Facebook
TwitterUK – Northern Ireland
Castles – UK – NORTHERN IRELAND
COUNTY FERMANAGH
Castle Balfour, Main Street, Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh, BT92 0JE, N.I.
028 9023 5000
Access at all times Built around 1618 by Sir James Balfour, a Scottish Planter this castle was in continuous occupation until the early 19C.
Monea Castle, 7 miles NW of Enniskillen, On the B81, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, N.I.
028 6632 3110
Access at all times
Imposing plantation castle built by Malcolm Hamilton around 1618. The castle was abandoned after a fire in 1750.
LONDONDERRY
Mountsandel Fort, Mountsandel Road, Coleraine, Londonderry, N.I.
Access at all times
This large oval mound, dominates the bank of the Bann River, beside the site of Ireland’s oldest house that was inhabited 9000 years ago.
Downhill Castle, 42 Mussenden Road, Castlerock, Londonderry, BT51 4RP, N.I.
028 708 48728 – downhill@nationaltrust.org.uk
Access to grounds all year
Near Mussenden Temple is the 18C ruined palace of the Temple’s eccentric builder the Earl Bishop Of Derry.
COUNTY DOWN
Bangor Castle, Castle Park, Bangor, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4BN, N.I.
028 912 70371
Exterior View only of castle
This Elizabethan Jacobean revival style castle was built in 1852 for the Hon. Robert Edward Ward. The gardens surrounding the castle have won many awards for their displays of flowers. The castle now serves as the Town Hall.
Clough Castle, Clough, At Junction A24 and A25, Clough, County Down, N.I.
028 9751 0721 – www.ntni.org
Access at all times
Anglo-Norman motte and bailey earthwork castle with added stone tower. Great views of the surrounding area from the top of the mound.
Strangford Castle, Strangford, County Down, N.I.
028 902 35000
Access at all times
Built to control ships entering Strangford Lough this castle is a 16C Tower House.
Mound Of Down, English Street, Downpatrick, County Down, N.I.
028 902 35000
Access at all times
This large man made earthwork with steep banks and outer ditch was the site of a much earlier fortification on which the Normans built a later castle. Today only the mound remains.
COUNTY ARMAGH
Grey Point Fort, Within Crawfordsburn Country Park, Helen’s Bay, Helen’s Bay, County Armagh, N.I.
028 918 53621
Open April-Sep Mon, Wed-Sun 14.00-17.00 Oct-March Sun 14.00-17.00
This fort was built to defend the Lough during the Two World Wars. There are still gun emplacements, quarters and stores.
Kirkistown Castle, Between Cloghy Bay and Kearney, On the Eastern Side Of the Ards Peninsula, Kearney, County Armagh, N.I.
External View Only
Built by the Savage family, who were Anglo-Norman landlords of the peninsular, in 1622 this impressive Tower House is well worth a view, even though the house is on private ground and not accessible to the public.
COUNTY ANTRIM
COUNTY TYRONE
Harry Avery’s Castle, 0.5 miles SW of Newtonstewart, in a field off the Rakelly Road, Newtonstewart, County Tyrone, N.I.
Access at all times
Majestic ruins of a Gaelic stronghold. The twin towers of the keep date from the 14C.
Castle Caulfield, Castlecaulfield, 3 miles W of Dungannon, Dungannon, County Tyrone, N.I.
Access at all times
Ruins of a mansion built in 1619 with murder holes, the Caulfield Arms and a plaque to the poet Charles Wolfe.
Tullaghoge Fort, 2.5 miles SE of Cookstown, Off the B162, Cookstown, County Tyrone, N.I.
Access at all times
This is where the Great Hugh O’Neill was crowned in 1593. It was the headquarters of the Cheif Justices of Ireland who performed the coronations of the O’Neills from the 12-17C. The fort also gives great views over the old kingdom of Tyrone.
Benburb Castle, In Benburb Valley Park, Main Street, Benburb, County Tyrone, N.I.
028 375 48241
Castle grounds open at all times
Positioned high above the Black Water River is this magnificent 17C castle.
CITY OF BELFAST
Belfast Castle & Visitors Centre, Antrim Road, North Belfast, Belfast, County Antrim, BT15 5GR, N.I.
028 907 76925 - www.belfastcastle.co.uk
Mon-Sat 09.00-22.00 Sun 09.00-18.00
The castle was presented to the city in 1934. It sits on the top of “cave hill” which has long been the seat of Ulster rulers. Trails lead off from the castle to five caves thought to be ancient mines. Visitors centre has 4 different exhibition rooms.
