Frommer's Review
This impressive Norman castle looms darkly over the entrance to Belfast Lough, where William of Orange landed on June 14, 1690, en route to the Battle of the Boyne. The central keep inside dates to the 12th century, the thick outer walls were completed 100 years later, and the gun ports are a relatively new addition, only 400 years old. The castle has withstood sieges by Edward the Bruce in 1315 and King John in 1210, though it was temporarily captured by the French in 1760. The outside is more impressive than the inside, which has been largely dedicated to inspiring the imagination of children. The use of waxwork figures inside (riding horses, threatening to shoot people over the walls) is a bit over-the-top, and it's a shame that, in the interest of safety, the keep's upper windows are glassed in, making it impossible to photograph the lovely view (or even to see it properly). Much of the remains of the castle walls were closed to the public on our visit, so we couldn't take in the view from there. Still, kids will love it, although those without little ones may want to take a photo and drive on. In the summer, medieval banquets, a medieval fair, and a crafts market are held, adding a touch of play and pageantry.
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