The history of the site on which the castle stands stretches back as far as the 12th century when the Normans first built a castle here. It was later replaced with a stone and timber castle which was burnt down in 1708.

The Scottish baronial style castle which can be seen to day was built by the 2nd Marquess of Donegall about 1870. It was however the heir to title of Earl of Shaftesbury who paid to have the castle completed after Donegall's money ran out.

Today as you stroll around Belfast city centre you can see many reminders of the famous Donegall and Shaftesbury families who have left their stamp on street name and place names like Donegall Square, Donegall Road, Donegall Pass, Donegall Street, Shaftesbury Avenue and Shaftesbury Square.

In 1934, the Shaftesbury family handed the castle and gardens over to the state so now visitors from all over the world can visit the castle and learn about the history of the castle itself, the families who lived here and the castle's influence on the city of Belfast.

Nowadays, the castle is a popular wedding and conference venue. There's also a restaurant, a gift shop and in the surrounding area you'll find lots of lovely walks and a playground for the kids.

Make sure you pop into the Cave Hill Visitor Centre on the second floor of the castle and see photographs, displays, audiovisual programmes and lots more about Cave Hill and Belfast Castle.

To get to the castle take the metro bus 1 north from near Belfast City Hall on Antrim Road.

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