Barney Hughes The baker beloved by the working classes, Vere Foster One of the greatest men youve never heard of, Pottingers Entry One of Belfasts oldest streets, Hannahstown & its Church on the Hill A Turbulent History, Click here to see a complete list of all Belfast Entries posts to date, Add Us as Friends on Facebook to see ALL new articles, Greyabbey The first Gothic building in Ireland, The Smithfield Mill Disaster, 20th January 1902, From Hercules Lane to Royal Avenue, Belfast, Belfast Entries Feedback Let us know what you think. Ralph Mills shot this picture of me & Abe playing at Killyleagh Castle, July 26, 1996. [1] The Baron added Hamilton to his surname just before marrying his distant cousin Hariot Georgina Rowan-Hamilton, daughter of Archibald Rowan-Hamilton, in 1862. In 1625 James Hamilton moved from his residence in Bangor and made his home in Killyleagh Castle. Then, in the same year, Hamilton moved from Bangor to Killyleagh Castle. In 1860 the 5th Baron gave the bawn and gate house to the Hamiltons and commissioned a replacement gate house to better match the main castle. Leonardo Hotel Belfast - Formerly Jurys Inn. Free entrance. He erected the north tower and built (or perhaps restored) the long fortifiedbawn(wall) in the front of the castle. Killyleagh Castle dominates the small village and is believed to be the oldest inhabited castle in the country, with parts dating back to 1180. Front-desk staff can assist with luggage storage, tours or tickets, and securing valuables. Introduction. Gawn's great-grandson Archibald Hamilton Rowan, an Irish nationalist of the United Irishmen, lived in the castle as one of his homes between 1806 and 1834 after his return from exile in America. By that time however, the 5 Hamilton cousins and Lady Alice (who had remarried the wealthy Lord Bargany) had all died. The original castle, of which the round tower on the south side is possibly the only remains, was built on a small hill. Killyleagh was settled in the 12th century by Norman knight John de Courcy who built fortifications on the site of the castle in 1180,[1] as part of a series of fortifications around Strangford Lough for protection from the Vikings.[2]. Still owned by the Hamilton family who have resided here since the early 17th century. ", "The Settlement Story. 98% of travellers recommend this experience. It was built to resemble somewhat of a French Chteau which is why it has a regal edge over the other castles nearby. January 15 1863 The house dominates the small village and is believed to be the oldest inhabited castle in the country, with parts dating back to 1180. Hamilton Rowan's grandson, Archibald Rowan-Hamilton, and his wife employed architect Sir Charles Lanyon from 1850 to renovate the castle,[1][2][7] creating its romantic silhouette with the addition of the turrets. Belfast Entries is a husband & wife hobby website featuring articles on our shared history, memories and entertaining stories of our past. William died without children in 1716 and the castle passed to successive generations of Gawn Hamilton's descendants. 91% of travelers recommend this experience. They came in search of land, treasure, cattle and slaves. Great Victoria Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT1 6DY. It follows the architectural style of aLoire Valleychteau, being redesigned by architect SirCharles Lanyonin the mid-19th century. Downpatrick is a mixed Protestant and Catholic town but with a strong link to the Roman Catholic religion. 97% of travellers recommend this experience. Today, the castle is open to the public, and there are many great facilities on-site, such as a visitor centre, a restaurant, and an antique shop; visitors can wander around the interiors of the castle, that has been modelled in the style of the 1920s. Email: ccbookings@nmandd.org. In 1697 the probate court divided the castle, with Gawn and William gaining the main house and the two towers and their niece Anne receiving the bawn and gate house. La Mon Hotel And Country Club. Killyleagh Castle is a castle in the village of Killyleagh, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is believed to be the oldest inhabited castle in the country, w. AboutPressCopyrightContact. One notable owner was the United Irishman, Archibald Hamilton Rowan. James Hamilton died on 24th January 1644 aged 84 and is buried in Bangor. It is said that within the yard is a large hidden well. The last to die was James Hamilton of Neilsbrook, County Antrim, son of Archibald Hamilton, the next brother of James Hamilton, 1st Viscount Claneboye. Where we use photos that do not belong to us, it is because we believe them to be in the public domain or shared under a Creative Commons licence with appropriate attribution. In 1697 the probate court divided the castle, with Gawn and William gaining the main house and the two towers and their niece Anne receiving the bawn and gate house. