Dunluce Castle Tour (Tips and Guide For First-Time Visitors)

If you are looking for Dunluce Castle tour tips and guides, this article covers everything you need to know about this famous Irish castle.

Dunluce Castle Tour (Tips and Guide For First-Time Visitors)

Dunluce Castle is now a ruined medieval castle in Northern Ireland. It is located on the edge of rocks on the coast of County Antrim.  Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster, built the first castle in Dunluce. From then on, this Irish castle witnessed a long and tumultuous history between Scotland, Ireland, and the UK.

Dunluce Castle is also said to be the inspiration for Cair Paravel, the fictional castle in Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. It is also the film location of Game of Thrones for the Seat of House Greyjoy of the great castle of Pyke.

Things to do near Dunluce Castle

If you are looking to visit Dunluce Castle along with other attractions, this list of things to do near Dunluce Castle.

Giants Causeway

 

The Giant’s Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national nature reserve. It is located in Northern Ireland and it is about 10 minutes away from Dunluce Castle.

Admission Fee

Access to the Giant’s Causeway is free however the visitor center charges £12.50 per adult and £31.00 for a family of 4.

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

 

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is a popular rope bridge in Ballintoy and it connects the mainland to the island of Carrickarede. The bridge was mainly used by fishermen who frequent the area for salmon but salmon slowly declines in the area. As a result, the bridge is now mainly used for tourism.

The location of the bridge overlooks one of the best coastal views in Northern Ireland. Currently, visitors can access the bridge for a fee and it’s only 20 minutes away from Dunluce Castle.

Dark Hedges

The mysterious and creepy effect of the Beech trees lined up along Bregagh Road makes the Dark Hedges the most photographed location in Northern Ireland. It’s only 22 minutes away from Dunluce Castle as well.

Admission Fee

Adult – £5.50, Child (age 4 – 16) – £3.50

Senior citizen £3.50

Student and Benefit Claimants (ID required) – £3.50

Child under 4 – Free

Family (up to 5 members, including up to 3 adults) – £15.00

Group rate(10 plus, must be pre-booked) – £4 per person

How to get to Dunluce Castle from Belfast

Take a Translink UK bus (#218) from Belfast Bridge Street to Coleraine. The trip takes 1 hour and 40 minutes and it costs between €12-18 for one-way trip or €24-36 for a round trip bus fare. Buses leave every 2 hours. From Coleraine, take a  Translink UK bus (#402, #402a) to Dunluce Castle. The trip takes about 25 minutes for €4-6 per trip or €8-12 for a round-trip fare and buses leave every 2 hours. Then walk about 400 meters or 4 minutes to get to Dunluce Castle. In total, you might have to spend between €32-48 on transport alone.

Or you can also take this Dunluce day tour from Belfast for just €29.11 per person. It also includes a trip to Game of Thrones filming locations, Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. To book it, click here.

 

How to get to Dunluce Castle from Dublin

Take a train (#5) from Connolly station in Dublin to Belfast Lanyon Place. The trip takes about 2 hours for €15-21 for one-way trip or €30-42 for a round trip train fare. There’s a train every 4 hours so plan accordingly. From Belfast, change train to Coleraine. The trip takes about an hour and a half. The train leaves every hour and it costs between €10-14 for one-way trip or €20-28 for a round trip train fare.

From Coleraine,  take a Translink UK bus (#402, #402a) to Dunluce Castle for another 25 minutes. There are buses every 2 hours and it costs €4-6 per trip or €8-12 for a round-trip fare. From the bus stop, just walk a bit to reach the castle. In total, you might have to spend between €58-82 on transport alone.

Or you can also take this Dunluce day tour from Dublin for just €80 per person. It also includes a trip to Giant’s Causeway ,  Dark Hedges, and Dunluce Castle.  To book it, click here.

How to get to Dunluce Castle from Londonderry/ Derry

Take a bus (#234) from Derry Londonderry Foyle to Coleraine. The trip takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes for €8-12 for one-way trip or €16-24 for a round trip train fare. There’s a train every 4 hours so plan accordingly. From Coleraine,  take a Translink UK bus (#402, #402a) to Dunluce Castle for another 25 minutes. There are buses every 2 hours and it costs €4-6 per trip or €8-12 for a round-trip fare. From the bus stop, just walk a bit to reach the castle. In total, you might have to spend between €24-36 on transport alone.

How to get to Dunluce Castle from Donegal

From Donegal Abbey Hotel, take a bus (#64, #480) to Foyle Street Bus Station in Derry. The trip is only 1.5 hours but the trip frequency is only every 4 hours. It costs €14-17 per trip or €28-34 for a round-trip fare.

Then take a bus (#234) from Derry Londonderry Foyle to Coleraine. The trip takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes for €8-12 for one-way trip or €16-24 for a round trip train fare. There’s a train every 4 hours so plan accordingly. From Coleraine,  take a Translink UK bus (#402, #402a) to Dunluce Castle for another 25 minutes. There are buses every 2 hours and it costs €4-6 per trip or €8-12 for a round-trip fare. From the bus stop, just walk a bit to reach the castle. In total, you might have to spend between €24-36 on transport alone.

Opening Hours

Daily: 10 am – 4 pm (last entry strictly at 3:30 pm)

Contact Information

Location: 87 Dunluce Road, Bushmills, CountyAntrim, BT57 8UY

Email: scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Phone: (028) 2073 1938

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