The Best Castles To Visit In Northern Ireland

This castle is possibly the largest and most famous in Northern Ireland. It is definitely one of the most visually striking. Still intact, Carrickfergus town is far older than Belfast, and the castle was built in 1177 by the Anglo-Norman knight John de Courcy, after he invaded Ulster. The castle itself has changed hands multiple times, from the Normans to the Scots and then the English, it is a reflection of the changing times. It has also been the stage of some defining moments in history. The last witchcraft trial was held there in 1711 and the American navy attempted to capture a warship in Carrickfergus harbour during the American War of Independence.

Enniskillen Castle was the site of many rebellions, especially against English rule, and indeed its position close to the Irish border made it a prime location for the power struggles that went on in the sixteenth century. Built by the Gaelic Maguire family, the castle is a relatively spry 600 years old, and on the banks of Lough Erne it offers stunning views of the surrounding scenery and was used as a base for American pilots during the Second World War. Today, it houses the Fermanagh County Museum and is worth a look for the artefacts it contains as much as for the beautiful building itself.

Location-wise, Dunluce Castle is stunning, located on a rock outcrop next to the sea, its arresting appearance is made all the more romantic due to the fact that it is in ruins. Built by the second Earl of Ulster in the 13th century, it was first documented as owned by the McQuillan family in 1513. The castle has remained a strong fortress and a centre of drama, including the wrecking of a Spanish galley on its shores during the Spanish Armada. It is also thought that the castle itself was inspiration for C.S Lewis’s castle Cair Paravel in The Chronicles of Narnia.