Dunluce Castle - 028 2073 1938

Dunluce Castle is a now-ruined medieval castle in Northern Ireland. It is located on the edge of a basalt outcropping in County Antrim (between Portballintrae and Portrush), and is accessible via a bridge connecting it to the mainland. The castle is surrounded by extremely steep drops on either side, which may have been an important factor to the early Christians and Vikings who were drawn to this place where an early Irish fort once stood.Protected statusDunluce Castle is in the care of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. It is a Monument in State Care sited in the townland of Dunluce, in Coleraine Borough Council area, at grid ref: C9048 4137. The earthworks, adjacent to Dunluce Castle, are a Scheduled Historic Monument, at grid ref: area of C905 412.HistoryIn the 13th century, Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster, built the first castle at Dunluce.It is first documented in the hands of the McQuillan family in 1513. The earliest features of the castle are two large drum towers about in diameter on the eastern side, both relics of a stronghold built here by the McQuillans after they became lords of the Route.

Tags: Historical Place