Dunseverick Castle Ruins

Dunseverick, United Kingdom

Dunseverick Castle is located on the peninsula near the small village of Dunseverick and the Giant's Causeway.

Saint Patrick is recorded as having visited Dunseverick castle in the 5th century AD, where he baptized Olcán, a local man who later became a Bishop of Ireland. The original stone fort that occupied the position was attacked by Viking raiders in 870 AD.

In the later part of the 6th century AD, this was the seat of Fergus Mor MacEirc (Fergus the Great). Fergus was King of Dalriada and great-uncle of the High King of Ireland, Muirceartaigh (Murtagh) MacEirc. It is the 500 AD departure point from Ireland of the Lia Fail or coronation stone. Murtagh loaned it to Fergus for the latter's coronation in western Scotland part of which Fergus had settled as his sea-kingdom expanded.

The O'Cahan family held it from circa 1000 AD to circa 1320 AD, then regained it in the mid-16th century. Last one to have the castle was Giolla Dubh Ó Catháin, who left it in 1657 to settle in the Craig/Lisbellanagroagh area. Post 1660 they use the anglicised name McCain/O'Kane.

The castle was captured and destroyed by General Robert Munro in 1642 and his Cromwellian troops in the 1650s, and today only the ruins of the gatelodge remain. A small residential tower survived until 1978 when it eventually surrendered to the sea below.

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Founded: 6th century AD
Category: Castles and fortifications in United Kingdom

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4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Nick Bush (3 months ago)
Very nice little spot off the road. We had no problem getting parking at about 9am on a Sunday. However, by about 11 or noon, the parking lot was full.
L M (4 months ago)
Lovely to walk around. Quite uneven terrain and the land is also used for grazing animals (sheep and cattle) so closed shoes are recommended as well as watching where you step! Beautiful views of the cliffs and coastline as well as some rock pools and small beaches. You can walk as far as you like as the path joins up with a larger cliff walk along the coast.
Gabrielle Bakker (5 months ago)
A really beautiful start for the hike to giants causway. And you can even walk from this castle to Dunluce castle its 12km walk if you have someone to pick you up. The view is great. And the sheep make it a total package. Perfect spot for pictures. You can park your car here.
Yang Pang (5 months ago)
Beautiful view. If we weren't doing the scenic route, not sure I'd have made a special trip to see just this castle. We didn't do the steps down and up to the castle. No tickets needed and a nice, free public washroom in the parking lot.
wully donald (6 months ago)
Lovely spot to stop. Lovely walk to the top next to the castle. Keep dogs on lead or of they chase sheep leave in the car. Slippery grass when wet so take care
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