Official tourism website for Northern Ireland

Dunluce Castle
Causeway Coastal Route

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Castles & Historic Sites

Castles are for keeps in Northern Ireland

With more castles than a summer of Sundays, Northern Ireland is a mecca for those who like their history filled with towers, turrets and tales of yore. As well as these fine structures, you’ll find a wealth of ruins and remains dotted throughout this historic land.

Northern Ireland has some of the finest examples of old monasteries, churches, abbeys and high crosses that you are likely to find anywhere. Finding the time to see it all might be your only problem.

History and heritage in Royal Hillsborough

(Access is only available to the gardens and café at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens during the winter. The Castle reopens in the spring).

Originally completed in the 1790s, the magnificent Hillsborough Castle is the official residence of the Royal Family when they visit Northern Ireland. Take a tour through the elegant staterooms and into the majestic throne room and drawing room while finding out every inch of its fascinating history with your well-informed guide.

Not too far from Royal Hillsborough, castle chasers will find Brownlow House. Known locally as ‘Lurgan Castle’, it was built in 1833 and really has a tremendously quirky character. Its array of intricate chimney pots, each a different design, are surmounted by a beautiful lantern-shaped tower and the whole site commands superb parkland and lake views. There are some great stories of American and British troops stationed here during World War 2 and you can discover more about them over a tasty cup of tea and delicious scone in the excellent tearoom.

Set within the grounds of the impressive 820 acre demesne there are more than 30 kilometres of walks and trails within Castle Ward in County Down. The Castle Trail takes you to Audley’s Castle, which fans of Game of Thrones® will recognise as Robb’s Camp. This is a great spot in County Down to get away from it all and dig into a bit of history at the same time.

County Down is also home to two of the best-preserved abbeys in Northern Ireland. At the south east edge of Newtownards the substantial remains of Grey Abbey date from 1244. It went through quite a history before falling into disuse in the 18th century. Today, you’ll find the remains in the beautiful parkland setting of the nearby Rosemount House.

A little further south, John DeCourcy, of Carrickfergus Castle fame, also built Inch Abbey. According to the history texts he was compelled to do so for his part in the destruction of another abbey. Paying his dues you might call it.

The high cross tells the story

Up the road on the western bank of Lough Neagh sits one of Ireland’s oldest High Crosses. Standing six metres high, the Ardboe Old Cross dates from the tenth century. The twenty-two panels depict stories and scenes from the Old Testament and New Testament and are stunningly beautiful in their simplicity.

Antrim Castle to Carrickfergus Castle

Following the banks of Lough Neagh to the north, you’ll arrive at the 400-year-old Antrim Castle and Gardens which are famed for the layout of their grounds. This is a very pleasant place to spend an afternoon or take an early morning stroll.

Carrickfergus Castle, to the east, has been guarding Belfast Lough since 1177. It is just as imposing today as it must have been back then and it is certainly as impressive. This is one of the finest examples of a medieval Norman Castle on the whole island and it is worth investing a little on either the guided or self-guided tours on offer.

The picturesque Glenarm Castle watches over an area of outstanding natural beauty in the Glens of Antrim, and is still a working farm estate. It has been occupied as the family seat of the McDonnells, Earls of Antrim, for some 400 years. The castle opens only occasionally to the public, but you can enjoy the glorious walled garden all year round.

As you travel along the Causeway Coastal Route, you are sure to come across the magnificent Dunluce Castle. This is one of Northern Ireland’s most famous and most photographed landmarks. The medieval ruin stands on the edge of a cliff and can be approached only by a bridge. Dating from 1500, it has a fascinating history. Would you believe that at one point it was owned by Winston Churchill and it is said that this place was highly influential in stories of C.S. Lewis. Well worth a trip.

From here, walkers will enjoy the wonderful cliff walk to Dunseverick Castle near the village of the same name. This place dates back to the time of Saint Patrick so it is of little surprise that only ruins remain. This one is more about the journey than the destination.

