Glenarm Castle, dates from 1750, with early 19th century alterations. It lies near the village of Glenarm, home of John Rea, Ireland's most famous Hammered Dulcimer player. The Glenarm estate actually extends for about four miles up Glenarm Glen itself, which is the most southerly of the nine Glens of Antrim.

The present Earl of Antrim is Randal MacDonnell, and it is his younger brother, the Hon. Hector MacDonnell who is Patron of the Causeway Dulcimer Festival. Hector, as well as having a passion for traditional music, is a noted historian, writer and a painter with an international reputation.

Glenarm Castle was the scene for the Antrim forerunner to this new festival, when in 2003, I organised a concert which was held in the old kitchen of Glenarm Castle and which featured four Hammered Dulcimer players.

To learn more about this concert, go to

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Here are two photos taken at CDF/05 showing some detail of the castle

Hector McDonnell playing Dulcimer with a group of guest musicians at the launch of the 1st Causeway Dulcimer Festival.

[photo R & B Davis ]

Hector McDonnell with Lisa, Christie, Rick, Lindsay, Jenny & Butch at the Glenarm Castle Launch of CDF/05.

[Photo Jenny Coxon ]

Castle Music with the Hammered Dulcimers & Mountain Dulcimer of Christie, Rick & Butch.

[photo R & B Davis ]

Walled Garden of Glenarm Castle
Opened Easter 2005
Glenarm, Co. Antrim, N. Ireland
Opening Times
Wednesday to Sunday - 11 am to 5 pm
From 25th March to 30th September
2005 including Bank Holidays
Historic Walled Garden
Craft Workshops : Tea Room
Admission: Adults £3.50, Children £2.00, Family £10.00
(Discount for pre-booked parties)
Coach tours welcome : Free parking
email or phone for details
Tel: 02828841203 Fax 02828841305
E-Mail -
Web -

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Dunluce Castle

Dunluce is the ancestral home of the MacDonnells of Antrim.

Built on a rocky promontory 2 miles west of Bushmills, this was at one time the finest fortress in Ireland, and was impregnable until eventually being abandoned by the MacDonnells in the 17th Century.

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