Glenarm Castle
Encyclopedia
Glenarm Castle, Glenarm
, County Antrim
, Northern Ireland
, is the ancestral home of the Earls of Antrim
.
There has been a castle at Glenarm
since the 13th century, and it is at the heart of one of Northern Ireland
’s oldest estates.
The present castle was begun by Sir Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim
, in 1636. It is currently owned by Alexander McDonnell, 9th Earl of Antrim and occupied by his son Randal, Viscount Dunluce and his wife Aurora.
The Castle is open to the public between May and September. In July of every year the grounds are the site of a world class Highland Games
.
Glenarm
Glenarm is a village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It lies on the North Channel coast north of the town of Larne and the village of Ballygalley, and south of the village of Carnlough. It had a population of 582 people in the 2001 Census. Glenarm takes it name from the glen in which it lies,...
, County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, is the ancestral home of the Earls of Antrim
Earl of Antrim
Earl of Antrim is a title that has been created twice, both times in the Peerage of Ireland and both times for members of the MacDonnell family, originally of Scottish origins. This family descends from Sorley Boy MacDonnell, who established the family in County Antrim...
.
There has been a castle at Glenarm
Glenarm
Glenarm is a village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It lies on the North Channel coast north of the town of Larne and the village of Ballygalley, and south of the village of Carnlough. It had a population of 582 people in the 2001 Census. Glenarm takes it name from the glen in which it lies,...
since the 13th century, and it is at the heart of one of Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
’s oldest estates.
The present castle was begun by Sir Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim
Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim
Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim , having been fostered in the Gaelic manner on the Scottish island of Arran by the Hamiltons, was the 4th son of Sorley Boy MacDonnell, and of Mary, daughter of Conn O'Neill, 1st Earl of Tyrone.He fought at first against the English government, participating...
, in 1636. It is currently owned by Alexander McDonnell, 9th Earl of Antrim and occupied by his son Randal, Viscount Dunluce and his wife Aurora.
The Castle is open to the public between May and September. In July of every year the grounds are the site of a world class Highland Games
Highland games
Highland games are events held throughout the &Highland games are events held throughout the &Highland games are events held throughout the &(-è_çà in Scotland and other countries as a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. Certain...
.