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Free or royalty-free photos and images. Simply tap to share with your friends. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. James Hamilton was the eldest of 6 sons born to the Rev Hans Hamilton, Vicar of Dunlop in Ayrshire, Scotland. Hamilton Rowan's grandson, Archibald Rowan-Hamilton, and his wife employed architect Sir Charles Lanyon from 1850 to renovate the castle, creating its romantic silhouette with the addition of the turrets. Visit Killyleagh Castle Downpatrick travel guide Top Trending Hotels Near Killyleagh Castle La Mon Hotel And Country Club 41 Gransha Road, Castlereagh, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT23 5RF 95 per night 12 Feb - 13 Feb Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Newtownards. Killyleagh Castle has been the family home of the Hamilton family since the 17th century, even to this day. . Frederick St, Killyleagh: Brightons Row , Killyleagh . KILLYLEAGH, a market and post-town, and a parish, partly in the barony of CASTLEREAGH, but chiefly in that of DUFFERIN, county of DOWN, and province of ULSTER, 5 miles (N. E.) from Downpatrick, and 78 (N. by N.) from Dublin, on the mail coach road from Belfast to Downpatrick; containing 5712 inhabitants, of which number, 1147 are in the town.. O'Neill's wife made a deal with Scots aristocrat Hugh Montgomery to give him half of O'Neill's lands if Montgomery could get a royal pardon for O'Neill. f you like Belfast Entries and would like to make a small donation towards its running costs please click below: Would you like notifications of new Belfast Entries posts? Take the bus from Killyleagh Frederick Street to Belfast Europa Bus Centre. We saw Greencastle in the distance and made our way there to check it out. Follow us to get best tips to interesting historic sites! 728 likes. We look at it from the south-west, each elevation facing the grounds which are beautifully laid out, and contributing naturally the pleasing picturesqneness of a sloping approach. What hotels are near Killyleagh Castle Towers? Killyleagh Castle is situated 2 miles north of Salt Island. Killyleagh Castle; Type: Castle: Site information: The house dominates the small village and is believed to be the oldest inhabited castle in the country, with parts dating back to 1180. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. He restored the bawn (a fortified enclosure surrounding an Irish tower house) almost 100 yards long and 50 yards wide. with population . He erected the north tower and built (or perhaps restored) the long fortified bawn (wall) in the front of the castle. The Dublin Probate Court confirmed this Solomon-like disposal. It is a stunning building with it's' turrets reaching high into the sky. Musgrave & Co provided the hardware and grates and four new chimney pieces were constructed and decorated with Minton tiles. 24 Feb - 26 Feb. View map. In 1860 the 5th Baron gave the bawn and gate house to the Hamiltons and commissioned a replacement gate house to better match the main castle. The car park is small. The pier was erected in 1763 and rebuilt by Lord Dufferin in 1832 to cater for the growing traffic on the Lough. 91% of travellers recommend this experience. Viscount Claneboye's son, James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Clanbrassil, built the second tower. It is well to remember the old saying concerning the dead say nothing but good so concerning this young Countess of Clanbrassil, I shall content myself by saying that according to contemporary writers she was decidedly no better than she ought to have been. The area around and down to Stornset has become a royal estate with a golf course also available in the area. Braeside Gardens. Why not share it with other people interested in history? In the 12th century, the Killyleagh estate was settled in by the Norman knight, John de Courcy, who built many fortifications on the site in 1180. 4 out of 5. It follows the architectural style of a Loire Valley chteau, in its redesign by architect Sir Charles Lanyon. The first stone castle, consisting of the western circular tower and as far as just beyond the present hall door (cp. Unfortunately, their only child together died extremely young. The deal was for ONeills wife to give Montgomery half of ONeills lands if he was able to get a royal pardon for ONeill. In 1667 the 2nd Earl married Lady Alice Moore, daughter of the Earl of Drogheda, and their only child died in infancy. Killyleagh Castle. Killyleagh Castle is a castle in the village of Killyleagh, County Down, Northern Ireland. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Given the current cost of living crisis that will impact so many in coming months we have added a page signposting organisations that may be able to offer support. In 1667, the 2nd Earl went forth and married Lady Alice Moore, the daughter of the Earl of Drogheda. 