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This castle is thought to have been built by the Hays of Hillcastle (WX048-023001-). Its position is not known precisely, but the stones are said to have been used in building Hayestown House (Jeffrey 1979, 19). According to the Book of Survey and Distribution Mathew Hay owned 240 acres at Hayestown Great in 1641, and Robert Hay owned 153 acres at Hayestown Little (Simington 1953, 299). A castle and three cabins are marked on the Down Survey map (1655-8) in NLI (ms 725, microfilm P 7384, N 6380) of Rathaspick parish at Hayestown Great.
See the attached view from the Down Survey parish map (N at top) reproduced courtesy of the National Library of Ireland (Ms 725).
Compiled by: Michael Moore
Date of upload: 27 May, 2013
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
The map shows the centre of the officially named townland area, not the monument. The government record does not identify the exact monument point.