What is recorded here

Con O'Neill's castle rose in Castlereagh during the sixteenth century, a tower-house and bawn built to dominate the local landscape. Stone walls and a defensive enclosure marked the reach of O'Neill power in County Down. The structure served both as a home and a weapon, reminding neighbours that the land answered to a proud chief.

The official Northern Ireland record identifies this as TOWER-HOUSE & BAWN: CON O'NEILL'S CASTLE. Recorded period: C16TH. The official map point was placed at the centre of the recorded archaeological site from the source map reference.

Con O'Neill's Castle was built in the 16th century by the O'Neill family, Gaelic chieftains of the north-east of Ireland. It is remembered as a significant example of a tower-house and bawn associated with the powerful Ó Néill dynasty during the early modern period.

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