Ireland · Ruin
Shane's Castle ruins
Shane's Castle is a medieval-origin castle near Antrim on the north-east shore of Lough Neagh. The site includes a surviving medieval keep and low curtain walls and was the location of a later Victorian-Gothic mansion built in the 1860s; the later house was destroyed in the 20th century and the complex now stands as ruins.
First raised
1345
Its prime
1870
Today
Ruin
As it stood in 1870
The shape it held in its prime.
A cluster of grey rubble-stone structures set in parkland on the shore of Lough Neagh: a cylindrical medieval keep several storeys high with crenellated parapet, a taller rectangular multi-storey range with large vertical window openings, and low curtain walls and foundations forming an inner ward. To one side a long arcaded service range runs along the forecourt. In the castle's prime a Victorian-Gothic mansion occupied the site with pitched roofs and multiple chimneys, the whole ensemble roofed and complete.
Its story
The story of Shane's Castle ruins.
A member of the Clandeboy O'Neill dynasty built the castle on the north-east shore of Lough Neagh in 1345. Originally known as Edenduffcarrick — from the Irish éadán dúcharraige, 'brow of black rock' — it owes its present name to Shane McBrian McPhelim O'Neill, who ruled Lower Clandeboy between 1595 and 1617.
In 1809 it was decided to rebuild the Plantation castle to a design by John Nash, but a fire in 1816 left it in ruins, though the family papers were saved. A large Victorian-Gothic castle built in the 1860s survived until 1922, when the IRA burnt it down. The grounds later carried a narrow-gauge tourist railway run by Raymond O'Neill, 4th Baron O'Neill.
Step inside
8 places to explore in 1870.
The record describes 8 distinct spots at Shane's Castle ruins — including 1 interior: interior of the round keep. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more photos, more angles and more rooms of the immersive experience.
Create History
Recreate Shane's Castle ruins with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1870 — a photoreal walk that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
Recreate Castle to Explore →Whose castle
Clans who held Shane's Castle ruins.
The families that held Shane's Castle ruins for a decade or more across its history — follow a name to its clan.
Built in 1345 by the Clandeboy O'Neill dynasty and named for Shane McBrian McPhelim O'Neill, ruler of Lower Clandeboy 1595–1617; the O'Neills, latterly Barons O'Neill, have held the estate into the modern era.
