Imagine the ruins of a castle enthroned majestically on the craggy edge of a gigantic cliff. Add a magnificent ocean view, and you’ll know what to expect when you visit Dunluce Castle in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Of course, the picture makes you dream, and that’s often all it takes to create a world of legends around such a construction. Who knows, maybe the ghosts will be there…
Dunluce Castle – © Artur
Dunluce Castle dates back to the 13th century. Around this time, Richard Óg de Burgh had a first version of the castle built. Built on the edge of the cliffs, the building is strategically placed to monitor the ocean and approaching ships. Solid but basic, the first construction is unfortunately poorly documented, and would evolve considerably over the following centuries.
It was in 1513, when the castle passed into the hands of the McQuillan family, that Dunluce Castle began to acquire the buildings we know today. The building is equipped with 2 large towers, giving them a 360° view of the surrounding area.
The family then occupied the castle until the 16th century, when they lost the castle in a battle with the MacDonald clan of Antrim and Dunnyveg of Scotland. The head of the clan then decided to make it his personal residence and improved the castle.
On the death of the chief, the English captured Dunluce Castle in 1584, under the command of Sorley Bob MacDonnell. They decided to fortify the castle even further. The castle’s style gradually changed, and it finally took on the characteristics of a Scottish castle.
Dunluce castle – © Pecold
In 1588, a ship named “La Girona” belonging to the Invincible Aramada was wrecked below. It was then decided to salvage the cannons and arm the castle. The rest of the ship’s cargo was sold, and used to restore Dunluce Castle.
Alas, it wasn’t enough. In 1639, the château was caught in a terrible storm. Several rooms, including the kitchen, collapsed and crashed into the ocean, leaving behind numerous ruins and other remnants of the castle. The loss of life was considerable: many employees lost their lives in the fall. (According to legend, only one kitchen boy survived, having sat in the only corner of the kitchen that hadn’t collapsed).
Faced with this disaster, the owners of Dunluce Castle decided to abandon the site, considering it too dangerous.
Since then, Dunluce Castle has been completely deserted, deteriorating with the passage of time and the corrosion of the sea air. Today, it has become an ultra-tourist attraction, attracting crowds from all over the world.
The phenomenon has gained even more momentum since it was used as the setting for the HBO series Game of Thrones (it was presented as the Greyjoy house). Digitally reconstructed, it has fascinated millions of spectators, ready to buy a ticket to Northern Ireland to see it for real.
Since then, its tourist appeal has made it one of the country’s most popular attractions!
A Banshee in the heart of the Irish night – © Declan Hillman
In Ireland, we love supernatural stories and legends of all kinds! And Dunluce Castle is no exception.
The building is also shrouded in mysterious tales, including that of a strange banshee. The story begins with Maeve Roe, daughter of Lord MacQuillan, then master of the castle.
Maeve was promised to Richard Oge, a man she didn’t love… And for good reason: she was actually in love with someone else: an Irishman by the name of Reginald O’Cahan.
To force her into this union, the girl was locked in the turret of Dunluce Castle. But Reginald O’Cahan, determined to free her, went to the castle, climbed up to the turret and managed to break her out.
The couple board a boat, determined to reach Portrush…
Unfortunately, a terrible storm hits, battering their frail boat. The couple perished in the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean… and Maeve’s body was never found.
Since that day, legend has it that a young woman could be heard screaming in pain from the top of the north-east tower of Dunluce Castle. Since that day, locals have liked to say that it was Maeve who was transformed into the mythological creature Banshee.
The Irish taste for macabre tragedies is clearly evident!
Dunluce castle – © Dawid
Dunluce Castle is open to visitors all year round. But be warned, parking nearby is ridiculously small.
Avoid going there during busy periods: otherwise you won’t be able to park.
The best place to park your car is in the Magheracross parking lot to the east of the castle, near the other tourist attraction, “The Wishing Arch”.
You’ll have to cross a bridge to get there and discover the ruins that have withstood the ravages of time.
A true piece of history, the castle is one of Northern Ireland’s greatest cultural and historical treasures.
To this day, some of the ramparts, turrets and other rooms are still standing. You can visit them from both inside and outside to admire their architecture.
Don’t miss the cannons inside the enclosure, taken from the Girona, a Spanish warship which sank off the Irish coast in 1588.
There’s also a cave under the cliff, which was once used to hide ships… This cave can be visited at an additional cost.
Allow a good hour to visit the area. The castle is grandiose, with breathtaking ocean views and a captivating history.
Dunluce Castle has the advantage of being located in an area teeming with exceptional tourist attractions. Among them, don’t hesitate to discover :
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