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Helen’s Tower

Helen’s Tower

Helen’s Tower perched high above the rolling hills of Co Down, is an enchanting three storey stone tower nestled deep in the woods of the Clandeboye Estate.

Beechmount House

Beechmount House

The original building is recorded on Taylor and Skinner’s maps of 1777 as belonging to Joseph Wallace. Now a Belfast-based Irish Language development agency. The organisation’s main aim is to create socio-economic opportunities for the Irish speaking community of Belfast.

Bangor Castle (Town Hall)

Bangor Castle (Town Hall)

This imposing building is not so much a castle as an elegant mansion in the Elizabethan-Jacobean revival style. Although the castle is not accessible to the public you can still walk up the rolling lawn to admire this building from its beautiful grounds.

Tully Castle

Tully Castle

Tully Castle is a fortified house with a rectangular bawn and was built for Sir John Hume, a Scottish planter, in 1619. The bawn had four rectangular corner towers. There is a recreated 17th Century style garden for visitors to enjoy. A visitor’s centre, located in a restored farmhouse, houses an exhibition telling local stories relating to the castle.

Monea Castle

Monea Castle

A State Care Historic Monument. The design of the castle, started in 1618, appears to be strongly Scots influenced. It is a rectangular tower house three storeys high, with tall attics and vaulted ground floor. Two massive semi-cylindrical towers sit on either side of the entrance.

Kilclief Castle

Kilclief Castle

Kilclief Castle was built between 1413 and 1441, reputedly by John Sely, bishop of Down. This makes it the earliest datable tower-house in County Down and is often used to date other tower-houses in the County. With its square projecting turrets, high arch and spiral staircases, it is one of the oldest in Lecale.

Devenish Island Monastic Site

Devenish Island Monastic Site

Probably best known for it’s perfect 12th-century round tower, one of the finest in Ireland, and ruined Augustinian abbey complete with intricately carved 15th-century high cross in graveyard.

Greencastle Royal Castle

Greencastle Royal Castle

Built in the 17th Century by Hugh de Lacy to defend the southern approaches to Ulster, this royal castle stands on a rocky height beside Carlingford Lough. From here it has commanded the ferry link with Carlingford and defended sea and land communications.

Carrickfergus Castle

Carrickfergus Castle

There’s one sight you simply won’t be able to miss. Standing on a rocky spur on the northern shore of Belfast Lough, Carrickfergus Castle dominates all approaches to the town.

Carrickfergus Museum

Carrickfergus Museum

Carrickfergus is the most archaeologically explored town in Northern Ireland. The finds on display at Carrickfergus Museum provide a remarkable glimpse into life in the town from the Medieval period to more recent times.

Editors Picks

Antrim Town

Antrim is the county town of County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Antrim is a small town not frequently visited by tourists, yet it is one of the more historic towns in Northern Ireland with many interesting sights and buildings of historic note.

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