Old Castle Ward

Old Castle Ward lies in the grounds of the Castle Ward estate, northwest of the village of Strangford, in County Down, in Northern Ireland.

Old Castle Ward was built in the late 16th or early 17th century probably by Nicholas Ward who succeeded his father Bernard in 1584 and was Surveyor of Ordnance between 1599-1602.

Old Castle Ward is a 3-storey tower house built of split stone rubble with sandstone dressings. Its entrance in the southeast wall, reached by modern steps, is protected by a machicolation at roof level and a murder-hole leading from the first floor.

Early in the 18th century when times were more peaceful, and obviously the Wards more affluent, a house in the Queen Anne style was built near the Old Castle, this house was demolished in the mid 19th century. In the 1760s the present mid-Georgian mansion called Castle Ward House was built.

At present Old Castle Ward is part of a 19th century farm with a saw mill belonging to the estate. The clock is a less successful addition in my opinion.

Old Castle Ward is a nice castle on a somewhat nice location near the shore of Strangford Lough. The Castle Ward estate offers some great and interesting walks and even another castle; Audley's Castle. So I highly recommend it even though you have to pay a fee to visit this estate, managed by the National Trust, and can not visit the interior of either castle as far as I know.

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