Castle (in ruins)

On a gradual SE-facing slope, in gently undulating pastureland. The castle is on a low rise (dims. 10.2m E-W) which falls to the N and E, rise probably created by collapsed masonry. Church (TS076-015001-) located c. 50m upslope to N. Earthworks (TS076-015----) in surrounding field. Castle depicted on the 17th-century Down Survey map. Also mentioned in Civil Survey (1654-6), proprietor 'Edmond Mocler of Maganstowne Irish Papist' and 'The sd lands hath on it an old small Castle ruined' (Simington 1931, vol. 1, 213) and it is also referred to as 'Magonstowne a stump of a Castle' (Simington 1931, vol. 1, 158). Castle (int. dims. 2.45m N-S) built of limestone rubble, randomly coursed and is in a very ruinous state. Only N (L 4.45m; T 1.85m) and S wall (L 5m; H 5.5m) partially survive, including NE and SE angle, though quoins are missing. External face of S wall projects 2.26m above external ground level, the wall above this rests on a projecting corbel course (D 0.22m). Inner wall face in N wall suggests two phases in wall construction, possibly contemporary. Wall abutts and runs parallel with S face of S wall. Some collapsed stone between two remaining walls. Hawthorn bush growing at base of internal S wall. According to the OS Letters as well as the N and S walls surviving there were 'a few stones (adjoining the north wall) which appear to be those of a western wall' and 'On the northern part of the western side there are two cut stones and lying beside them another cut stone, which (stones) appear to have been those of the north side of an entrance or doorway...On the north wall appears the eastern side of a window which widened inside...At the distance of about thirty four yards north west of the above, appear the traces of the foundation of some building, perhaps belonging to the castle' (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 3, 85). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011