Fancy a look at a craggy old ruin?
Perched on a rugged clifftop over the wild Atlantic Ocean, Dunluce Castle is without a doubt one of the most romantic ruins in all of Northern Ireland.
The medieval stronghold seems straight out of a fantasy tale. It’s no wonder it has sparked the imaginations of countless writers, poets, and artists through the ages.
Today, Dunluce Castle is a beloved stop along the Causeway Coast, drawing in throngs of visitors eager to experience its enchantment firsthand.
And for fans of Game of Thrones, this ancient ruin holds a special allure! Yes, it did serve as a filming location for the iconic series, inspiring Greyjoy Castle.
Here’s a guide to visiting Dunluce Castle and discovering its role in Game of Thrones lore.
History & Legends
Dunluce Castle was first built in the 13th century by Richard Óg de Burgh, father-in-law to the famous Scottish lord Robert the Bruce.
Dunluce literally translates to “fort of the fort.” The castle has a turbulent history filled with bloody-handed warlords and colorful characters.
In the 16th century, the McQuillan family, once the powerful “Lords of the Route,” controlled the castle.
But their reign ended when the fierce Sorley Boy (somehow fittingly pronounced “surly”) MacDonnell defeated them in battle.
The MacDonnells then claimed Dunluce as their stronghold. Sorley Boy aligned himself with Queen Elizabeth I, and his son, Randall, became the 1st Earl of Antrim.
Sorley Boy reigned supreme until William of Orange won the Battle of the Boyne. Afterward, the fortunes of the MacDonnell family declined, leading to the eventual abandonment of Dunluce Castle.
Apart from the gnarly warlords, Dunluce is also shrouded in myths and legend. One such tragic tale involves Maeve Roe, the daughter of Lord McQuillan.
She was forbidden to marry her true love from a rival clan, Reginald O’Cahan, and locked away in a tower.
But Reginald rescued her in gallant fashion and they set sail in a small boat. Alas, their valiant efforts came to naught. A wicked storm capsized the boat, and the pair were drowned in the icy waters.
Maeve’s spirit, known as the “banshee” of Dunluce, is said to wail through the ruins on stormy nights.
Her cries are even believed to have even foretold the collapse of the castle’s great hall. Visitors today still report ghostly encounters, all adding to the castle’s eerie allure.
Game of Thrones Connection
If you’re a fan of Game of Thrones, Northern Ireland is really the place to be. About 70% of the epic fantasy show was filmed here.
(If you’re not a fan, your holiday companion is likely to drag you to the filming locations, whether you feckin’ want to or not.)
There are more official GOT tours on offer than nudie scenes in the movie. Some tours leave from Belfast, other tours leave from Dublin.
Dunluce Castle is one such GOT filming location. The castle served as the inspiration for Castle Greyjoy, the seat of House Greyjoy.
You first see it when Theon Greyjoy arrives at his ancestral home of Pyke to persuade his father, Balon, to help Robb Stark with the war.
The show’s creators were drawn to Dunluce’s dramatic location —perched on the edge of a cliff — which perfectly matched the harsh and rugged image they wanted for the Iron Islands.
In Game of Thrones, Castle Greyjoy is depicted as a bleak, imposing fortress, mirroring the unforgiving nature of the Ironborn who live there.
While Dunluce Castle’s real-life ruins provided a strong visual foundation, the show’s creators used CGI to enhance the castle’s appearance. You may hardly recognize it!
They added elements like towering, jagged spires to make Castle Greyjoy appear even more formidable and isolated.
The CGI also extended the cliffs and the surrounding ocean, giving the impression that the castle was more treacherously perched than in reality.
Guide To Dunluce Castle: What To See
To begin your visit, head to the exhibition, which offers a detailed look into the history of Dunluce Castle.
Both the castle and the surrounding town are now in ruins. But this exhibit provides valuable insight into what the area once looked like and the lives of those who resided there.
