Red Bay Castle

Red Bay Castle is a historic ruin located on a prominent headland projecting into the sea north of Glenariff in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Situated along the road to Cushendall, the site originally served as an early motte-and-bailey outpost for the Kingdom of Dál Riata before being developed into a substantial stone fortress. The castle was initially constructed in the 13th century by the Bissett family, Scottish nobles who fled to Ireland after Walter de Bisset was accused of murdering the Earl of Atholl in 1242. Following their exile, King Henry III granted the family extensive lands in the Barony of Glenarm, where they established this strategic coastal stronghold.

The property later passed to the MacDonnells of Antrim through the marriage of John Mor MacDonald to Margery Bissett. In the 16th century, the MacDonnells significantly extended and rebuilt the structure, transforming it into a key defensive position. However, its history is marked by violent conflict; the castle was burned to the ground in 1565 by Shane O'Neill during regional power struggles. Although Sorley Boy MacDonnell subsequently restored the fortifications, it faced further destruction during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland when Oliver Cromwell's forces demolished the site in 1652. A brief restoration occurred in 1604 between these major conflicts, highlighting its enduring strategic value.

Today, Red Bay Castle exists only as a ruin, standing as a testament to the turbulent medieval and early modern history of the Glens of Antrim. While the structure is no longer habitable or fully intact, the remnants offer insight into the architectural evolution from early outposts to fortified clan seats. The site remains a notable landmark for those interested in the lineage of the Bissett and MacDonnell families, as well as the broader military history of Northern Ireland's north coast.