Part of the castle kitchen fell into the Atlantic Ocean during a 1639 storm while dinner was being prepared.
The castle inspired C.S. Lewis in the creation of Cair Paravel for The Chronicles of Narnia.
Archaeological excavations in 2011 revealed an extensive 17th-century town, including cobbled streets and merchants' houses.
The site was featured as the House of Greyjoy in the television series Game of Thrones.
The MacDonnell clan, who held the castle, originated from the Scottish Highlands.
Dunluce Castle is a medieval fortress perched on the edge of a basalt outcrop on the North Antrim coast of Northern Ireland. The site features the remains of a 16th-century stronghold built by the MacDonnell clan, replacing an earlier 13th-century Norman fortification. Much of the castle's domestic quarters collapsed into the sea during a storm in 1639, prompting the abandonment of the residence. Archaeologists have identified the remains of a 'lost town' surrounding the castle, which was built in 1608 and destroyed by fire in 1641. The site is accessible via a modern bridge connecting the mainland to the cliff-top ruins. It is currently managed by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
The viewpoint on the mainland looking back toward the castle ruins with the sea in the background.
Wear sturdy, non-slip footwear as the ground within the ruins is uneven and can be slippery.
Keep children close at all times due to the unprotected cliff edges surrounding the site.
Check the weather forecast before visiting; wind speeds on the cliffside can be significantly higher than inland.
Do not attempt to walk along the cliff base, as access is restricted and unsafe due to falling debris and tides.
The site is occasionally closed during periods of extreme high winds or severe coastal weather.
Stay within the marked visitor paths; climbing on the unstable masonry walls is strictly prohibited.