The exhibition includes a short, engaging video that explains how the castle was constructed, the fierce rivalry between the MacDonnell and McQuillan clans, and the eventual decline that led to its current state.
You’ll also find a range of artifacts uncovered during excavations, along with a reconstructed model that showcases the castle and town as they were in their prime.
Cross the footbridge to enter the first part of Dunluce Castle’s ruins.
The Great Hall, once the heart of the MacDonnell clan gatherings, was where they ran their operations and held grand feasts. Though it’s drafty now, it used to be warm with roaring fires and tapestries lining the walls.
Nearby, the kitchen served up meals for the lords and guests. You can still see the remains of the large fireplace and oven, crucial for cooking and heating.
Explore the towers too, including one where poor Maeve was once held prisoner, and don’t miss the ruins of the chapel.
Beneath the castle, the cellars were essential for storing food and supplies, especially during long sieges. These underground chambers were a lifeline in tough times.
As you dodder about, take in the stunning views from the castle. Before you leave, be sure to visit the gift shop for a souvenir.
Afterward, exit through the entrance and follow the path down the cliffside steps. The 115 steps take you 82 feet down to a breathtaking viewpoint overlooking the coastline.
From here, you’ll stand beneath the bridge that leads to the castle above. The views are incredible.
Finally, you can either head back to the car park or extend your adventure to the nearby Mermaid Cave. If it’s high tide, I don’t advise venturing inside.
Tips For Visiting Dunluce Castle
Where Is It & How To Get There
Dunluce Castle is 58 miles from Belfast, which is just over a 1 hour drive. The castle is just 5 miles away from the Giant’s Causeway or 15 minutes by car.
The exact address is: 87 Dunluce Rd, Bushmills, BT57 8UY.
There’s only a tiny parking lot, which is free. If you’re visiting in high season, it will likely be full. This is a popular castle.
There are guided day tours from Dublin that include the Dunluce Castle as part of a full-day itinerary. (But you won’t get to go inside.)
You can also book a day tour from Belfast.
Hours
The castle is open every day of the year except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Opening hours are seasonal. The castle is usually open from February to November from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm and 9:30 am to 4:00 pm in December and January.
I suggest arriving when it opens or in the late afternoon. You can’t go inside then, but sunrise and sunset will yield some great photos.
Tickets
Tickets are £6.00 euros for adults and £4.00 for children 5-17. Your ticket gives you access to the ruins, village, and exhibition.
Pro Tips
I would allow about an hour for your visit. There are rest rooms onsite, but no cafe.
The best place to see the castle is from the Causeway Coast Road.
You can’t miss the spot. It’s a big viewing area just down the road a bit, full of tourist buses and cars.
The beautiful beach you can see from the castle is called Whiterocks Beach. This sweet stretch of sand is known for its stunning limestone cliffs and unique rock formations. Take a walk and enjoy the scenic views.
Just 10-15 minutes further down the road is the UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway, a must visit. It’s one of only a handful of geological formations of its kind in the world.
Nearby GOT Filming Locations
If you need other GOT filming locations, no bother! There are loads of other spots right nearby, to relive your GOT fantasies and walk in the footsteps of your favorite characters, including:
- the dramatic 18th century row of beech trees known as Dark Hedges (served as Kingsroad in Kings landing)
- Cairncastle (several appearances, including when Ned Stark executes a deserter)
- Cushendun Caves (where Melisandre gave birth to the shadow assassin)
- Murlough Bay (where Jon Snow meets Daenerys’ dragons and for scenes in the Iron Islands)
- Fair Head (the cliffs were used for the landscapes of Dragonstone)
- Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge (a suspension bridge which inspired the rope bridges of Castle Greyjoy)
I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to Dunluce Castle. You may find these other UK travel guides useful:
- 1 day in Belfast itinerary
- 3 days in Northern Ireland itinerary
- 3 days in London itinerary
- 5 days in London itinerary
- Best day trips from London
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