Community Chat

[Oznell]

I'm always susceptible to medieval ruins, of all kinds, but Dunluce Castle on its sea cliff in Antrim, Northern Ireland, is one of my favorites.  Part of my family was from very near by in Antrim.

The castle dates to the 1500's.  It was the seat of Clan McDonnell.  It started to gradually fall apart after 1690. 

Isn't it dramatic?   It's fun to see  to see a virtual  reconstruction of it, as it could have looked if it were whole:

Another, more sympathetic and romantic imaginary reconstruction:

But the ruins themselves do have a magic all their own:

[twinsister]

@Oznell - It is sad to see it in ruins, but I think it is beautiful in its' setting.  I like the virtual reconstruction.    Have you been to Ireland to see where your ancestors lived?

[phoenixbrd]

That first photo is magical...as if `the castle is an organic structure integrated with the earth.  I can't imagine the hardships of living on top of the hills...just the simple logistics of accessibility` like food and the every day basics of physical comforts.  It is very romantic and evocative off a time long ago.

[manny2]

I find eerily beautiful. What secrets those battered walls must hold. 

[SharkE]

Bet that place was cold ! Really cold, near that water. Drafty

[LindaSal]

Beautiful!   I've stayed at Ballycastle to the right on the map.  It was one of the locations for filming Game of Thrones.    That's one of our favortie things to do is visit old castles.  Ireland and Scotland are fabulous for doing just that.  The scenery is breathtaking.

[lovescats]

reminds me of the movie Leap Year

[skatting44]

For some reason it looks familiar to me . Was it used in a film such as Hilander ? Or I may have seen it showcased on Skyview episode of the mysteries of  castrles in Britain & Ireland .

[Oznell]

@twinsister,  I've been to other parts of Ireland where other ancestors were scattered, and to the town in Devonshire in England where there were other ancestors, but not to Antrim.  Would love to go!

@skatting44,  I think Dunluce has also been in "Game of Thrones" that @LindaSal mentioned in connection with Ballycastle, as well as a number of other productions over time.  It's easy to see why filmmakers would be drawn to these great piles of stone....

[BlueFinch]

This castle ignites my mind into fantasies of its history and clan. From the good to the challenged life, it, and they, must have had. What stories it has hidden in those crumbling rock walls.

In that landscape, it must have been difficult to build. That would be a story in itself.