Causeway Coast AONB

Castles in Causeway Coast AONB

Castles and Fortifications

The Causeway Coast features a strategic line of coastal defenses ranging from the iconic cliffside ruins of Dunluce Castle, the former seat of Clan MacDonnell, to ancient promontory forts like Dunseverick. These sites illustrate the region's military evolution, featuring 16th-century stone structures like Kinbane Castle and earlier archaeological earthworks known as raths. Many of these fortifications are situated on dramatic headlands, offering insight into the medieval power struggles and ancient settlement patterns of Northern Ireland.

Castles and Fortifications — Map

Osioni / Public domain

A

Dunluce Castle

Dunluce Castle is a now-ruined medieval castle in Northern Ireland, the seat of Clan MacDonnell.

Pdean / CC BY-SA 2.5

B

Dunseverick Castle

Remnants of a gatehouse on a historic royal site once visited by Saint Patrick. The fortification was largely destroyed by Cromwellian forces in 1650.

Anne Burgess / CC BY-SA 2.0

C

Kinbane Castle

Kinbane Castle is located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, on a headland between Ballycastle and Ballintoy.

D

Dunboy

Archaeological site of an ancient coastal fortification.

E

Carnkirk Castle

Archaeological site of a historic fortification.

F

Rath

Remains of an ancient earthen ringfort or settlement enclosure.

G

Rath

Archaeological site of an ancient earthen fortification.

Other Lists

Causeway Coast AONB Essentials Natural Wonders & Coastal Gems Historic Churches and Sacred Sites