Top 4 Castles around Coolisk
Best castles around Coolisk offer a journey through centuries of history, featuring 4 distinct castles. This region provides a unique opportunity to explore historical sites, from 17th-century structures to fortified houses. The landscape around these castles often includes forest settings, providing a natural backdrop for historical exploration. Visitors can discover various architectural styles and learn about significant events that shaped these locations.
Best castles around Coolisk
- The most popular castles is Old Castle Archdale, a forest and historical siteβ¦
Last updated: June 28, 2026
Old Castle Archdale
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Tully Castle Ruins
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Castle Archdale Courtyard Buildings
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Necarne Castle
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During WW2 Castle Archdale was a major base for flying boats and housed up to 2,500 people. Buildings such as these would have been a central location for the RAF fighters who lived here. Sometimes exhibitions are held in these courtyards to display some of the key historical notes of the use of this area during the war.
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Old Castle Archdale is situated on Castle Hill within a 520 hectare coniferous and mixed broadleaved forest. The castle was built in the 1600s and was the main castle on this former estate before its successor took it's place in the 1800s, Castle Archdale.
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Old Castle Archdale sits on a forest clifftop. It is named 'old' to distinguish it from its successor, the 18th century Castle Archdale. The castle was built by an Englishman from Suffolk who had been granted the estate in 1612 after paying 5 pounds, 6 shillings and 8 pence for the 1000 acres of land. During the Irish Rebellion of 1641 the castle was captured by Rory Maguire as part of the uprising to retake his lands that had been lost in 1607. The heir to the castle was saved by his nurse however the other children were killed. After the castle was returned to the family it was repaired and lived in until 1689. The castle saw its end during the Williamite Wars when the castle was burnt out and abandoned.
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This fortified house is on Tully Point and built for Sir John Hume who occupied the house until 1641 when it was attacked by John Maguire and burned on Christmas Eve with all its inhabitants massacred. After that it was not lived in again. There is a visitors centre in a restored farmhouse that has an interesting exhibition telling a number of stories relating to the castle. To visit the castle be sure to step off the bike as it is on foot only!
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The route is only for walking, not much sightseeing, very interesting horse farm. Free parking.
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Perched atop a cliff and surrounded by thick forest, it's easy to imagine how life would have been hundreds of years ago as you wander the crumbling walls of Old Castle Archdale. Built in 1615 by Englishman John Archdale, the castle was captured by the Irish in the Irish Rebellion of 1641. The castle was inhabited until 1689, when it was destroyed by fire and abandoned.
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This fortified house and bawn are set on Tully Point and were built for Sir John Hume who occupied the house until 1641 when it was attacked and burned on Christmas Eve by Rory Maguire and the inhabitants massacred. It was not lived in again. A visitorβs centre, located in a restored farmhouse, houses an exhibition telling local stories relating to the castle. (https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/tully-castle-p675521)
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Once called Irvine Castle, hence the town of Irvinestown, it is now a ruin closed to urban explorers, including cctv. It was in use as late as WWII, when it was a military hospital, but it has since lost its roof and been overtaken by plant life.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of historical sites can I expect to find around Coolisk?
Coolisk is known for its 17th-century castles, fortified houses, and historical ruins. You can explore sites like Old Castle Archdale, a 1600s structure on a forest clifftop, and Tully Castle Ruins, a fortified house attacked and burned in 1641. The area offers a journey through centuries of history, including structures with significance from the Irish Rebellion and even WWII.
Are there any family-friendly castles or activities in the Coolisk area?
Yes, Tully Castle Ruins is noted as family-friendly, offering a visitor's centre in a restored farmhouse with local stories. Additionally, the Castle Archdale Courtyard Buildings are also marked as family-friendly and sometimes host exhibitions about their WWII history.
What outdoor activities can I do near the castles around Coolisk?
The area around Coolisk offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous running trails, including routes near Old Castle Archdale and Necarne Castle. There are also road cycling routes and easy hikes, such as the 'Old Archdale Castle via Tom's Island' or 'Tully Castle Ruins loop'. For more details, explore the running trails, road cycling routes, and easy hikes guides for Coolisk.
Are there walking routes around the castles, and what are their difficulty levels?
Yes, there are walking routes. For example, the 'Old Archdale Castle via Tom's Island' is an easy hike, and the 'Tully Castle Ruins loop' is also easy. The 'Necarne Woods via Necarne Castle' route is another easy option. For running, you can find moderate to difficult trails like the 'Old Castle Archdale β Rossmore Point Beacon loop'. You can find detailed information on these and other routes in the easy hikes and running trails guides for Coolisk.
What is the history behind <a href="https://www.komoot.com/highlight/2666981" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Old Castle Archdale</a>?
Old Castle Archdale was built in 1615 by John Archdale. It was captured during the Irish Rebellion of 1641 and later destroyed by fire in 1689 during the Williamite Wars, after which it was abandoned. It sits on a forest clifftop within a 520-hectare forest.
Can I visit <a href="https://www.komoot.com/highlight/649300" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Necarne Castle</a>?
Necarne Castle, once known as Irvine Castle, is now a ruin. While the surrounding area offers walking routes and a horse farm, the castle itself is closed to urban explorers and is monitored by CCTV. There is free parking available nearby.
What is unique about <a href="https://www.komoot.com/highlight/2844090" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tully Castle Ruins</a>?
Tully Castle Ruins is a fortified house and bawn built for Sir John Hume. It was attacked and burned on Christmas Eve in 1641 by Rory Maguire, and its inhabitants were massacred. It was never reoccupied after this event. There is a visitor's centre in a restored farmhouse that shares local stories related to the castle. Access to the castle itself is on foot only.
What role did the <a href="https://www.komoot.com/highlight/5692097" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Castle Archdale Courtyard Buildings</a> play in history?
During World War II, the Castle Archdale Courtyard Buildings were part of a major base for flying boats, housing up to 2,500 RAF personnel. These buildings were central to the lives of the fighters stationed there. Exhibitions are sometimes held in the courtyards to highlight the area's significant wartime history.
Are the castles around Coolisk accessible for all visitors?
While specific accessibility details for each ruin vary, Tully Castle Ruins mentions that access to the castle is 'on foot only'. For Necarne Castle, the route is 'only for walking'. It's advisable to check specific site information for detailed accessibility for those with mobility concerns.
What is the best time of year to visit the castles around Coolisk for walking?
The guide does not specify a 'best' time of year, but generally, spring and summer offer milder weather conditions for exploring ruins and walking trails. However, the region's castles can be appreciated year-round. For specific weather conditions, it's always best to check a local forecast before your visit.
Are there any hidden gems or less-known historical sites near Coolisk?
While the main guide focuses on the prominent castles, the historical context of the region suggests many smaller, less-documented sites. The Castle Archdale Courtyard Buildings, with their WWII history, might be considered a 'hidden gem' for those interested in more recent historical layers beyond medieval castles. Exploring the extensive forest around Old Castle Archdale might also reveal interesting natural and historical features.
What kind of natural backdrops do the castles around Coolisk offer?
The castles around Coolisk are often set within natural landscapes. Old Castle Archdale, for instance, is situated on a clifftop within a 520-hectare coniferous and mixed broadleaved forest, providing a beautiful natural backdrop for historical exploration. The area generally offers forest settings that enhance the historical experience.
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