Castle Pyke, Game Of Thrones

Dunluce Castle Ireland

Causeway Coastal Route

Dunluce Castle Ireland

Dunluce Castle is a dramatic medieval ruin on a basalt cliff on Northern Ireland’s Antrim Coast, known for its stunning views and rich history as a MacDonnell fort (connected to the main land by a narrow bridge), inspiring its use as Pyke Castle in Game of Thrones (GOT). The Castle ruins today are part of a fantasy world and have inspired many writers, poets, and modern-day artists.

Dunluce Castle is hugely famous for its folklore, especially the tale of its kitchen collapsing into the sea during a fierce storm in 1639, taking several servants with it and leading to the castle’s eventual abandonment by the MacDonnell clan. Legend says only a kitchen boy survived, hiding in a corner, while other tales involve banshees, ghosts and shipwrecks, inspiring the home of the Ironborn Greyjoy known for their warrior culture focused on salt, stone, and strength from the sea.

Antrim, Northern Ireland

5 Facts Before You Visit Dunluce Castle in Ireland

Dunluce Castle is situated on a rocky outcrop along the Causeway Coastal Route in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
The ruins are a historical site dating back to the 13th century, though much of what remains is from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Dunluce Castle in Northern Ireland was used as the filming location for Castle Pyke, the seat of the House Greyjoy in Game of Thrones (GOT).
Computer-generated imagery (CGI) was used to create the larger version of the fortress seen in GOT.
Dunluce Castle is a paid attraction with fees for adults (£6) and children (£4), but you can get great views and photos from nearby spots like the Magheracross Lookout (free parking) without paying.