Dunganstown Castle (in Ruins) — Dunganstown West

Situated in gently undulating terrain just S of the 18th or early 19th-century Dunganstown House. The lands at Dunganstown were part of the estate of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem and these were granted in 1597 to Sir John Hoey after the dissolution of the monasteries. The house was probably built in the early 17th century. It consists of a central rectangular block (min. dims. 16.45m E-W; 6.5m N-S) with three storeys and an attic, and Jacobean or Dutch gables. It has two rectangular wings extending from either side to the S (L from façade to S end of the gables 13.4m). A stair tower is attached to the N side of the main block (ext dims. c. 6.43m E-W; 6.25m N-S). There may have been an additional building to the E of this attached to the back of the E wing. The front of the main block is in three bays with a central doorway and a single central window in the gabled attic. No cut stone survives at ground-floor level. Internal features include traces of plaster (probably original) and a fireplace at first-floor level. The attic appears to have been reached by a wooden stairs. The site was apparently damaged in the 1640s and was certainly in ruins in 1655-6 (according to the Down Survey). However, the hood-mouldings over some of the windows may be slightly later, and there are two granite piers to the N of the castle, which may be 18th century in date. There is also a decorated cut stone 'wishing seat' to the S. (Murray 1958, 342) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 December 2008