Greencastle Royal Castle

Greencastle Royal Castle

Le Greencastle royal castle - Richard Browne - cc

Visiter Greencastle Royal Castle.

Greencastle Royal Castle is a Northern Irish castle located in County Down near Kilkeel. It’s one of the best-preserved ruined castles in the region, and can be visited free of charge… It would be a shame not to stop by!

Visit Greencastle Royal Castle

A castle built in the 13th century by Hugues de Lacy

Greencastle Royal Castle is believed to date back to the 13th century, despite numerous modifications during the 15th and 16th centuries. Rather impressive, it would have been built on the orders of Hugues de Lacy, and was primarily intended to control and protect the comings and goings of Carlingford Lough, a strategic river at the time.

Building the castle required a colossal amount of work: it has to be said that the castle was built on a rocky outcrop that had been dug out beforehand.

Quite complete, the château consisted of :

  • a large rectangular keep (18 m x 8.5 m)
  • 3 bedrooms with magnificently vaulted ceilings
  • 4 corner towers linked by surrounding walls

Today, the fortified walls have disappeared, but many vestiges remain, including the keep, the main enclosure and the stables! The place is superb, and really ideal for a short visit!


Greencastle Royal Castle
Practical information

Adresse Adresse :
1-7 Bedford Street Belfast County Antrim BT2 7EG, Kilkeel, (County Down) - Northern Ireland

Coordonnées GPSGPS :
54.040939, -6.096984

Durée de la visite Tour duration :
45 minutes
TarifsRates :
  • free of charge
Horaires d'ouvertureOpening hours :

closed in winter. Random openings in summer. Contact them for confirmation



Greencastle Royal Castle on a map



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