Although the current Belfast Castle is located in Cave Hill Country Park, it wasn’t the city’s original fortress.
There was a castle in Belfast from the 1200s, and it would have looked vastly different from the current Disney-esque version.
This turreted stone building is surrounded by gardens and woodland and it’s arguably one of the most beautiful castles in Ireland.
Below, you’ll learn about its history, the tours, the walk and what to expect from a visit.
Some quick need-to-knows before visiting Belfast Castle
Although a visit to the mighty Belfast Castle is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
1. Location
Situated on the lower slopes of Cave Hill Country Park, Belfast Castle is a short 20-minute drive from Belfast City Centre, a 10-minute drive from Belfast Zoo and a 12-minute drive from the historic Crumlin Road Gaol.
2. Opening hours
Belfast Castle is open from 09:00 – 21:00 Monday to Sunday.
3. Parking
Belfast Castle has full car parking facilities but spaces are limited on busy weekends. There is currently no charge for parking.
4. It’s what’s outside that counts
Inside the grand front door, the ground and first floor rooms have retained their original features. However, the outside of the castle building is even more impressive. Surrounded by well-maintained gardens and woodland, the estate offers dramatic views across the Belfast City.
The history of Belfast Castle
Photos via Shutterstock
The Disney-like Belfast Castle is arguably one of the most famous castles in Northern Ireland, behind the likes of Dunluce Castle on the Antrim Coast.
Standing proudly in Cave Hill Country Park, the castle commands an elevated position, which affords it magnificent views of the city and beyond.
The first Belfast Castle
The first castle in Belfast was built in the 1200s, likely by Norman invaders.
The original castle was built in what we now know as the city, likely to keep watch for potential intruders attempting to enter via the River Lagan.
Over the next 100 years, a settlement grew around the castle, possibly in the Donegall Place corner of the city. The castle was rebuilt several times during from the 1200s to the 1550s.
The O’Neill Clan
In the mid-to-later 14th century, the O’Neill clan, powerful Irish chiefs, captured the castle.
They probably rebuilt it as a tower house, but this can’t be confirmed.
The O’Neills were powerful and, despite numerous attempts, managed to retain ownership of Belfast Castle for several hundred years.
Lots of turbulence
In 1476, the King of Tyrone, Henry O’Neill briefly seized and demolished Belfast Castle. The rebuilt castle didn’t last long and it was seized and destroyed again by Red Hugh O’Donnell in 1489.
Later, during the 16th century, the castle was occupied on 3 occasions by The House of Kildare.
It was captured by the English in 1552 and 1570 and then once again during the Nine Years’ War in the 1590s.
In the 1590s, during the Nine Years’ War, the English Crown seized Belfast Castle from the O’Neills. In 1597, Shane McBrian O’Neill briefly retook it, but Sir John Chichester reclaimed it for the English soon after.
The fire and the new castle
In 1708, a fire destroyed Belfast Castle, and for the first time in its history, it wasn’t rebuilt.
In the 1860s, the 3rd Marquess of Donegall decided to build a new castle on Cave Hill.
This new castle was designed in the Scots Baronial style and commanded a strategic location overlooking Belfast.
Modern history
In 1934, the Shaftesbury family, who had inherited the Belfast Castle, gave it to the City of Belfast.
Today, Belfast Castle is open to the public.
The castle has a visitor centre, a restaurant, and beautiful gardens, making it a wonderful place to explore and learn about Belfast’s rich history.
Things to do at Belfast Castle
One of the beauties of visiting Belfast Castle is there’s plenty to see and do once you arrive, with both rainy day activities and hikes and walks on offer.
Below, you’ll find everything from the brilliant Cave Hill Walk and the panoramic views of Belfast City to one of the more unique spots for coffee in Belfast and more.
1. Ramble around the castle
Photos by Gareth Wray © Tourism Ireland
Visitors can explore the public rooms on the ground and first floor.
The renovations have left many original architectural features intact including the fireplaces.
There’s a small cafe on the ground floor opening onto the terrace. After that, head outside to admire the impressive exterior and the stunning views.
2. Grab some of the best views of the city on the Cave Hill walk
Photo left via Shutterstock. Others via Google Maps
For more views, don your hiking boots and head out on the Cave Hill Trail. It’s a challenging trail and steep in places but very rewarding.
This circular hike should be tackled in an anticlockwise direction from the castle car park.
It takes you past the Devil’s Punchbowl, several caves and McArt’s Fort as you traverse moorland, heath and meadows.
This is regarded as one of the more challenging walks in Belfast for good reason.
3. Explore the Cave Hill Visitor Centre
Photo licensed from Nahlik
Cave Hill Visitor Centre is on the second floor of Belfast Castle. Free to visit, it has four rooms of exhibits and an 8-minute film about Cave Hill and Belfast Castle.
Newly refurbished, it tells the history of Belfast Castle, the people who lived on Cave Hill and how it got its name.
The exhibits on Belfast Castle show how it might have looked 100 years ago as a family home. It covers the former Pleasure Gardens, Floral Hall and Bellevue Zoo.
It also features the plants and animals that live in Cave Hill County Park within the woodland, heath, cliffs, caves and two nature reserves.
Things to do near Belfast Castle
One of the beauties of visiting Belfast Castle is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best things to do in Belfast.
Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do nearby:
- Key attractions: St George’s Market, Belfast City Hall, the Black Mountain, Titanic Belfast and the Cathedral Quarter
- Top-notch tours: The Black Cab Tour and Crumlin Road Gaol
- Food: See my guides to the best restaurants in Belfast. You’ll find everything from vegan restaurants and lively spots for bottomless brunch to great places for breakfast in Belfast
- Drink and general: See my Belfast pubs guide along with my guide on where to stay in Belfast
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.