Red Bay Castle

Red Bay Castle  sits on a promontory north of Glenariff, between Cushendall and Waterfoot.

Originally there was a motte-and-bailey fortification here, associated with the Gaelic kingdom of Dál Riata.

In the 13th century, the Bissett family (exiled from Scotland) built a stone castle (or on the site of earlier wooden/baily works). Walter de Bisset was accused of murdering the Earl of Atholl in 1242 in Scotland, leading to the family’s move to Ireland.

MacDonnells & Conflict
Through marriage—John Mór MacDonald marrying Margery Bissett—the MacDonnells of Antrim gained control of the Glens and thus Red Bay.

In 1561, Sir James McDonnell built or rebuilt a more substantial stone castle on the site.

In 1565, Shane “The Proud” O’Neill destroyed the castle (burnt it), and took James McDonnell’s brother Sorley prisoner. The castle was later repaired.

James of Dunluce (a later MacDonnell) used stones from Red Bay to repair Dunluce Castle, weakening Red Bay.

Restoration efforts took place in 1604, including garrisoning as part of local defence obligations.
antrimhistory.net

Finally, in 1652, during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, the castle was destroyed by Cromwell’s forces. After that it fell into ruin.

Today only some ruins remain: a wall of the two-storey tower house, portions of curtain wall, and features like beam-holes and decorative stone mouldings.

It is a scheduled monument (i.e. protected) under heritage laws.