24 castles, from Norman keeps to the tower houses that Gaelic and Anglo-Irish families raised in their hundreds — and the ones that are now four walls and a jackdaw.
Ardglass Castle (also known as The Newark) is situated in Ardglass, County Down, Northern Ireland. It was originally a row of 15th-century warehouses by the harbour. Large sections of the original building can still be seen within the modern club house of Ardglass Golf Club. (Grid ref: 561 371)
Audley's Castle is a 15th-century castle located 1 mile (1.6 km) north-east of Strangford, County Down, Northern Ireland, on a rocky height overlooking Strangford Lough. It is a three-storey Tower house named after its 16th century owner, John Audley.
Bagenal's Castle (Irish: Caisleán Bagenal) is a 16th-century fortified house located in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. It was rediscovered in 1996, where it was found located in the premises of the former McCann's Bakery. The castle consists of a rectangular plan with three storeys and was made with granite.
Ballyroney Castle was a castle situated at Ballyroney, County Down, Northern Ireland. Originally constructed sometime in the 12th century as a motte and bailey castle, it was rebuilt by Justiciar of Ireland, John FitzGeoffrey in 1248.
Bangor Castle is a country house situated in Castle Park in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. The building, which is also referred to as Bangor City Hall and is now used as the offices of Ards and North Down Borough Council, is a Grade A listed building.
Bright Castle is a tower house near Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland. The ruined structure, which is a Scheduled Historic Monument in the townland of Bright, lies within Down District Council area, on Coniamstown Road, at grid ref: J5066 3822. It is sited on the edge of a ridge, overlooking the surrounding countryside.
Clough Castle is a 12th century Anglo-Norman motte-and-bailey castle located in Clough, County Down, Northern Ireland. It consists of a ruined tower house situated on a 7.6 metres (25 ft) high motte. A small crescent-shaped bailey lies next to the south-east of the motte, separated by a 2.1 metres (6 ft 11 in) deep ditch.
Dundrum Castle, a ruin standing over the town of Dundrum, County Down, Northern Ireland. It was constructed by John de Courcy, sometime near the beginning of the 13th century, following his invasion of Ulster.
Greencastle is a castle in County Down, Northern Ireland. While it dates mainly from the 13th century, it had substantial 15th- and 16th-century alterations. It was originally surrounded by outer rectangular walls with four corner towers (ruins of some remain).
Hillsborough Castle is an official government residence in Northern Ireland. It is the official residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and the official residence in Northern Ireland of the British monarch and other members of the British royal family when they visit the region, as well as a guest house for prominent…
Jordan's Castle (Irish: Caisleán MacSiurtain; Ulster Scots: Joardan's Kessel) is a castle situated in Ardglass, County Down, Northern Ireland. The tower house known as Jordan's Castle is a State Care Historic Monument sited in the townland of Ardglass, in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area, at grid ref: J5601 3713.
Kilclief Castle (Irish: Caislean Cill Cléithe; Ordnance Survey ref: J597457) is a tower-house castle beside Strangford Lough and 2.5 miles (4 km) south of the village of Strangford, County Down, Northern Ireland. Kilclief is a hamlet on the Strangford to Ardglass road.
Killowen Castle (Irish: Caislen Cill Eoghain) was a castle situated in the parish of Killowen, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The area was once known as Drumtarsy (Druim-tairsigh) and the castle known as Drumtarsy castle. The name "Drumtarsy" is no longer commonly recognized in the local area.
Killyleagh Castle is a castle in the village of Killyleagh, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is believed to be one of the oldest inhabited castles in the country, with parts dating back to 1180. It follows the architectural style of a Loire Valley château, being redesigned by the architect Sir Charles Lanyon in the mid-19th century.
King's Castle (Irish: Caisleán an Rí, Ulster Scots: Käng's Kessel) is a castle in Ardglass, County Down, Northern Ireland. It was originally built in the 12th century and additions were made at various times over the centuries.
Kirkistown Castle is a tower house situated near Cloghy, County Down, Northern Ireland.
Margaret's Castle is a castle in Ardglass, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a small Tower house probably built in the 15th century. Only two storeys still exist but there is evidence that it was at least three storeys high. It is vaulted above the ground floor with a rectangular tower with projecting turrets in the north west wall.
Narrow Water Castle (Irish: Caisleán an Chaoil; Ulster-Scots: Narra Wattèr Castle) is a 16th-century tower house and bawn near Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland. It is beside the A2 road and on the County Down bank of the Clanrye (Newry) River, which enters Carlingford Lough 1-mile (1.6 km) to the south.
Portaferry Castle is a small tower house in Portaferry, County Down, Northern Ireland, overlooking the harbour. It was built in the 16th century by William Le Savage. Portaferry Castle tower house is a State Care Historic Monument in the townland of Ballyphilip, in Borough of Ards, at grid ref: J5930 5085.
Quintin Castle is a castle situated in County Down, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) east of Portaferry. The Montgomerys sold the castle to George Ross, but he never lived in the castle, allowing it to become a near ruin. While he lived in The Mount Ross estate a few miles outside of Portaferry.
Quoile Castle is a castle situated 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland, just off the main road from Downpatrick to Strangford, on the east bank of the River Quoile. The castle was built during the late 16th / early 17th Century and was continuously used up to the 1700s.
Rathfriland Castle (Irish: Caislean Ráth Fraoileann) is a ruined castle in Rathfriland, County Down, Northern Ireland. The castle was a square building of 3–4 storeys with a stone barrel vault at the first floor level to reduce the risk of fire and was one of the seats of the Magennis's, Lords of Iveagh. Most of it was pulled down by Mr.
Sketrick Castle is a castle situated on Sketrick Island near Whiterock, County Down, Northern Ireland. The castle is estimated to date back to the 12th century.
The New Castle (Irish: An Caisleán Nua) is a ruined castle at the mouth of the Shimna River in Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland. The original castle is mentioned as early as 1433 and was built to guard a ford across the river. The castle was rebuilt in 1588 by Felix Magenis. It was demolished in 1830.
Descriptions are Wikipedia's own opening lines, used under CC BY-SA 4.0 with a link to each article; the list and the coordinates come from the same place. Nothing here is a guide to access — many of these are private homes or stand in private fields.
What stood in Down before anybody thought of building a keep.