Dunluce Castle on the Antrim Coast of Northern Ireland

My husband and I went on a "Highlights of Ireland and Scotland" bus tour with Cosmos last October. During the tour, our bus stopped at the western Northern Ireland Antrim Coast to see the famous Dunluce Castle. The castle ruins sit on the edge of a basalt outcropping in Bushmills, County Antrim. Visitors must cross a bridge connecting it to the mainland to reach the castle.

I've been fortunate to see this castle on prior trips to Ireland which you can read on these blog posts--here--and--here.

The castle’s main structure was built by the McQuillan clan in 1500 and was hotly contested by their rivals, Clan McDonnell, who eventually seized the prized location in the mid-1500s.

Legand says that Maeve Roe, the daughter of Lord McQuillan refused to marry her father’s chosen husband, as she was in love with another man. As punishment, Maeve was tossed into the castle’s tower and locked away until she changed her mind. With all hope lost, the young woman’s beloved launched a daring rescue, but upon their escape, the pair of soulmates were drowned in the waves at the nearby Mermaid’s Cave which is located at the bottom of the cliff where the castle stands,. Local legend says she can be seen still keeping watch in the tower and her cries can be heard on stormy nights.

We viewed the castle from a parking and viewing area called Magheracross, where we had a beautiful view of the surrounding craggy cliffs and beaches.

There was beautiful scenery all around

Over the years, Dunluce Castle has been featured in several productions, including the hit TV series “Game of Thrones,” where it served as the iconic Castle Greyjoy.

Many myths and legends are associated with Dunlace Castle, which you can read on this link. 

Looking toward the opposite view of the castle, towards County Donegal in the distance.

Our tour's next stop and my next blog post, is the Giant's Causeway, which is one of the world's most unusual places!

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