Bawn in Morett

Situated atop rock outcrop with good views in all directions. Late sixteenth century rectangular tower house (LA009-021001-) known as Morrett Castle standing today four storeys high with attic. Tower house stood in the centre of a large square shaped bawn (approx int. dims. 49m N-S; 45m E-W) of which only the wall footings survives 19m to the N of the castle and 18m to the S of the castle. No visible remains of bawn wall to E or W of tower house. The 1838 edition of the OS 6-inch map shows the castle standing inside a small circular earthwork or low platform with the remains of an enclosing fosse depicted from E to S only. This circular platform with partial enclosing fosse may be a depiction of a small destroyed bawn with enclosing fosse. The 1906 edition of the OS 6-inch map depicts this earthwork as a rectangular platform which may suggest that this earthwork is the remains of a levelled bawn associated with Morret Castle. Today there are no surface remains of the fosse to the E and S of the castle. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 08 December 2011

Morrett Castle, also known as the Bawn in Morett, was built in the late sixteenth century and is thought to have been constructed by a local Gaelic family, possibly the MacDonnells, who were active in the Antrim area during that period. The site is important as an example of a well-preserved tower house and reflects the defensive and social structures of Ulster during the late medieval period.