Dunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
The coast of Antrim is a rocky, rugged an desolote place and on one stack that juts into the Atlantic on the Causeway coast stands the ruins of Dunluce Castle.
Built in 16th Century for the MacDonnell family, although the outer walls are attributed to the being built for the MacQuillans in the 14th Century. The Castle was initially accessible by a draw bridge but now a permanent structure takes you the Scottish style gate house on the out crop which is actually on top of a cave which has been used as an underground harbour. There is a path leading down to the harbour so you can have a peek, but be careful if the sea is rough. Guest appartments and stables were built on the mainland, and the ruined outer walls of these are still in place today1.
The main part of the castle consists of a two storey structure2 of the main hall, with towers to the South East and North East corners. Also a walled kitchen garden to the north of the outcrop.
The main hall has two great fireplaces and was modernised with a series of bay windows to the Western Side.
The South East Tower contains archers firing positions both over towards the bridge and to cover the track up from the harbour below. The North East tower contains a trap door which allows quick escape should it be requires down to the harbour.
The walled Kitchen Garden had alway hung precariously to the Northern side, subject to the worst ravages of the north wind and sea. In 1639 part of this complex flew away into the sea, during dinner killing a number of the staff. From that time Dunluce has remained uninhabited as the MacDonnell family took up more secure residnece on the mainland.
The Castle is a National Trust property so is open all year around with the exception of Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Admission costs £1.50 for Adults. There is no tour guide at the site however all sections of the Castle are well described on plaques in the relevant areas. There is a gift shop with plenty of souveneirs and a very friendly staff who will be able to answer any queries you may have.
If you do visit Dunluce don't forget to travel to the Giants Causeway just 4 miles along the coast. And a little further along, near Ballycastle, the really daring can try the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.
