Dunluce Castle is located in on the edge of a basalt outcropping in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is now in ruins, but it is open to the public. The basalt outcropping is very steep, and drops off on all sides of the castle, which was helpful in defending the castle from attacks.
The castle was built by Richard de Burgh, the second Earl of Ulster, sometime in the 13th century. It was held by my family while they were the Lords of the Route. In the late 16th century, they lost two major battles to the MacDonalds, and were displaced from the castle. However, the earliest features of the castle, two 9-meter drum towers, are still standing from the McQuillan stronghold.
At one point, part of the kitchen next to the cliff face collapsed into the sea, after which the wife of the owner refused to live in the castle any longer. According to a legend, when the kitchen fell into the sea only a kitchen boy survived, as he was sitting in the corner of the kitchen which did not collapse (Wikipedia). The castle was the seat of the Earl of Antrim until 1690, when the MacDonalds became impoverished. It has deteriorated since that time.
Dunluce Castle has made several appearances in popular culture, from being featured as album art for bands such as Led Zeppelin and Jandek, to appearing in movies such as The Medallion, starring Jackie Chan.
I was fascinated that there were members of my family, however distant, who once lived in a castle. I have always wanted to visit Ireland, and someday if I get that chance, I hope to visit and explore Dunluce Castle.
Dunluce Castle