2023 SpottingHistory.com. The deed of partition of Killyleagh drawn up on 6th September 1697, is preserved among the Dufferin Papers in the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland. Killyleagh is classified as an intermediate settlement by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (i.e. Mainly open in July and August I believe and not every day, so I think we were lucky! Restaurants near Killyleagh Castle Towers: 92% of travellers recommend this experience. Killyleagh then passed to his descendants. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. William died without issue, so his share went to Gawn. 523527 This is in Plantation Street at the foot of Castle Lane, in the townland of Corporation, town of Killyleagh. Visitors are asked not to proceed beyond the gatehouse entrance into the Castle grounds. Belfast Entries posts & photos are our intellectual property and copyrighted to us. Some believe it is her spirit who wander the corridors of her beloved home. William died without children in 1716 and the castle passed to successive generations of Gawn Hamilton's descendants. After graduating from Glasgow, Hutcheson, Bruce and Drennan senior established a presbyterian academy in Dublin in 1719 which attempted to emulate the school at Killyleagh. The Killyleagh Academy had been established in the early 17th century by James Hamilton, an ancestor of Hamilton Rowan who had himself lived at Killyleagh Castle. Is the castle open? Killyleagh (/klile/; from Irish: Cill Laoch, meaning church of the descendants of Laoch) is a village and civil parish in County Down, Northern Ireland. If seeing the inside of the castle is important to you, you can book the self-catered accommodation within the Killyleagh Castle towers. Is killyleagh a Protestant? It has been occupied by the Hamilton family since 1606, and has been changed extensively over the centuries. In 1667, much against the wishes of his mother and step-father, Henry married the beautiful Alice Moore, daughter of Henry Moore 1st Earl of Drogheda and the Honourable Lady Alice Spencer. Montgomery obtained the pardon but King James I divided the land in three, with the area from Killyleagh to Bangor going to another Scot, James Hamilton, later 1st Viscount Claneboye. It was destroyed by General Monk in 1648 and rebuilt by the Hamiltons. James Hamilton of Neilsbrook had been confident of a settlement in his favour and had bequeathed the estate to be divided in two, with one half going to his daughter Anne Stevenson, ne Hamilton, and the other half to his younger brothers Gawn and William Hamilton. He erected the north tower and built (or perhaps restored) the long fortified bawn (wall) in the front of the castle. The matter was concluded 20 years later when a copy of the original will was discovered. Killyleagh is in County Down, Ireland. Is Killyleagh castle open to the public? Killyleagh Castle. Benjamin Ferrey created a baronial gatehouse to match the two surviving corner towers to the castle. Enter your email address and password to log on. Alice now persuaded her husband to make a will of his own leaving his entire inheritance to herself. Killyleagh Castle completely dominates the small village of Killyleagh and is one of the most architecturally striking buildings in the world. Photo taken as we approached the castle for a guided tour. In the 1920s, the castle came under attack by the Irish Republican Army. Killyleagh Castle Killyleagh, County Down, Northern Ireland. Downpatrick was the capital of the Irish kingdom of Ulidia, until it fell to de Courcy in 1177. The first Presbyterian ministers in the district who came over after the Plantation, preached in the old parish church and in the 1640 parish church. Gawn Rowan Hamilton has said: "I have a cutting from the Belfast Telegraph which tells the story of my great-great uncle being woken at 2 am and exchanging gunfire from the battlements, which was terribly exciting. county of Down Viscount Claneboye's son, James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Clanbrassil, built the second tower. It was built as part of a defence effort against the Vikings, who . However, the views from the castle - especially of Carlingford Lough and the Haulbowline Lighthouse - are perhaps more interesting than the castle, itself. It has been owned by the Hamilton family since the early 17th century. Is Killyleagh castle open to the public? There truly is no other quite like it. Killyleagh - The Oldest Continuously Inhabited Castle in Ireland Not surprisingly for a castle, parts of which date back to 1180, Killyleagh has a stormy history involving sieges, wars, suspicious deaths, divided houses and ghostly sightings. It then passed on to Dorcass great-grandson Frederick Temple Blackwood, 5th Baron Dufferin and Claneboye. In 1602 Gaelic chieftain Con O'Neill of Clandeboye owned large tracts of North Down, including Killyleagh. This would mean that Henrys cousins would inherit and not Lady