castles historical antrim

Shanes Castle, the family seat of the O'Neills of Clanaboy, is magnificently situated at the North East corner of Lough Neagh with commanding views over the length and breadth of the Lough. Although the castle has been in ruins since the fire of 1816, the remaining structure including a unique Camellia House is a substantial feature in the landscape.

There has been a Feral herd of fallow deer at Shanes Castle for many years. Shanes Castle Demesne is one of the most beautiful and well...

Carrickfergus Castle the finest best preserved Norman castle in Ireland, dominates the town. John de Courcy, first Earl of Ulster, built the castle in the late 12th century, and for five centuries thereafter it was the seat of English power in the North. After serving as a prison in the 18th century, the castle was used as a magazine and armoury until 1928. Today life-like models depict stirring events in its 800-year history.

De Courcy also built the parish church of St. Nicholas,...

Dunseverick Castle is now only one massive wall on the very edge of a cliff. Dunserverick was the north end of the oldest road in Ireland, where the Celts in prehistoric times crossed to and from Scotland....

It's entered by a gate-house, with corbelled turrets of Scottish type. To the right on entering are the pillars of a unique open loggia in the Italian style, which must have become redundant when the Great Hall was built up against it early in the 17th century. This two-storeyed hall, with fine (partially reconstructed) windows to the west, is a gracious building with finely moulded stones at parapet level which once supported the long-vanished roof. Beyond are kitchens and domestic quarters,...

Castle Upton Estate comprises a unique double yard by Robert Adam which dates to 1793; Lady Kinahan's Art Gallery and Templetown Mausoleum. Part of the house dates from 1100. 3 acre garden grounds; including small lake with varied waterfowl....

The castle itself was built of a contrastingly dark basalt by Colla Dubh MacDonnell in 1547. The most prominent feature is the two-storey gabled tower guarding the entrance to a walled enclosure occupying much of the southern half of the island.

The castle was taken and partially destroyed by the English in 1555, but it remained in use for some considerable time afterwards. The walk up and down the steep pathway leading to the castle affords a wonderful panorama of Rathlin Island, wit...

Thought to have been built in the 13th century, it was occupied by Sir James McDonnell and burnt by Shane O'Neill in 1565. Though rebuilt by Sorley Boy McDonnell it later fell into disuse....

The first 'Belfast Castle' was built by the Normans in the late 12th century. On the same site a stone and timber castle was erected in 1611. This home of Sir Arthur Chichester, baron of Belfast, was burned down in 1708 leaving only street names (eg Castle Place) to mark this site....

Family seat of the O'Neills at Clanaboy. The Demesne and nature reserve is one of the most beautiful and well maintained in Ireland. Bookings by appointment....

A landmark dominating land and sea which has for centuries been the gateway to Northern Ireland....