What is recorded here

Rathurd Castle kept a dovecote beside its bawn in 1583, when James Browne occupied the well-repaired house with its iron door. The castle later passed to Robert Anstey in 1589, while the dovecote vanished from the identified landscape. It may still hide beneath a field, waiting for someone to remember the shape of its holes.

Rathurd (Ráth Shiuird) Castle (LI013-023001-), bawn (LI013-023001-) and dovecote described by Westropp (1906-07, 88) as; 'In 1583 J[ames]. Browne, C[astle]. of Rathwerde, well repaired, with an iron door, balne [bawn], pigeon-house [LI013-023002-], and other buildings (Des. R., 67b. See Peyton, p. 233). 1589 C[astle]. granted to Rob. Anstey (Fi., 5363)'. Castle shown as a two storey high house with gable ended chimney stack on the Down Survey map of the parish of St Michaels and St Nicholas (NLI, MS. 718). The terrier of this parish map recorded that 'there Standes a Castle with an orchard on North Ratehurd' (ibid.). The precise location of the dovecote in the vicinity of Rathurd Castle has not been identified. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 26 November 2020

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.