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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Derry Churches

Portaferry

Address

11 Cloughey Road, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1NG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

These ruined churches are situated one and a half miles north east of Portaferry on the Tullymally Road, east of the A2 to Cloughey and are signposted from Portaferry.

Price
Free

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Bellaghy Bawn

Bellaghy

Address

Castle Street, Bellaghy, County Londonderry, BT45 8LA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Built around 1619 by Sir Baptist Jones, Bellaghy Bawn is a fortified house and bawn (the defensive wall surrounding an Irish tower house).

Price
Free

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tullaghoge Fort

Tullyhogue

Address

Tullywiggan Road, Tullyhogue, County Tyrone, BT80 8UB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Site

Tullaghoge Fort was a royal power centre which came to historical prominence in the 11th Century when it was a dynastic centre for Cenel nEogain (later the O’Neills).

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
10 reviews
Templecorran Church and Graveyard

Ballycarry

Address

Main Street, Ballycarry, County Antrim, BT38 9BF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9335 8220

parks@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

Discover magnificent views and Ulster Scots heritage in Templecorran graveyard, Ballycarry.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Antrim Round Tower

Antrim

Address

Steeple Road, Antrim, County Antrim, BT41 1BL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Tower

Antrim Round Tower was built around the 10th century and is one of the finest of its kind in Ireland. It is 28 metres tall and was built as part of a Monastic Settlement.

Price
Free

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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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Grey Point Fort

Helen's Bay

Address

Fort Road, Helen's Bay, County Down, BT19 1PU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Castle / Fort

Situated in Helen's Bay, Grey Point Fort is one of the best preserved early 20th century coastal forts anywhere in the British Isles.

Price
Free

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Goward Dolmen

Hilltown

Address

Goward Road, Hilltown, County Down, BT34 5YL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Goward Dolmen is situated approx 0.4km south of the B8 Castlewellan/Hilltown road on the north west slopes of the Mourne Mountains and is a fine portal tomb surrounded by trees.

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.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
63 reviews
Patterson's Spade Mill

Templepatrick

Address

751 Antrim Road, Templepatrick, County Antrim, BT39 0AP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9443 3619

pattersons@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

The National Trust

Listen to the hammers, smell the grit, feel the heat and witness the thrill of the only surviving water-driven spade mill in Ireland.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
St Cooey's Wells

Portaferry

Address

Ballyquintin Road, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1RF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

The church at St Cooey’s Wells is thought to date from the 7th century but only the foundation stones now remain. The Washing, Eye and Drinking wells in this peaceful, wooded dell are reputed to have healing powers.

Price
Free

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Newtownstewart Castle

Newtownstewart

Address

Townhall Street, Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, BT78 4AX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Castle / Fort

The power of the O’Neill chieftains in Tyrone came to an end in 1607. Defeated in battle by English forces and fearful for their future, Hugh O’Neill and his allies fled Ireland in what has become known as the Flight of the Earls.

Price
Free

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Holywood Maypole

Holywood

Address

High Street/Shore Street, Holywood, County Down, BT18 9AB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Holywood's most well known feature is the town's Maypole, the only surviving in Ireland. Early maps show a Maypole has stood on the site since the 1620s and today is still the focus of the May Day Celebrations and Fair in the town.

Price
Free

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Dungiven Priory and O'Cahan's Tomb

Dungiven

Address

Priory Lane, Dungiven, County Londonderry, BT47 4UH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Abbey / Priory

Augustinian priory with a 15th-century tomb of Cooey-na-Gall, an O'Cahan chief, who died in 1385.

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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Rough Fort (Rath)

Limavady

Address

Moneyrannel Road, Limavady, Derry/Londonderry, BT49 0FJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7776 0650

visitor.information@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Archaeological sites

Rough Fort, on the Limavady to Ballykelly road, is a remarkable earthwork construction over 1000 years old. Known as a Rath, it was originally used as a defended farmstead into which livestock could be driven in the times of emergency.

Price
Free

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1045 reviews
Carrickfergus Castle

Carrickfergus

Address

Marine Highway, Carrickfergus, County Antrim, BT38 7BG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9335 1273

carrickfergus.castle@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Price £6.00 to £18.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Castle / Fort

Get ready to step back in time at Carrickfergus Castle, an incredible Norman castle nestled in the charming seaside town of Carrickfergus, County Antrim, right on the shores of Belfast Lough. For more than 800 years, Carrickfergus Castle has been an…

Price
Price £6.00 to £18.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport

Address

The Harbour, Main Street, Groomsport, County Down, BT19 6JR

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9109 3038

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

Take a step back in time with a visit to the lovingly restored Cockle Row Cottages located beside the harbour, Groomsport.

Dates

From:

5 June 2026to14 Sept 2026Various Opening Times

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Annaghmare Court Tomb

Crossmaglen

Address

Annaghmare Road, Crossmaglen, County Armagh, BT35 9BJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Archaeological sites

The court tomb at Annaghmare is one of the best preserved examples of its type, with many of its features preserved in good condition after they were first revealed during excavation in 1963-64.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Ring of Gullion

Killeavy

Address

89 Drumintee Road, Killeavy, County Armagh, BT35 8SW

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4046

Type

Type:

Landscape/View

Slieve Gullion Forest Park is in the heart of the Ring of Gullion. The Ring of Gullion is a unique geological landform – unparalleled elsewhere in Ireland or the UK – and was the first ring dyke in the world to be geologically mapped. The ring of…

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