The turrets of Tyrone

In County Tyrone you can stretch your legs and take in some turrets at Benburb Castle, a plantation bawn built in 1611. Today, there are a number of trails to explore in the Benburb Valley Park where the River Blackwater has carved out a beautiful gorge through the countryside.

Between the lakes, castle walls will rise

Perched dominantly on the banks of Lough Erne, Enniskillen Castle in County Fermanagh, harks back to the might of the ruling Gaelic Maguires. They were the first occupants of this imposing structure almost 600 years ago and their story is an important part of the history of the whole island of Ireland. You can find out more about that story in the castle’s Inniskillings Museum.

Hidden away in the stunning Fermanagh Lakelands, you’ll come across the island of Devenish. This is home to the ruins of a parish church, St Mary’s Augustine Priory and an impressive round tower.

The island has been raided by Vikings and devastated by fires before re-flourishing in the Middle Ages as a centre of learning and literature. This spot is well looked after and gives a great insight into the monastic sites dotted around the island.

An unassuming but ancient capital in Armagh

If you’re passing through Armagh be sure to climb to the top of the ancient “Emain Macha” or Navan Fort. In early Irish history and legend this spot was the earliest provincial capital of Ulster. Today it is a large earthwork on top of a drumlin but as you look around you, you can imagine it as the site of ancient pagan ritual and ceremony.

With castles and heritage sites like these for starters, who knows where your journey into the past will take you in Northern Ireland?

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Number of results: 172

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Greencastle Royal Castle

Kilkeel

Address

Greencastle Pier Road, Kilkeel, County Down, BT34 4LR

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Castle / Fort

Commanding the mouth of Carlingford Lough, the Castle has an eventful history. It was built in the 13th century, taken by Edward Bruce in 1316, attacked at least twice by the Irish in the late 14th century and maintained as a garrison up to 1590.

Price
Free

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Portaferry Castle

Portaferry

Address

Castle Street, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1NY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Castle / Fort

Portaferry Castle is a 16th Century tower-house, built by the Savage family. It is located on the slope overlooking Portaferry harbour.

Price
Free

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Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
32 reviews
Gracehill Moravian Settlement

Gracehill

Address

The Old School House, 19A Church Road, Gracehill, County Antrim, BT42 2NL

Telephone
+44 (0) 7903 739933

gracehilltours@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Gracehill, an 18th-century Moravian settlement near Ballymena, is Northern Ireland's first UNESCO Cultural World Heritage site. Visitors can explore its preserved Georgian architecture, historic sites, and book guided tours.

Dates

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Killevy (Killeavy) Old Churches

Killeavy

Address

Church Road, Killeavy, County Armagh, BT35 8LF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

The site contains two early churches situated back to back. Even earlier, it was the site of a monastery founded by St. Moninna (517) as one of the most important monasteries for nuns in Medieval Ireland.

Price
Free

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Limavady Workhouse

Limavady

Address

Irish Green Street, Limavady, County Londonderry, BT49 0AQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7776 5438

info@lcdi.co.uk

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Opened in 1842, the Limavady Union Workhouse is reported to be one of the best preserved buildings of its type in the whole of Ireland.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Bonamargy Friary

Ballycastle

Address

43 Cushendall Road, Ballycastle, County Antrim, BT54 6QR

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

Remains of Franciscan friary founded around 1500 by Rory MacQuillan. East range of cloister, gatehouse and church virtually complete except for roof. Open all year.

Price
Free

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St Columb's Cathedral

Derry~Londonderry

Address

London Street, Derry~Londonderry, County Londonderry, BT48 6RQ

Telephone
07794666754

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Cathedral

Dominating the skyline on all approaches to the city of Derry~Londonderry is Saint Columb's Cathedral, which has stood on its prominent site inside the famous walls of Derry since 1633.

Dates

Price
Free

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Bovevagh Old Church and Mortuary House

Dungiven

Address

56 Bovevagh Road, Dungiven, County Londonderry, BT47 4NR

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

Bovevagh parish church was established in the late Middle Ages on the site of an early monastery, said to have been founded by Colm Cille in 557. Adamnan, Coolm Cille's biographer was reputedly patron here.

