Dunluce Castle (or Dún Libhse in Irish) is a now-ruined medieval castle and seat of Clan McDonnell in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The castle is located on the edge of a basalt outcropping and can be accessed through a bridge connecting it to the mainland.
Dunluce was built in the 13th century by Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster. Because it’s surrounded by extremely steep drops on either side, early Christians and Vikings were drawn to this place where an early Irish fort once stood. The castle is first documented in the hands of the McQuillan family in 1513, who owned it until they were displaced by the MacDonnell after losing two major battles against them during the mid- and late-16th century.
The cannons installed in the gatehouses came from the Girona, a galleass from the Spanish Armada was wrecked in a storm on the rocks nearby. The rest of the cargo was sold and the funds were used to restore the castle in 1613.