Dunluce Castle (10)

[Ptarmigan]

Dunluce Castle



Dunluce Castle ~ YouTube Video

This late-medieval and 17th-century castle is dramatically sited, on a headland dropping sheer into the sea on the north Antrim Coast. It creates an exciting image of danger and adventure backed up by its history. It was first documented in McQuillan hands, in 1513, and later became the stronghold of the McDonnells, Earls of Antrim and Lords of the Isles.

Dunluce Castle ~ Environment & Heritage Service

The Castle of Dunluce is picturesquely situated on the sea coast about three miles east of Portrush. The name, however, shows that the site was utilised as a place of defence long before the erection of any castle there. The prefix '' Dun " indicates a large fort, residence of a king or leading chief, and " Dunluce " is variously interpreted as " the fort of the sea-sprite (or mermaid) " or " the strong fort." This isolated and precipitous rock, separated by a deep chasm from the mainland, and almost surrounded by a sea seldom peaceful, would be practically impregnable before the use of artillery.

Dunluce Castle ~ HMSO 1947

The limestone cliffs of the White Rocks ends abruptly against a dark basalt outcrop which is majestically crowned by Dunluce Castle and joined to the mainland by an arched walkway, underneath lies the ' Mermaid's Cave'. It is believed that the castle was built or (possibly) rebuilt by Richard de Burgh or one of his chief followers during the Anglo Norman period in Ireland. The site certainly was occupied as a fort before this time, a souterrain exists on the outcrop under one of the towers. The castle which has seen many additions to its original structure over the centuries gradually fell into disuse from the late 1600s' when the last occupier, Randall MacDonnell, the second Earl of Antrim moved to Ballymagarry House.

Dunluce Castle ~ North Antrim

It appears by old writings that this ancient castle of Dunluce -Dun Lois (strong fort)-was an ancient Celtic stronghold previous to Norman times. It stands on an isolated rock about 100 feet above the sea, exposed to the fierce Atlantic gales for hundreds of years. It is perhaps the most picturesque ruin in Ireland.

Dunluce Castle ~ Books of Ulster

Dunluce Castle is one of the most extensive ruins of a medieval castle in Northern Ireland. It is located on the edge of a basalt outcropping in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and is arcessible via a bridge connecting it to the mainland. It is between Portballintrae and Portrush. The castle is dramatically surrounded by terrifyingly steep drops either side, which would have been a very important factor to the early Christians and Vikings who were drawn to this place where an early Irish fort once stood.

Dunluce Castle ~ Wikipedia

Dunluce Castle is sited dramatically close to the edge of a headland, along the North Antrim coast. Surrounded by jaw dropping coastal scenery, this medieval castle stands where an early Irish fort was once built and where its history can be traced back to early Christians and Vikings. Visit and take a peek at medieval Irish life!

Dunluce Castle ~ Discover Northern Ireland

Like something out of a Tolkien fantasy, the ruins of Dunluce Castle have a desolate, awe-inspiring grandeur as they rise dramatically from a precipitous basaltic rock standing over a hundred-feet sheer above the wild and chill northern sea. Separated from the mainland by a deep chasm crossed only by a narrow bridge and penetrated below by a long cave, this precarious rocky outcrop occupied a position of great strategic importance that was fought over for centuries, eventually becoming, in the sixteenth century, the principal stronghold of the McDonnells, "Lords of the Isles" and rulers of far-flung territories along the western Scottish seaboard.

Dunluce Castle ~ Irelands Eye

Dunluce Castle has been a site of historic battles, a movie (Jackie Chan's - The Medallion) and a tragic fable. Despite all this, the magnificent views alone are enough reason to make Dunluce a stop on your visit.

Dunluce Castle ~ Travels in Ireland

The ruins of Dunluce Castle, located on the North Antrim coast, stand on a 100ft high basalt stack with a sea cave underneath. The cave is acecessable both by land and sea as it runs underneath the castle. . The ruins as seen today are breathtaking, even roofless the remains portray the air of strength this site commanded and before the advent of gunpowder would have been almost impossible to conquer.

Dunluce Castle ~ Emerald Tiger