Dunluce Castle
County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Photo: Iain Irwin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Mario Falcetti, CC BY 4.0 · Library of Congress Catalog: http://lccn.loc.gov/2002717364, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Department for Communities (Historic Environment Division)
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Note
- Clifftop state-care ruin; pay at gate year-round
Pinpoint
87 Dunluce Rd, Bushmills BT57 8UY
Telephone 028 2073 1938
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Thursday | 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Friday | 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Sunday | 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
Dunluce sits on the edge of a cliff on the North Antrim coast, and looks it - the kitchen reportedly fell into the sea in 1639, which sums up the site's relationship with the drop below as well as anything. What remains is substantial for a ruin, and the admission price is modest for the setting.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The clifftop position itself, with the Atlantic on one side - reviewers consistently rank the setting above any single feature of the ruin.
Before you go
Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds that build midday, especially given its proximity to Bushmills, Portrush, and the wider Causeway coast tour routes. Parking is easy and admission affordable at around £6.
What visitors say
Dunluce Castle reviews · 4.6 / 5 across 8,865 Google reviews
All reviewers were highly positive, consistently praising the dramatic clifftop setting and sweeping Atlantic views as the highlight, alongside informative displays inside and affordable admission around £6.
Several also mention friendly staff and a small shop and visitor centre on site, and no one reported any real drawbacks.
“Beautiful scenery- at £6 it’s one of the more affordable attractions with easy parking. Go early morning or late afternoon. Close to Bushmills, Portrush and Portstewart. BTW: the castle fell into ruins because in 1639…”- HELGA ROPER, visitor review
History
MacQuillan family · c. 1500
The MacQuillan family built the original fortress around 1500 on the dramatic sea cliffs of north Antrim, first documented in 1513. In the 1550s the MacDonnells seized it, and Sorley Boy MacDonnell expanded it during an era of rebellion. By 1608 a planned town of innovative design grew nearby; the castle kitchens famously collapsed into the sea during a 1639 storm, after which it was abandoned.
Drawn from Department for Communities (Historic Environment Division)'s own page.
Plan your visit
- Combine this with
- Dunseverick Castle is only 5.5 miles away - worth pairing into the same day. See Dunseverick Castle →
- Tickets & opening times
- Check current prices and hours with the operator before travelling - details change more often than any directory can track.
- Data checked
- Ratings, review counts and the visitor-note quotes above were drawn from publicly available Google reviews. Castles change hands and adjust hours faster than any directory can track in real time.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “Beautiful scenery- at £6 it’s one of the more affordable attractions with easy parking.” - HELGA ROPER
- Guided tours
- “The tour guide was able to provide some history and information about the ruins and the.” - Heather Hairbows
- How long to allow
- “We came here as a part of our full day tour out of Belfast and really enjoyed the scenery.” - Heather Hairbows
- Facilities
- “The staff at the gift shop/ticket shop were very friendly and helpful.” - Jordan Newman
Common questions about Dunluce Castle
Where is Dunluce Castle?
Dunluce Castle is in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, at 87 Dunluce Rd, Bushmills BT57 8UY.
Do you need a ticket to visit Dunluce Castle?
Yes - Dunluce Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Department for Communities (Historic Environment Division). Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Dunluce Castle?
The clifftop position itself, with the Atlantic on one side - reviewers consistently rank the setting above any single feature of the ruin.
Is Dunluce Castle a ruin or still intact?
Dunluce Castle is a ruin - Clifftop state-care ruin; pay at gate year-round.
