Olderfleet Castle

Olderfleet Castle is a ruined four-storey towerhouse. The remains of the building stand at Curran Point to the south of Larne Harbour in the northeast coast town of Larne, County Antrim, in the north of Ireland (Irish: Latharna, Contae Aontroma, Tuaisceart Éireann) on the island of Ireland (Irish: Éire). The original towerhouse is thought to have been possibly constructed around 1250. The remains of the building that can now be seen have been estimated to have been built in around 1612.

It was at Larne in 1315 that Edward Bruce landed with an army of 6000 to conquer Ireland.  Edward Bruce (Scottish Gaelic: Eideard or Iomhair Bruis; c. 1280 – 14 October 1318), was a younger brother of Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland. He was proclaimed High King of Ireland in 1315 and crowned in 1316. His claim to the title was disputed and his reign short. He was defeated and killed at the Battle of Faughart in County Louth (Irish: Contae Lú) on 14th October 1318.

Image: Courtesy of National Library of Ireland - Larne Bay from Illustrations of the North of Ireland  drawing by James Howard Burgess published 1853.

Image below: Remains of Olderfleet Castle.