Dunluce Castle

This is a castle on the coast. It is significantly built on a single massive outcropping of stone, so that it is effectively surrounded by a deep gorge in place of a moat, and accessible only by way of a tapering courtyard and a bridge that was at one time a drawbridge.

 The site was a Christian, Viking and then Norman fort location, and became a castle in the 1200’s.  It was last occupied by the MacDonalds of Antrim.  Its gatehouse is defended by several cannon salvaged from one of the ships of the Spanish Armada wrecked on the coast.  Aside from appropriating the cannon, the clan chief sold off the contents and used the cash to finance renovations and improvements to the castle .  Game of Thrones fans may recognize the House of Greyjoy, and Narnia fans may know that the castle was an inspiration for Cair Paravel.  Views from the castle are spectacular.

 It was abandoned shortly after a partial collapse in 1639, The wife of the then-current occupant never liked the place, having been married off by order of James I and removed from her London origins, and is said to have complained mightily and hourly about the constant sounds of the sea and surf around the location, finally getting her way and a ride back to London after the collapse — sort of a Green Acres story. 

   Recent excavations have discovered the nearby village of Dunluce.  We didn’t have much time here, as it closes at 4 PM, so we didn’t have a chance to explore the visitor’s center and narratives.