Greencastle

This royal castle, built in the mid-13th century by the Anglo Norman Hugh de Lacy to defend the southern approaches to the Earldom of Ulster. On a rocky height beside Carlingford Lough, it commanded the ferry link with Carlingford and defended sea and land communications, from Drogheda and Carlingford to Dundrum and Downpatrick. Clearly visible from the opposite shore is Carlingford Castle, probably also built by Hugh de Lacy. Greencastle was besieged and captured by Edward Bruce in 1316 and, despite being wrecked on many occasions, continued in use until the early-17th century.
The castle is a four-sided enclosure with D-shaped towers at the corners, much of it reduced to ground level, and a large rectangular keep or hall in the middle. The hall was originally entered by a first-floor door but the entrance was later changed to the ground floor and many other alterations were made. The impressive ditch surrounding the curtain wall was hewn out of the rock to a depth of nearly 12 ft and the stone used to build the curtain wall. A section has been excavated on this, the east side, and left open to view. You can see where a dam was built, though the ditch would hardly have held water because the rock is porous.

Facilities

• Guided Tours Available
• Picnic Area
• Parking

Access & Booking

SUMMER OPENING HOURS
Open part of summer season only - July & August
Closed Mondays
Open Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 2pm to 6pm
Open Wednesday & Thursdays 10am to 1pm
Open Sunday 2pm to 6pm Admission: FREE

In special circumstances the site may be opened on request outside of these hours. Please contact the numbers below to discuss your requirements.

Booking and queries: For information on visits to Greencastle, please contact EHS on 028 9181 1491

There is a narrow driveway from a minor road to the car park at castle. The driveway beside it, to the castle farm, is private. There is a sloping path from the car park to the castle, with a mixture of smooth and cobbled surfaces and areas of grass. Within the castle there are changes of level and some parts can only be reached by steps. Access is limited for wheelchair users and those who have difficulty walking, but the views from ground level are impressive.

Getting Here

Greencastle is situated on the seashore of Carlingford Lough, 4miles south west of Kilkeel, reached by minor roads off the A2 Kilkeel-Warrenpoint road. There is no public transport to Greencastle.