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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Brownlow House

Lurgan

Address

Windsor Avenue, Lurgan, County Armagh, BT67 9BJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3832 6049

info@brownlowhouse.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

Brownlow House is Located in the centre of Lurgan adjacent to Lurgan Public Park, a grade A listed building now open for viewing.

Price
Free

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
First Derry Presbyterian Church and The Blue Coat School Heritage Centre

Derry~Londonderry

Address

First Presbyterian Church, 6 Magazine Street Upper, Derry~Londonderry, County Londonderry, BT48 6HA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7126 1550

firstderrybluecoatschool@outlook.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

Explore the Blue Coat School Heritage Centre and discover the compelling, and often surprising story of First Derry Presbyterian Church that has been at the heart of its community since the 17th century.

Dates

Price
Free

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Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Dan Winter’s House

Loughgall

Address

9 Derryloughan Road, Loughgall, County Armagh, BT61 8PH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3885 1344

hildawinter@btinternet.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Dan Winter’s house was repaired and rethatched in 2000 keeping original artefacts and clothing. Original outbuildings were rethatched in 2007 and a tea-room was built. Family vehicles and farm machinery are on display in other farm buildings.

Price
Free

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- Dogs accepted by arrangement
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Parking & Transport
- On site parking
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Establishment Features
- Wifi
Derrymore House

Bessbrook

Address

Camlough Road, Bessbrook, County Armagh, BT35 7EF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 8778 4753

derrymore@nationaltrust.org.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

The National Trust

A National Trust Property, Derrymore House is an elegant thatched cottage that stands amid a picturesque landscape estate less than 2 miles from Newry.

Price
Free

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Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
148 reviews
Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum

Lisburn

Address

Market Square, Lisburn, County Antrim, BT28 1AG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9266 3377

Ilc.reception@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

The Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum is an award-winning museum located in Market Square, Lisburn. The permanent exhibition Flax to Fabric traces the story of linen from Ancient Egyptian times to present day.

Price
Free

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
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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Down Cathedral and Saint Patrick's Grave

Downpatrick

Address

35 English Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4461 4922

info@downcathedral.org

Type

Type:

Cathedral

Down Cathedral, a Cathedral of the Church of Ireland with magnificent stain glass windows, box pews and beautiful organ case was built in 1183 as a Benedictine Monastry. The patron saint, Patrick is believed to be buried in the nearby graveyard.

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- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Kilbroney Graveyard

Rostrevor

Address

Kilbroney Road, Rostrevor, County Down, BT34 3GG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3031 3170

visitorservices@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

'Cill Bhronaigh', or Bronagh’s Church (12th century), is located in the graveyard just outside Rostrevor on the Hilltown Road. The graveyard contains Saint Bronagh’s Cross, dating from the late 8th century and a ruined 15th century building.

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Free

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St Augustine's Church

Derry~Londonderry

Address

Palace Street, Derry~Londonderry, County Londonderry, BT48 6PS

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7136 6041

weechurch@btinternet.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

A neo-Gothic church of 1872. built of whinstone with sandstone dressings. Iit is delightfully situated on the City walls, surrounded by its graveyard and a pretty parish school and hall. There are many famous graves in the graveyard.

Price
Free

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Ballymacdermot Court Tomb

Newry

Address

Bernish Road, Newry, County Armagh, BT35 8QA

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4046

visitorservices@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Archaeological sites

Ballymacdermot Court Tomb, lying on the southern slopes of Ballymacdermot Mountain close to Newry City, is an extremely well preserved Neolithic burial site with three chambers. It can be dated between 4,000 and 2,500 BC.

Price
Free

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Inch Abbey

Downpatrick

Address

Inch Abbey Road, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 9AX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Abbey / Priory

Located on the north bank of the Quoile River, Inch Abbey was founded by John de Courcy in atonement for his destruction of Erenagah Abbey.

Price
Free

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Giant's Ring

Belfast

Address

Near Shaw's Bridge, Off Ballynahatty Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT8 8LE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Refreshingly little is known about this prehistoric enclosure, over 600 ft in diameter, with an earthen bank 20 foot wide and 12 foot high and a dolmen in the centre.

Price
Free

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Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Coleraine Town Hall

Coleraine

Address

The Diamond, Coleraine, County Londonderry, BT52 1DE

visitor.information@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Coleraine Town Hall presides over the central shopping piazza in Coleraine. Designed by Thomas Turner, the Town Hall, which is of major historical significance, was built in 1859 by McLaughlin & Harvey for £4,147(over £7m today).

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Mountsandel Fort

Coleraine

Address

Mountsandel Road, Coleraine, County Londonderry, BT52 1TW

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Archaeological sites

Mountsandel Wood is the earliest known settlement of man in Ireland dating to between 7600 and 7900BC. Flint tools were found here, indicating that Stone Age hunters camped here to fish salmon in the natural weir.

Price
Free

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Kearney Village

Portaferry

Address

Kearney Road, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1QP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4278 8387

strangford@nationaltrust.org.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

The National Trust

Sitting on the southern tip of the famous Ards Peninsula, Kearney is a picturesque fishing village full of unspoilt, timeless character. On this short coastal walk from the village car park and visitor centre, look out for quaint, whitewashed…

Price
Free

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Benburb Castle

Benburb

Address

Main Street, Benburb, County Tyrone, BT71 7JZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3214

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Castle / Fort

Benburb Castle is dramatically sited on the cliff edge above the River Blackwater in the grounds of Benburb Servite Priory. It was built by Sir Richard Wingfield in around 1615, on or near the site of a stronghold of Shane O’Neill.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Bronte Homeland Interpretative Centre

Rathfriland

Address

Church Hill Road, Drumballyroney, Rathfriland, County Down, BT34 5PH

Telephone
028 4062 3322

info@femcwilliam.com

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

The fertile land of County Down has been farming country for centuries. It was here that Patrick Brontë, father of Charlotte, Emily and Anne - the famous Brontë sisters, was born into a farming family on 17th March 1777.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
2492 reviews
17th Century City Walls

Derry~Londonderry

Address

44 Foyle Street, Derry~Londonderry, County Londonderry, BT48 6JB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7126 7284

info@visitderry.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Derry~Londonderry is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and is one of the finest examples of Walled Cities in Europe. A walk around the walls reveals a city crammed full of history, heritage, interest and a vibrant cultural scene.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
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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Slans Graveyard

Cloughey

Address

Ardminnan Road, Cloughey, County Down, BT22 1QJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

Within it are the ruins of a medieval church which is believed to be the Church of Ardmacossce or Ardmacaisse, mentioned in the Taxation of Pope Nicholas, 1306, along with an unusual cross-carved boulder.

Price
Free

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