Mermaid’s Cave. The rocky tunnel is a natural phenomenon, but it was probably once used to escape and attack the castle. It acts as a kind of tunnel leading to the waves, but is almost invisible from above.
One of the best things to see in Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway, is just a short drive away. The natural wonder is a World Heritage site made up of 40,000 stone columns that were formed thanks to volcanic activity just 60 million years ago.
Plan ahead and pre-book a ticket to cross the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, a little further up the Antrim coast. The exhilarating walkway links the mainland with a small island that was once a major outpost for salmon fishermen.
