Living history weekend at Dunluce Castle

From the early matchlock black powder musket right up to more modern firearms, see how the ultimate weapon of war evolved over the past 400 years when the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) brings soldiers from different eras back to life for your family to enjoy.

NIEA Archaeologist Edith Logue said: “Every weekend throughout the summer visitors will have a wonderful opportunity to experience what life was like at this late medieval castle. Games, musicians, basketry, musket displays, all will give visitors a sense of what life was like in this dramatic castle.”

Living History characters will be demonstrating an array of weapons and will provide talks on the different types of firearms as the history of guns is told. Live demonstrations of some of the guns will no doubt re-create the awesome power of the gun over the sword throughout history.

Visitors will be allowed to handle some of the replica guns, unloaded of course.

Dunluce Castle, situated on a spectacular cliff top between Portrush and Portballintrae, was once the stronghold of the McDonnell’s, Earls of Antrim and Lords of the Isles, and, as such was an important location in 16th and 17th century Ireland. Along with the castle was a thriving market town, the remains of which have been uncovered during recent excavations at Dunluce.

Admission is free with all the fun of the fair included. A larger parking area than normal is available at the Castle for this event.