Nigel's Photo Blog

Dunluce Castle, Antrim This afternoon, I am posting information on Dunluce Castle in Northern Ireland which is located on the North Antrim Coast, a few miles west of the Giant’s Causeway a nd about sixty miles NNW of Belfast. A visit to this castle usually forms part of a tour of the Causeway Coast . Dunluce Castle As a power base the site is relatively young by British standards. The earliest standing remains date from around 1500 but the castle reached its zenith in the early 17th century under Randal MacDonnell   and his son, also Randal MacDonnell both whom achieved status of Earls of Antrim under King James I. The MacDonnells   brought to Ireland large numbers of Scots to act as a counterweight to Irish Catholics and suppress   revolts from that quarter. The family was initially very successful and gained large estates and wealth. However, Randal fell foul of the British when he was arrested in 1642. Whilst Randal regained his estates in 16...

  This evening, I am posting information on Dunluce Castle in Northern Ireland which is located on the North Antrim Coast a few miles west of the Giant’s Causeway and about sixty miles north of Belfast. As a power base the site is relatively young by British standards. The earliest standing remains date from around 1500 but the castle reached its zenith in the early 17th century under Randal MacDonnell   and his son, also Randal MacDonnell both whom achieved status of Earls of Antrim under King James I (Eng.)/ James VI (Scot.) The MacDonnells   brought to Ireland large numbers of Protestant Scots to act as a counterweight to Irish Catholics and suppress   revolts from that quarter.There is another Scottish connection in that the MacDonnells of Antrim are a branch of the Scottish based Clan Donald. The MacDonnells   were initially very successful and gained large estates and wealth. However, Randal fell foul of the British when he was arrest...