GLENARM CASTLE
This castle is situated in the Barony of Lower Glenarm, a little more than twenty-five miles north of Belfast, in the County Antrim, where the Glenarm rivulet enters the bay.
The original stronghold was erected by the Byset family about the middle of the thirteenth century, and came into the MacDonnell family through the marriage of Margery Bisset.
The castle stood on the southern side of the river at the head of the street which leads from the barbican, and on the opposite bank from the present building.
In 1278 an inquisition was held after the death of two John Bysets to determine if the Earl of Ulster was right in making the fortress over to the Bishop of Connor as ecclesiastical property, and it was decided that the Bysets had not held the castle from the church.
Captain Pers and Malbie placed Randal Oge in possession of the stronghold in 1568, but the same year his ward surrendered it.
In 1597 it is reported James and Randal M’Donnell “broke” the castle, and it does not appear to have been afterwards rebuilt, although the ruins were standing for many years.
Sir Randal MacDonnell was granted the estate in 1603, and began to erect the present castle.
Sir Awla M’Awla petitioned against his possession of Glenarm in 1610, but apparently without effect.
Sir Randal greatly enlarged the dwelling in 1636, and the following inscription was placed over the entrance:—