Dundrum Castle
Dundrum Castle
4.5
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
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4.5
202 reviews
Excellent
103
Very good
88
Average
10
Poor
1
Terrible
0
TGC
Bangor, UK622 contributions
May 2021
Dundrum Castle is a castle, situated above the town of Dundrum, County Down, Northern Ireland, It was constructed by John de Courcy, sometime near the beginning of the 13th century,[2] following his invasion of Ulster. The castle, built to control access into Lecale from the west and south, stands on the top of a rocky hill commanding fine views south over Dundrum Bay and the Mourne Mountains, the lands west towards Slieve Croob and the plains of Lecale to the east.
Spent a lovely night in our Motorhome, local chipper will deliver.
Spent a lovely night in our Motorhome, local chipper will deliver.
Written 5 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
301lisa33
Coventry, UK2,007 contributions
Sept 2021
This castle lies above town and gives fabulous views over the Bay. Indeed I see that as the main reason for visiting. Entry was free when we visited (maybe it always is?) There is not a great deal left but the central keep is still quite imposing and the scale and positioning of other key features still evident. We couldn't access that due to covid restrictions
Written 28 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dawson&Ali
Moira65 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
The castle and keep sit above Dundrum. Plenty of signs explaining the history. You can climb to the top of the keep via the original spiral stone staircase (people who have issues with confined spaces and heights could have issues). The view of the Mournes, the castle grounds and Dundrum Bay are breathtaking. Well worth the visit! There is a car park and toilet facilities.
Written 10 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
frankm654
Banbridge, UK1,044 contributions
Aug 2020 • Solo
High climb on road to castle.Always been locked when I was there. But I climbed through a fence and had a look around. Climbed up the tower.
Interesting place to visit pr have a picnic in small carpark at front.
Interesting place to visit pr have a picnic in small carpark at front.
Written 1 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dingleford
Manchester, England66 contributions
There's quite a bit of this castle standing compared with most of the ancient ruins we saw on our holiday in Northern Ireland, with steps up to the top of the towers giving spectacular views of Dundrum Bay and the Mournes. There was some limited information about the history/architecture on noticeboards - I learned that the towers are round so that the residents wouldn't be taken by surprise. More info would have been useful, it isn't always easy to work out what part of an ancient building you are standing on or what it was used for. The short nature walk in the little wood by the castle was spoiled by litter. Allow 30 mins to an hour for a visit including the walk.
Written 9 August 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard R
Northern Ireland7 contributions
Dundrum Castle is a bit of a hidden gem. Tucked behind Dundrum village just 3 miles north of Newcastle, the few signs are quite low-key and it would be very easy to miss it. If heading north from Newcastle you should take the first left as you enter the village (just after the chemist and a pub) and then first right and first left. Heading south from Belfast you take the second right just after you enter the village (after the Buck's Head pub) and then the first right. These directions will take you right up to the base of the castle and into the public car park.
From the car park is a footpath through the woods that leads you fully around the castle itself. Although pleasant, the walk is nothing special by comparison to other walks in the area, and the castle is the main attraction. There is a portakabin as you enter the main castle area and this is manned much of the time (I don't have exact details) and the attendant is very informative.
As you walk up the fairly steep hill to the main castle you will pass some slightly more recent ruins on the right. As you reach the top of the hall you will enter the main walled area. There are several points where you can climb steps up to the top of the wall and get good views in all directions. The keep is in the centre of this walled area and is open to the public when the attendant is working. The tight, windy stairs take you to the very top of the keep where there are stunning views out to sea and south to the Mourne Mountains.
A great spot for kids (young and old) to soak up the atmosphere and an equally great place to take some excellent photos.
There are more details on Dundrum on the village website :
www.dundrumvillage.co.uk
From the car park is a footpath through the woods that leads you fully around the castle itself. Although pleasant, the walk is nothing special by comparison to other walks in the area, and the castle is the main attraction. There is a portakabin as you enter the main castle area and this is manned much of the time (I don't have exact details) and the attendant is very informative.
As you walk up the fairly steep hill to the main castle you will pass some slightly more recent ruins on the right. As you reach the top of the hall you will enter the main walled area. There are several points where you can climb steps up to the top of the wall and get good views in all directions. The keep is in the centre of this walled area and is open to the public when the attendant is working. The tight, windy stairs take you to the very top of the keep where there are stunning views out to sea and south to the Mourne Mountains.
A great spot for kids (young and old) to soak up the atmosphere and an equally great place to take some excellent photos.
There are more details on Dundrum on the village website :
www.dundrumvillage.co.uk
Written 16 October 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mick O
11 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
Lovely wee Castle and you might get to see some fellows re-inacting some swordplay etc.. Steep walk but great views from the top, well worth a visit.
Written 9 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rooney11
Philadelphia, PA53 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
The castle ruins are easy to get to and you are free to wander the grounds on your own. (no cost!) The views of Dundrum Bay and the Mourne Mountains are breathtaking. My kids had a ball climbing through the old rooms and walls left behind. Great spot for pictures!
Written 30 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
olivernone
Ireland86 contributions
Dec 2011 • Friends
Built by John de Courcey in the 11th century I believe, this castle really is poorly promoted by the powers that be, come on folks in whatever body that is in charge of this castle, this place could really benefit from some kind of promotion, an idea would be some nice lighting that could be seen from the main Newcastle-Belfast Road that would attract attention during darkness & therefore people would be more aware of this fantastic ancient monument.
Written 16 December 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter M
64 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
Fantastic views of the surroundings with a view of the Dundrum estuary looking south. Connecting to the carpark is the walking track which is a nice option although we didn't walk it. Parking yes and plenty of it. Free yes. Kid friendly yes. Toilets no.
Written 30 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it possible to conduct a small (3 people) ceremony to renew marriage vows at the site? No guest, no catering. Just some candles and maybe an official.
Written 31 July 2015
I honestly don't know! The site is managed by the Northern Ireland Environmental Agency so I would imagine you would need to ask their permission, although I have a feeling they wouldn't mind, as it is freely open to the public. Do an internet search in that name to get their contact details, and "Dundrum Castle" as well, and click on Images for the latter, as this will give you a good idea of what the ruins are like. I would think that the keep is the only suitable place for what you have in mind, as the floor is level, and it's more sheltered - your candles might not blow out!
Written 2 August 2015
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