Richard Óg de Burgh, the 2nd Earl of Ulster, built the original Dunluce Castle in the 13th century. The first major features of the castle were two large drum towers on the eastern side, remnants of a stronghold built by the McQuillans in the early 1500s.
Over the years, the castle became home to the MacDonnell Clan of Antrim, and later to John Mor MacDonald, the 6th chief of Clan Donald. In 1584, after John Mor's passing, Sorley Boy MacDonnell seized the castle, renovated it in the Scottish style, and made it the official seat of the MacDonnell Clan. His son, Randal, was made the 1st Earl of Antrim by King James I.
The castle has ties to the Spanish Armada, too. The Girona, a ship from the fleet, was wrecked off Lacada Point in 1588. The ship's cannons were later placed in the castle’s gatehouses, and the wreck’s cargo helped fund restoration efforts.
Dunluce served as the seat of the Earl of Antrim until 1690, after the Battle of the Boyne when the MacDonnells sided with the losing side. From then, the castle slowly fell into disrepair, with some of its materials being repurposed for nearby buildings.
Dunluce Castle Game of Thrones
The castle has become a tourist hotspot, not only for the stunning views on offer but also for its recent fame as the setting for the iconic show Game of Thrones. It was used as the Seat of House Greyjoy, the great castle of Pyke.
- Dunluce Castle Information -
The MacDonnells fell on hard times after the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 and the castle fell into disrepair shortly after. Today its serves as a tourist location, offering stunning views over the ocean
