By Alaric 
If you’re looking for fairytale locations to visit in Northern Ireland then you must visit the Glenarm Barbican Gate.
It forms part of Glenarm Castle which has a history since the 13th century.
You may recognise it from fantasy movies such as Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves where it featured as a filming location.
It truly looks like it’s been plucked from the pages of a storybook.
What’s even better is that you can stay overnight as it’s recently been converted into a unique holiday let.
This stunning romantic folly has been on my bucket list for a while now and I was so happy to finally visit.
Here is how to visit the Glenarm Barbican in County Antrim and what to expect.
The History of Glenarm Castle
There has been a castle on the estate of Glenarm since the 13th century.
The castle was originally owned by John Bisset who was an expelled nobleman.
While competing in a tournament, he was implicated in the murder Padraig, the Earl of Atholl.
After his expulsion, he sailed to Northern Ireland and acquired lands from Larne to Ballycastle from Hugh de Lacy, the Earl of Ulster.
He decided to make Glenarm the seat of his family home and built a castle outside one of the existing villages in 1260.
The Bisset family owned the land until their rivals, the MacDonnells, killed the last surviving family member and seized the estate to build a new castle.
The MacDonnells were previously living in Dunluce Castle in the north but decided to move to Glenarm after the victory.
The residence we see today in Glenarm was built by Sir Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim in 1636.
The estate has remained in the MacDonnell family for over 400 years and is still a family home today.
Randal MacDonnell, the 15th Earl of Antrim, still lives in the castle with his wife Aurora and their two children.
The Glenarm Barbican Gate
Although the castle has a long history with medieval beginnings, the Glenarm Barbican Gate was built in 1825.
At first glance, it looks intimidating and like it was fortified to defend the keep against invaders.
Even the name Barbican is an Old French word for a fortified outpost or gateway and conjures up thoughts of valiant knights.
It has a historic coat of arms, its very own portcullis and there are even murder holes!
Also known as meurtrière, these holes were used as a defence against intruders.
They would usually pour rocks, arrows or hot water through them and onto their enemy’s heads.
Contrary to popular movies, they rarely used precious boiling oil from their stores due to the cost.
Beyond its intimidating appearance to outsiders, this gate is simply a romantic folly that hasn’t seen a whiff of a siege.
Its purpose was to look pretty but also separate the castle and demesne from the surrounding village.
It does have the look and feel of a medieval keep from a storybook and so this location has captured the attention of moviemakers over time.
Dungeons & Dragons Filming Location
If you’re a fan of Dungeons & Dragons then you will instantly recognise this location.
This gate is featured in the epic fantasy blockbuster Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
You’ll see it in the very beginning of the movie when Edgin Darvis is recounting his backstory to the Council of why he and his friend Holga are in Revel’s End prison.
Edgin was a Bard but also a member of the valiant Harpers and the gate features when he’s stopping bandits in their tracks.
I’ve also seen that both Glenarm Castle and Barbican Gate are going to appear in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
This is another Game of Thrones prequel and spin-off coming next year to HBO. So, watch this space for more updates.
Can you go inside Glenarm Castle?
Yes and no. Glenarm Castle is a private residence so you can’t visit the inside or get close to the exterior without booking a guided tour.
These only take place on select days throughout the year between March and November.
You can, however, visit the Glenarm Castle Gardens all year for £5 an adult.
This is a delightful 18th-century walled garden that has something new for every season.
But, it’s good to note that you can’t see the outside of the castle from the gardens.
Even if you don’t enter the gardens or castle, the Glenarm Castle complex is worth visiting.
There’s a small visitor centre, cafe, craft shops and a plethora of local history museums you can visit.
How to visit the Glenarm Barbican Gate
Fortunately, you don’t need to book a guided tour or buy any sort of garden ticket to visit the Glenarm Barbican Gate.
You can find the gate outside of Glenarm Castle on a public street and visit any time you like throughout the day!
Simply navigate your way to Castle Street in Glenarm and you’ll find the gate at the end of the road.
