BELFAST

CASTLE

BELFAST CASTLE

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Perched 120 metres (400 feet) above sea level on the rugged slopes of Cave Hill, Belfast Castle offers a majestic vantage point over the city and Belfast Lough. Built in the Scottish Baronial style in 1870, its honey-coloured sandstone façade, complete with turrets and crow-stepped gables, strikes a fairytale silhouette against the dramatic backdrop of the basalt cliffs.

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“Cat Garden”

The castle's most charming secret lies within its ornamental gardens: the "Cat Garden". According to local legend, the castle's residents—the Donegall family—believed that as long as a white cat lived there, the household would have good luck. Today, this tradition is honoured with nine hidden feline references scattered throughout the formal gardens, including mosaics, sculptures, and topiaries. Make a point of finding all nine cats in the garden. It is a subtle detail that many rush past, but it offers a delightful way to explore the garden's nooks and crannies.

Cave Hill Ascent

While the castle views are superb, the true panorama is found by hiking further up Cave Hill to "Napoleon’s Nose"—the basalt outcrop that is said to have inspired Jonathan Swift’s sleeping giant in Gulliver’s Travels.

Sunset Views

If visiting in the late afternoon, stay for sunset on the terrace. Watching the lights of Belfast flicker on across the valley is a memorable experience.