Dunluce Castle

Dunluce Castle is on the edge of a rocky island in Country Antrim.  It is accessible by a bridge connecting it to the main land. The castle is surrounded by extremely steep drops on either side, which may have been why early Christians and Vikings were drawn to this place where an early Irish fort once stood. 

Here is a picture I found on the internet showing the aerial view of Duncluce Castle:

In the late 1100's, the Normans established the first buildings of Dunluce. The castle grew over the next 600 years - domestic and defensive. The castle remained in the hands of various Irish landlords until the late 17th century. Sorley McDonnell captured the castle from the McQuillan family. The McDonnell's transformed the castle by building a manor house inside the castle walls. 

The view from the parking lot 

WeeCottage - Wee is used a lot in the north. They have a different
accent that has a lot of Scottish influence. Everything is wee little, wee road, wee pint, wee tea!

Caves under the castle

In 1588, the castle benefitted from the disaster of the Spanish Armada. Because the ships were blown off-course - one of the treasure ships was wrecked near the Giant's Causeway. McDonnell, who was then the owner of the castle, pulled out four cannons from the remains of the ship. He then built these cannons into the gatehouses and sold the rest of the cargo. He used these funds to restore the castle. This shipwreck was excavated in 1967, and there were loads of gold and silver recovered which is now located in the Ulster Museum. 

McDonnell family crest 

This was part of the lodgings where visitors would stay. The inner wall has collapsed, but this was divided into small rooms each with a fireplace and window. 

This was the gallery room for the visitors

The bridge over to the castle and the gatehouse

View from the gallery room before crossing over the bridge to the castle

In 1639, on a stormy night dinner was interrupted as half of the kitchen fell into the sea and took the servants with it. That was the last straw for the lady of the castle. The countess of Antrim packed up and moved inland, and the castle was left abandoned.  The castle served as the seat of the Earl of Antrim until the impoverishment of the McDonnells in 1690, after the Battle of the Boyne. 

Walking over the bridge to the Gatehouse

M is standing in the kitchen - to the right is a fence where the rest of it fell into the ocean

The inner ward of the castle

The castle did remain in the hands of the Earls of Antrim until 1928. The McDonnell family then handed it over under a deed of guardianship to the Northern Irish Environment Agency. This agency now runs it as a visitor attraction and historic monument. 

One of the towers

 T was on a scavenger hunt tour of the castle

The oven from the kitchen

Entrance to the tower

This was part of the Manor House. You can see the big fireplace
in front of Joe and the bay windows are on the right side. 

View looking back at the lodgings and stables. On the
left side is a brewhouse. Yes…they even had a brewhouse. 

We LOVE medieval history!

Its great to have M with us so we get lots of family pictures!

I love CASTLES!!

View from the parking lot

Next and final stop: The Giant's Causeway