Dunluce Castle

Places to See | Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland.

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The spectacular castle-crowned crag, on the famous north Antrim coast, was shaped when the sea cut deep into the rock.

Dunluce Castle, thought by many to be the most picturesque and romantic of Irish castles, was originally occupied by the MacQuillan family and later the MacDonnells. It was besieged by the British in the 16th Century.  An accord was eventually signed with the English monarch in the name of peace.

Part of the castle broke off and the kitchen plunged into the sea, during a storm one night in 1639, killing all the cooks and kitchen-hands. There remains a dark hollow where this part of the building stood.

Underlying the areas importance as one of the main historical sites in Northern Ireland, recent archaeological excavations have uncovered a well preserved merchant town surrounding the castle.  The portions excavated have been dated to the early 1600’s but they show that there was a street grid system and buildings had indoor toilets.

The castle is thought to be the inspiration for Cair Paravel in CS Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia

Dunluce Castle is one of the main family attractions on the North Antrim Coast.

Address: Dunluce Castle, 87 Dunluce Road, Bushmills, Co. Antrim BT57 8UY

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