Glenarm Castle, County Antrim — historic house

historic house · County Antrim · Northern Ireland

Glenarm Castle

Photo: Glenarm Castle by GlenarmCastle, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

About this place

Glenarm Castle in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, was built in 1636 by Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim, and has remained the family home ever since.

The MacDonnell family's connection to the region extends back to the sixteenth century through Sorley Boy MacDonnell.

The castle and its eight-acre walled garden are open to visitors, with guided tours and afternoon tea available.

The walled garden has won awards for its restoration work.

Read more on Wikipedia

History

Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim, built the castle in 1636, and his descendants have held the estate for nearly four centuries. The family's roots in the area go back further still, to Sorley Boy MacDonnell, who secured the MacDonnell claim on Antrim in the sixteenth century. The castle underwent significant remodelling at some point in its history, developing its distinctive character.

Architecture

The castle displays Scottish Baronial architectural elements, a style that reflects the MacDonnell family's Scottish ancestry.

Gardens & grounds

The walled garden has won awards for its restoration and connects to a woodland walk across the wider estate.

Facilities

Parking Café Toilets Shop Picnic area Restaurant Cycle parking

Plan your visit

Nearby properties

Facts

A working ancestral estate held by the same family for nearly four hundred years, castle tours included.

Type
historic house
Location
County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Historic Houses
Official website

Get Hidden Britain