Historic Environment
87 Dunluce Road
Bushmills
Antrim
BT57 8UY

Additional information

Open to the public:

During opening hours (please check DiscoverNI website, charges may apply)

Grid reference:
C9046041370
SM number:
ANT 002:003

About Dunluce Castle

The iconic ruin of Dunluce Castle bears witness to a long and tumultuous history. First built on the dramatic coastal cliffs of north County Antrim by the MacQuillan family around 1500, the earliest written record of the castle was in 1513.

It was seized by the ambitious MacDonnell clan in the 1550s, who set about stamping their mark on the castle under the leadership of the famous warrior chieftain Sorely Boy MacDonnell during an era of violence, intrigue and rebellion.

In the 17th century Dunluce was the seat of the earls of Antrim and saw the establishment of a small town in 1608. Visitors can explore the findings of archaeological digs within the cobbled streets and stone merchants’ houses of the long-abandoned Dunluce Town.

The dramatic history of Dunluce is matched by tales of a banshee and how the castle kitchens fell into the sea one stormy night in 1639.

Did you know? Carers go free to this site.

Other historic places you can visit:
Love Heritage NI

Dunluce Castle
Dunluce Castle
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