© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR)
Loughan Island, also known as Inis-an-Loughan, is a medieval castle situated in Derry, Northern Ireland. The fortification occupies an island location on bedrock composed of Palaeogene extrusive rocks, mafic lavas and tuffs that formed during volcanic activity in the early Tertiary period. This geological foundation would have provided a naturally defensible position for medieval builders, with the volcanic bedrock offering stability for stone construction whilst the island setting itself afforded protection from attack. The site is protected by the Historic Environment Division as a scheduled monument under reference 11680.
Medieval castles in the region typically served strategic military and administrative functions during the medieval period, and island locations such as this were particularly favoured for their inherent defensive advantages. The specific topography of Loughan Island would have made it an attractive choice for fortification, combining geological strength with natural water-based defences. The castle remains an important surviving example of medieval military architecture in the Derry landscape, reflecting the political and military significance of this part of Ulster during the medieval era.
Loughan island or inis-an-loughan. castle is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 11680. View the official record →
Loughan Island, also known as Inis-an-Loughan, is a medieval castle situated in Derry, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 11680.
Loughan island or inis-an-loughan. castle dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a fortification. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Loughan island or inis-an-loughan. castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Ni. The official designation reference is 11680.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Mound, possibly signal mound (0.1 km), Mound (0.1 km), Mound - motte? (2.9 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Loughan island or inis-an-loughan. castle's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Loughan island or inis-an-loughan. castle stands on Unnamed Extrusive Rocks, Palaeogene, bedrock that formed in the Paleogene. The rock here is mafic lava and mafic tuff.