The History of Dundrum Castle

Location	2 Castle Hill, Dundrum, County Down, Northern Ireland (Google Map)
Open for Visitors	Yes
Owned by	State Care
Rooms Available	No

Dundrum Castle is located on a rocky hill in the town of Dundrum in Northern Ireland and is perfect for anyone who loves to enjoy clean air and amazing views. It was built by John De Courcy around 1177 as a part of his coastal defence and later got destroyed in the 17th century. However, it still gives those historical vibes and is a good historical monument to explore.

History

Dundrum Castle was built in Dundrum town in County Down, Northern Ireland, in or around 1177 by John De Courcy. It was built to control the access into Lecale from people coming from west and south. It stands on a rocky mountain and gives fine views of Dundrum Bay, Mourne Mountains, Slieve Croob, and the plains of Lecale.

It was the first castle that had the defences of earth and timber. In 1204, De Courcy was expelled from his position, and Hugh De Lacy took the castle in 1205. And then, the castle was taken by King John in 1210, who changed the castle’s appearance completely. In 1260, a new addition was made in the castle- A gatehouse, designed using 2 square towers on the southeast side.

Later, in the 1330s, the castle was in a very poor state and required some care; this is when the Magennis family took it over and built a second circuit wall just below the original castle. The castle’s ownership changed several times between the 16th and 17th centuries, but after 1660, the Blundells took over the castle and designed an L-shaped mansion in the Southwest corner and used it as a residence. However, the property got ruined with time.

In the 19th century, the second Marquess of Downshire got control over the castle, and finally, in 1954, it got placed in State care. Now, it is open for visitors, and they get a chance to experience the castle’s history.

Architecture

Dundrum Castle was known as one of the beautiful castles; however, it got ruined years back. Still, visitors can come and experience its history and stunning landscapes visible from there. The castle is located on a rocky hill, from where you can get a clear view of Dundrum Bay and the Moure Mountains.

The walls of this castle were built in C.1180, and it is still standing straight. It has the lower and high ward, and a huge rocky gateway door connects them both. The lower ward, built by the Blundell family in the 1660s, has an L-Shape and looks stunning. You can enjoy a family picnic at this specific corner of the castle. To ensure safety, railings are installed around all walkways and stairs.

Although Dundrum castle was destroyed years ago, it can still help you enjoy the architecture of the 17th century, beautiful views, clean surroundings, and great history. If you plan to visit Dundrum, don’t miss a chance to explore this castle.

Movie Features

• Game of Thrones: Dundrum Castle was featured on three different occasions in the game of thrones. It was used to shoot the entry to Vaes Dothrak.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What happened to Dundrum Castle?

The Dundrum Castle was a gabled L-shaped beautiful mansion. But in the early 19th century, after O’Dwyers lost their property under the Act of Settlement 1662 and had to pass it to the second Marquess of Downshire, the Dundrum Castle was ruined. Later, in 1730, the Dundrum House, a mansion, was built on the site, and then it was sold to an order of Roman Catholic Nuns.

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• Is Dundrum Castle Open?

Yes, Dundrum Castle is open from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Tuesday to Saturday) and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM (Sunday). The castle is closed on Mondays.

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Have you visited this castle before? If yes, why not share some beautiful pictures with us!
You can email us your pictures of the castle at castrumtocastle@gmail.com. Please use the name of the castle in the subject line.

Also, don’t forget to mention your name and social media profile link if you want the credits!