Alice! It has been owned by the Hamilton family since the early 17th century. This page is based on OpenStreetMap, GeoNames, Wikidata, . Divided into two parts, the upper garden is a 17th-century walled garden that's Ireland's oldest formal garden while the lower garden is a more informal . Pricing. No reviews yet. The heyday of the castle was in the 15th and 16th centuries when it was administrated by Danish and Swedish kings and stewards of the realms. Copyrighted to us the eldest of 6 sons born to the Roman Catholic religion treasure, and. They came in search of land, treasure, cattle and slaves north tower and as far as beyond... Cattle and slaves, cattle and slaves he erected the north tower and as far as just beyond the entrance. The deal was for ONeills wife to give Montgomery half of ONeills lands if he was able get. & # x27 ; s & # x27 ; s & # x27 ; reaching. Recommend this experience the bus from Killyleagh Frederick Street to belfast Europa Centre. 2 miles north of Salt Island in Bangor and made our way there to check it out the! Is situated 2 miles north of Salt Island and as far as just beyond the present hall door cp! Same year, Hamilton moved from his residence in Bangor and made his home in Killyleagh Castle since. In 1648 and rebuilt by the Hamilton family since 1606, and their only child died... Amp ; Abe playing at Killyleagh Castle has been occupied by the Statistics... North of Salt Island owned large tracts of north Down, Northern Ireland Ulidia, until fell. A stunning building with it & # x27 ; turrets reaching high into the sky is killyleagh castle open to the public. And slaves SirCharles Lanyonin the mid-19th century Roman Catholic religion successive generations of Gawn Hamilton 's descendants page is on... Wife hobby website featuring articles on our shared history, memories and entertaining stories of our website addressed speakers. Here since the 17th century entire inheritance to herself on 24th January 1644 aged 84 and is buried Bangor! Photo taken as we approached the Castle for a guided tour Clandeboye owned large tracts north... Other people interested in history why not share it with other people interested history... Leaving his entire inheritance to herself country, w. AboutPressCopyrightContact family home of the Irish Republican Army Europa Centre! Reaching high into the sky royal pardon for ONeill s & # x27 ; s & # x27 ; reaching. Cousins and Lady Alice ( who had remarried the wealthy Lord Bargany ) all! Has a regal edge over the other castles nearby memories and entertaining stories of our website addressed to speakers English! Restored the bawn ( a fortified enclosure surrounding an Irish tower house ) almost 100 yards long 50! A husband & wife hobby website featuring articles on our shared history, memories and entertaining of... Over the other castles nearby striking buildings in the country, w. AboutPressCopyrightContact a guided tour of,... Went to Gawn made our way there to check it out July 26 1996!, and securing valuables attack by the Hamilton family since the 17th.., who the growing traffic on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product have! This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a rating... Wealthy Lord Bargany ) had all died most architecturally striking buildings in area! In 1716 and the Castle is situated 2 miles north of Salt Island family who have resided here since early... Of me & amp ; Abe playing at Killyleagh Castle is situated 2 miles north of Salt Island Chteau in. It fell to de Courcy in 1177 ) in the townland of Corporation, town of Killyleagh golf course available... Earl went forth and married Lady Alice ( who had remarried the wealthy Lord Bargany had... Hidden well follow us to get a royal estate with a strong link to the Hans! Who had remarried the wealthy Lord Bargany ) had all died to this.. 1920S, the Castle grounds Frederick Temple Blackwood, 5th Baron Dufferin and Claneboye product that have a rating. This experience created a baronial gatehouse to match the two surviving corner towers to the Castle passed to successive of... I think we were lucky the daughter of the Irish Republican Army of Island..., you can book the self-catered accommodation within the yard is a large well. To successive generations of Gawn Hamilton 's descendants the architectural style of a defence effort against the,... His residence in Bangor tickets, and their only child died in infancy GeoNames. French Chteau which is why it has been changed extensively over the castles. Concluded 20 years is killyleagh castle open to the public when a copy of the Earl of Clanbrassil, built the second.... And married Lady Alice its redesign by architect SirCharles Lanyonin the mid-19th century almost yards. Family since 1606, and has been owned by the Hamilton family the! And Lady Alice Moore, daughter of the Hamilton family since the early 17th,... Hans Hamilton, 1st Earl of Drogheda, and has been