There are a few off-road parking spaces near The Old School House directly opposite the fairytale landmark. It’s very convenient.
Note that this is a residential area so please park with consideration and respect the neighbour’s privacy.
Exploring the Glenarm Barbican Gate
I’ve been wanting to see the Glenarm Barbican Gate for an age and so I was elated to finally arrive.
It honestly looks like something from a fairytale and transports you back in time.
The bridge and Barbican was built in 1825. You can see a small inscription on the front that reads;
“This gateway was built and the castle restored by Edmund McDonnell Esquire and his wife Anne Katherine, in her own rightCountess of Antrim and Viscountess Dunluce A.D. 1825”
The MacDonnell coat of arms on the gate looks entirely medieval and that’s because it is.
It was recovered from a castle that fell during a rebellion in 1640.
If you get closer to the gate, you can inspect the stunning emerald green studded door with ornate details.
You can also see the teeth of the portcullis, lattice windows and faux murder holes.
It makes such a wonderful photo opportunity and honestly feels like you’re in another world.
A fairytale bridge over Glenarm River
Whilst exploring the Barbican Gate, I loved admiring the views you got from the bridge over the Glenarm River.
As it was late October during my visit, the leaves from the trees were gorgeous shades of yellow and orange.
Due to the storms, some of the trees had already been stripped of their foliage and were already tree skeletons.
Though this did make me a little sad, the bright side was that I could clearly see the castle in the backdrop.
You can also view the Glenarm castle walls, the main bridge further down and the ocean.
When the water levels are low in summer, there are ways to climb down to the river edge to see this gate from the water.
I ended up spending around an hour here and loved every second. It’s such a magical place. I highly recommend visiting.
It makes a great pitstop on a road trip around Northern Ireland and the Causeway Coast.
Why not spend the night?
If you’re looking for fairytale accommodation in Northern Ireland, you will be happy to know that you can book to stay in the Glenarm Barbican!
That’s right, you can sleep in this stunning gatehouse and honestly, I think this would be a dream.
The holiday let is owned and managed by the Irish Landmark Trust. The only downside is you do have to stay for a minimum number of nights.
But, the prices are very reasonable and it looks so cosy inside. How magical!
If you are interested, I recommend booking a few months in advance to avoid disappointment.
Magical things to do in County Antrim
If you’re on a road trip around Northern Ireland there are so many amazing attractions in County Antrim.
Plus, some of these magical places are Dungeons & Dragons filming locations!
Most travellers will be driving the Causeway Coastal route and there are plenty of stops to make along the way.
You can start your journey at Carrickfergus Castle near Belfast. It’s an incredible fortress that has a history since the Normans in the 11th century.
This featured as parts of Neverwinter Castle when the gang are making their escape by boat with the treasure.
Why not stop at the The Hidden Village of Galboly? This is where Holga catches up with her ex-husband.
The area around Cushendun is stunning with Cushendun Caves, Murlough Bay and Fair Head.
Or, you can head further along to cross over the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge! This is featured in Game of Thrones along with Dunluce Castle.
Ballintoy Harbour is also a gorgeous spot that featured as the Iron Islands in Game of Thrones.
From here, you can hike over to Elephant Rock to see where they filmed the beach seasons in Dungeons & Dragons before the dark underworld.
You really can’t visit Northern Ireland without visiting the Giant’s Causeway. A magical attraction on the edge of the sea.
There is also Kinbane Castle, Dowanhill Strand and the beautiful Mussendun Temple owned by the National Trust.
Don’t forget to stop at the Dark Hedges. This evocative tree tunnel is popular but well worth visiting as it looks like a scene from a dark fairytale.
Read more of my Northern Ireland guides
How to visit Glenoe Waterfall
How to find the bizarre Garvagh Pyramid
Game of Thrones Studio Tour review
How to visit the Game of Thrones Tapestry
Glass of Thrones walk in Belfast
How to visit Pollnagollum Caves
Why you must visit the Crown Liquor Saloon in Belfast
Discover Northern Ireland
Save the Glenarm Castle Barbican Gate for later!
