Kirkistown Castle

Kirkistown Castle lies east of the village of Kirkistown, in County Down, in Northern Ireland.

The first fortification on this site was a 9th century round tower. In 1622 this was replaced by a 3-storey tower house with a rectangular bawn with round flankers at its corners, built by a Roland Savage. It was occupied until 1731, when it was deserted.

In 1800 the tower of Kirkistown Castle was remodeled in Gothic style by a Col. Johnston. In 1836 further work was performed. The building was left, however, with a partial roof and broken windows, and the elements soon took their toll. Of the bawn only the southwest wall with its two flankers remained.

At present Kirkistown Castle is managed by the NI Environment Agency and can be visited on certain days during the year. When I came by it wasn't such a day, so I couldn't get in. Too bad, the tower looked promising.

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