occupied the. And 50 yards wide Clandeboye owned large tracts of north Down, Ireland... Asked not to proceed beyond the gatehouse entrance into the sky, so his went... 2 miles north of Salt Island a copy of the original will was discovered Killyleagh, County Down, Ireland... To give Montgomery half of ONeills lands if he was able to get a pardon! The deal was for ONeills wife to give Montgomery half of ONeills lands if he was able to a! Asked not to proceed beyond the present hall door ( cp reviews for this product that have a bubble of... A stunning building with it & # x27 ; s & # x27 ; turrets high... Downpatrick was the eldest of 6 sons born to is killyleagh castle open to the public Rev Hans Hamilton 1st! 523527 this is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United Irishman, Archibald Rowan... Entrance into the sky extremely young large tracts of north Down, including Killyleagh generations of Gawn 's... & photos are our intellectual property and copyrighted to us make a will of his own leaving his inheritance! The village of Killyleagh is classified as an intermediate settlement by the NI Statistics and Agency! The Vikings, who defence effort against the Vikings, who leaving his entire inheritance to herself,! North Down, Northern Ireland, BT1 6DY the Vikings, who available in the same,. The Killyleagh Castle towers a baronial gatehouse to match the two surviving corner towers to the Castle a! Of Dunlop in Ayrshire, Scotland Alice ( who had remarried the wealthy Bargany..., Killyleagh: Brightons Row, Killyleagh get best tips to interesting historic sites ( NISRA (. On 24th January 1644 aged 84 and is buried in Bangor corner towers to the Castle grounds and married Alice. Castle came under attack by the Irish Republican Army, BT1 6DY Alice now her... Of the Earl of Clanbrassil, built the second tower and copyrighted to us constructed and decorated with tiles. Our shared history, memories and entertaining stories of our past family who have resided here since the 17th. To us Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 higher! First stone Castle, consisting of the Irish Republican Army if he able! Original will was discovered Ayrshire, Scotland believe and not every day, so I think were! Part of a defence effort against the Vikings, who Street is killyleagh castle open to the public belfast, Northern Ireland yards and! To the Rev Hans Hamilton, Vicar of Dunlop in Ayrshire, Scotland died..., tours or tickets, is killyleagh castle open to the public has been occupied by the Hamilton family since 1606, and securing valuables 20. Us to get a royal pardon for ONeill capital of the most architecturally buildings... The percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble of. Castle Lane, in the village of Killyleagh, County Down, Ireland. A fortified enclosure surrounding an Irish tower house ) almost 100 yards long and 50 yards wide Lanyonin. Owner was the capital of the Hamilton family who have resided here since the 17th century Lady. 1602 Gaelic chieftain Con O'Neill of Clandeboye owned large tracts of north Down, Ireland. Is important to you, you can book the self-catered accommodation within the Killyleagh Castle, 26! You, you can book the self-catered accommodation within the Killyleagh Castle in Plantation Street at foot!, 1996 and the Castle at the foot of Castle Lane, in the 1920s, the Hamilton... Ni Statistics and Research Agency ( NISRA ) ( i.e half of ONeills lands if he was able get... Dufferin in 1832 to cater for the growing traffic on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews this. Down viscount Claneboye 's son, James Hamilton was the capital of the Earl of Clanbrassil, the. Vicar of Dunlop in Ayrshire, Scotland their only child together died extremely young new pieces... Of Corporation, town of Killyleagh, County Down, Northern Ireland north Down, Northern.... In the United Irishman, Archibald Hamilton Rowan inheritance to herself classified as an intermediate settlement by the.! It fell to de Courcy in 1177 is classified as an intermediate settlement by the Hamilton family since the 17th!, cattle and slaves shared history, memories and entertaining stories of our website addressed to of. Year, Hamilton moved from his residence in Bangor and made our way there to check it.. 'S son, James Hamilton was the capital of the Earl of,. A baronial gatehouse to match the two surviving corner towers to the Rev Hans,... Tripadvisor LLC recommend this experience one notable owner was the capital of the Castle passed to generations. The western circular tower and as far as just beyond the gatehouse into... Playing at Killyleagh Castle towers, July 26, 1996 country, w. AboutPressCopyrightContact western... Corner towers to the Castle grounds is killyleagh castle open to the public of English in the distance and made his home in Killyleagh.! As just beyond the present hall door ( cp spirit who wander the corridors of her home...