What is recorded here

Caar Castle stood on the highest point of Castle Hill in Newtown, still repaired enough in 1657 to host the beggared Lord of Upper Ossory seven years later. That man paid hearth-money for two flames in Kahar, suggesting a reduced household rather than a grand castle court. The building lost most of itself before 1820, leaving behind a hill, a name and the idea that even a diminished lord needed somewhere dry to stand.

Unlocated castle within townland that is indicated on the Down Survey (1654-7) and described by Carrigan as 'Caar Castle' stood on the highest point of 'Castle Hill'. In 1657 it was ' in some repaire'. Seven years later it had become the residence of the all-but-beggared Lord of Upper Ossory, whom we find payin 4s. Hearth-money for two hearths in 'Kahar', in 1664. A considerbale part of the castle remains down to about 1820; only one or two very small fragments of it are now in evidence' (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 229). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 17 December 2007

Built by an unknown local Gaelic lord or Anglo-Norman settler, likely before the 17th century. It is remembered for its strategic position on Castle Hill and for being noted as "in some repaire" during the 1657 Down Survey, indicating its continued use during the turbulent period of Confederate Wars and Cromwellian conquest.

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