Larne
Co. Antrim
Ireland
Circa Date: 1603 core w/18th, 19th, & 20th century alterations
Status: Fully Extant
House Open to Public: Limited Access to House - Grounds Open to Public
Country House: Yes
The House from a circa 1919 postcard
An 1825 engraving of the House from "Neale's Views of Seats"
An 1825 engraving of the House from "Neale's Views of Seats"
Built / Designed For: Sir Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim.
House & Family History: The current Glenarm has, at its core, a castle of 1603, built by Sir Randal MacDonnell, later 1st Earl of Antrim. The 1st Earl built the House as a hunting lodge; it became the family's principal seat after they abandoned Dunluce Castle. Glenarm has gone through many alterations and additions: it was rebuilt circa 1750; Anne, Countess of Antrim in her own right, commissioned William Vitruvius Morrison to encase the House in a Tudorbethan style, circa 1825; in 1929 Glenarm was gutted by fire and rebuilt to the designs of the London firm of Imrie & Angell; 1967 saw another fire that destroyed the service wing, which was rebuilt to the designs of Donald Insall. Through all of this the interiors remained firmly rooted in the classical style.
Comments: Mark Bence-Jones, writing in "A Guide to Irish Country Houses," calls the Barbican Gatehouse "…one of the most romantic pieces of 19th century medievalism in Ireland."
Garden & Outbuildings: The Barbican Gatelodge, now let as a holiday rental by the Irish Landmark Trust, was designed by Morrison in 1825 and is rather spectacular, perched at the far end of a bridge across the river, complete with battlemented walls. The Castle's Walled Garden is open to the public between May and September. In July of every year the grounds are the site of famous Highland games.
Architect: William Vitruvius Morrison
Date: Circa 1825Architect: Donald Insall
Date: Post 1967John Preston (J.P.) Neale, published under the title of Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. II, 1825.
Title: Guide to Irish Country Houses, A
Author: Bence-Jones, Mark
Year Published: 1988
Reference: pgs. 135-136
Publisher: London: Constable and Company
ISBN: 0094699909
Book Type: Hardback
Title: Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage, 1990
Author: Kidd, Charles; Williamson, David (Editors)
Year Published: 1990
Reference: pg. P 45
Publisher: London: Debrett's Peerage Limited (New York: St. Martin's Press, Inc.)
ISBN: 0312046405
Book Type: Hardback
Title: Country Life (magazine)
Author: NA
Year Published: NA
Reference: Oct 17, 2002, pg. 93
Publisher: London: Future plc
ISBN: NA
Book Type: Magazine
House Listed: Grade A
Park Listed: Unknown
Current Seat / Home of: Alexander Randal Mark McDonnell, 9th Earl of Antrim; McDonnell family here for 400 years.
Past Seat / Home of: Mark McDonnell, 5th Earl of Antrim, 19th century.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
Ownership Details: The Barbican Gatelodge is operated by the Irish Landmark Trust as a holiday home.
House Open to Public: Limited Access to House - Grounds Open to Public
Phone: 02828-841-203
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.glenarmcastle.com
Historic Houses Member: Yes