Top 6 Castles around Ballydesland

Taaffes Castle (2026-08-07): https://taaffescastle.com/ TRIPADVISOR (Taaffes Castle Bar, 2026-08-07): https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g315880-d2223151-Reviews-Taaffes_Castle_Bar-Carlingford_Cooley_Peninsula_County_Louth.html

This charming seaside town overlooks the Mourne Mountains, whose silhouette rises along the coast of Northern Ireland. Carlingford is very lively at weekends thanks to its many pubs and restaurants, which attract visitors from the north, and is famous for its oysters. The village has several historical sights, such as the small King John's Castle, with its romantic silhouette overlooking the sea, and Taaffe's Castle, a former 16th-century merchant's house located a little further from the quay.

Above the medieval street pattern, which dominates the silhouette of Carlingford, stands the imposing ruin of Carlingford Castle, also known as King John’s Castle. This castle was built around 1190 by the Norman knight Hugh de Lacy and was for centuries the strategic key to the entrance of Carlingford Lough.

Taaffe's Castle is a fortified merchant's house dating from the early 16th century, built by the wealthy Taaffe family, who later became the Earls of Carlingford. Situated near the old harbour, the building originally served as a trading post on the ground floor with residential floors above. The architecture displays typical defensive features such as machicolations, narrow loopholes, spiral staircases, and multi-level garderobes. [curiousireland.ie], [castles.nl], [carlingfor...centre.com] The main structure is a four-storey rectangular tower, later extended with a 16th-century northern extension. Its location and construction clearly demonstrate Carlingford's importance as a thriving trading town during that period. After the 17th century, it fell into disuse, and eventually fell into disuse. Today, it forms part of a pub complex and remains a striking example of medieval urban defensive architecture in Carlingford.

Carlingford Castle, also known as King John’s Castle, is a striking 12th-century fortress overlooking the charming medieval town of Carlingford and its scenic harbour. Built by Hugh de Lacy to guard the strategic Lough, the castle has a commanding presence with its weathered stone walls and rugged silhouette against the water. Though partially in ruins, it still captures the atmosphere of Ireland’s Norman past, and its elevated position offers sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and coastline.

On my way through County Armagh, I came across Moyry Castle, a ruined castle perched on a small hill overlooking the historic Moyry Pass - the so-called 'Gap of the North'. It is fascinating to think of how this strategic route was once crucial in securing control of the region. The castle's massive, weathered walls still speak of the turbulent times of the 17th century when it was built by the 1st Earl of Devonshire, Charles Blount. What struck me most was the atmosphere up here: a mixture of isolation and history. The small rectangular structure with its distinctive curves just has a different feel - not ostentatious or over-the-top, but rather functional and robust. The location offers sweeping views over the rolling hills and the Belfast-Dublin railway line that winds through the landscape. It's quiet up here, with only the gentle sound of the wind and the occasional train passing by in the distance. It's definitely worth a quick stop if you're looking for a place steeped in history that's not too crowded. The site is easily accessible and is well worth a detour from the main route. The surrounding meadows also offer a lovely spot for a little break - perfect for taking in the surroundings.

Moyry Castle stands over the Moyry Pass, also known as "The Gap of the North" - a strategically important crossing that has played an important role for centuries. The small, rectangular castle with its three floors and thick stone walls gives you an idea of the challenges that the defenders once had to overcome. It was built in 1601 by Charles Blount, 1st Earl of Devonshire, to secure the pass and control access to Ulster. As you explore the old fortress, you can see the surrounding landscape, which alternates between rolling hills and forests. It feels like you have been transported back in time, as the walls silently tell of long-ago conflicts. Just a short distance away is the Belfast-Dublin railway line, which shows you how this place has changed over time without losing its historical character. A visit to the castle not only gives you a sense of the country's history, but also of the strategic importance of the Moyry Pass, which has been the link between the north and south of Ireland for centuries.

Perfectly placed on the beautiful Shores of Carlingford Lough, this was a 13th century Norman keep, a replacement tower house and bawn was built at Narrow Water in the 16th century. The replacement structure, built in the 1560's, was a typical example of the tower houses built throughout Ireland at the time. The castle was damaged during the Irish Rebellion of 1641, and sold to the Hall family in the 1670's. It was occupied by the Hall family until they built an "Elizabethan revival style" mansion in the early 19th century. This Mansion is also called Narrow Water Castle.