Price
Free

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
95 reviews
Lissan House

Cookstown

Address

Drumgrass Road, Cookstown, County Tyrone, BT80 9SW

Telephone
+44 (0) 7736 837 779

info@lissanhouse.com

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Lissan House is an enchanting country residence set within a 260 acre demesne of ancient woodland and forestry. The estate was created in the 17th century and remained the home of the Staples family for nearly 400 years.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Navan Fort

Armagh

Address

81 Killylea Road, Armagh, County Armagh, BT60 4LD

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Castle / Fort

The Navan Fort, located just two miles from Armagh City, is a place where myth and reality meet. As the ancient seat of Kings and the earliest capital of Ulster, there is plenty to explore.

Price
Free

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Clough Castle

Clough

Address

Main Street, Clough, County Down, BT30 8TH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Castle / Fort

An Anglo-Norman motte-and-bailey earthwork castle dating to the late 12th or early 13th century. The motte was built of earth to provide a look-out position and central defence. The bailey provided a space for domestic buildings and livestock.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Armagh Franciscan Friary

Armagh

Address

Friary Road, Armagh, County Armagh, BT60 4FR

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

Ruins of the longest Friary church in Ireland (163 ft.). Founded by Archbishop Patrick O'Scanail in 1263. Open all year.

Price
Free

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Saul Church

Downpatrick

Address

Saul Road, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6PE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4461 4922

info@downcathedral.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

Two miles outside Downpatrick is the replica of St Patrick's first church in Ireland. Close by, on the crest of Slieve Patrick is a massive statue of St Patrick. Bronze panels illustrate scenes from the life of Ireland's Patron Saint.

Price
Free

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Tirkane Sweathouse

Maghera

Address

Urbalshinny Road, Maghera, County Londonderry, BT46 5PD

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Site

Nestled in a secluded area located 2.5 miles to the North West of Maghera, Tirkane is a well preserved Sweathouse or Sauna.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Harland & Wolff Cranes - Samson and Goliath

Belfast

Address

Queen's Island, Belfast, County Antrim, BT3 9DU

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Industrial Heritage

Although not officially classed as wonders of the world, the two massive cranes in Harland and Wolff Belfast, which serve one of the world’s largest Building Docks, are certainly masterpieces of engineering.

Price
Free

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Holywood Motte

Holywood

Address

Brook Street, Holywood, County Down, BT18 9BB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Holywood Motte is an Anglo-Norman castle mound, which probably had a ditch round its base and a timber palisade round the summit.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Ederney Covered Wishing Well

Ederney

Address

Ederney Village, Ederney, County Fermanagh, BT93 0BN

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Situated about 100 metres outside Ederney Village on the Main Road to Omagh, this unusual covered Wishing Well is the only one of its kind in the local area.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
St Patrick's Church Belfast

Belfast

Address

199 Donegall Street, Belfast, CountyAntrim, BT1 2FL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9032 4597

stpatricks@downandconnor.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

The Gothic Revival St Patrick's was designed by Timonthy Hevey and Mortimer Thomspon and consecrated in 1877. The first Church was built on this site in 1815 and was the second Catholic Church built since the Reformation in the city of Belfast.

Price
Free

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Annadorn Dolmen

Downpatrick

Address

Junction of Bucks Head Road & Loughinisland Road, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 8JW

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Archaeological sites

Situated 8.8km south east of Ballynahinch, on the north east shore of Loughinisland Lake, within sight of Loughinisland Church. A slightly displaced capstone covers a rectangular chamber of which three side stones survive.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Queen's University Belfast

Belfast

Address

University Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT7 1NN

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9097 5252

queens.welcomecentre@qub.ac.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

The fine façade of the Main Building, designed by Charles Lanyon, conceals a quiet, restful quadrangle. This was the original Queen's College: the University has expanded throughout the immediate area, including all the houses on University Square.

Price
Free

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Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi