Dundrum Castle

The origins of Dundrum Castle date back to the early 13th century, when John de Courcy began its construction. As early as 1203, the castle fell to Hugh de Lacy, who expanded it further. Ten years later, in 1210, ownership passed to the Crown when King John took possession of the site. In the following centuries, ownership changed hands frequently, including the Earl of Kildare in 1517 and Lord Deputy Grey in 1538, during which time the castle was known as Magennis Castle. Phelim Magennis handed it over to Lord Mountjoy in 1601, before it passed to Lord Cromwell in 1605 and Sir Francis Blundell in 1636. The Magennis family recaptured Dundrum in 1642, but the castle was destroyed in 1652. A reconstruction took place in 1660. Until the early 19th century, it served as the residence of the Marquess of Downshire, who transferred ownership to the state heritage agency in 1954.

The ruin of Dundrum Castle is located in Dundrum in County Down, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, at an elevation of approximately 41 meters above sea level.

The ruin is accessible to visitors and can be explored, allowing for direct engagement with the historical structure.

• Clough Castle (ruin), approx. 3.3 km away
• Quoile Castle (ruin), approx. 13.7 km away
• Jordan’s Castle (ruin), approx. 15.4 km away
• King's Castle (castle), approx. 15.5 km away