Scheduled MonumentsNorthern IrelandBanbridgeRathfriland castle. tower-house
LATE-MED · FORTIFICATION

Rathfriland castle. tower-house

Banbridge, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 8235
Period
LATE-MED
Site type
FORTIFICATION
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR)

Overview

History & significance

Rathfriland Castle is a late medieval tower-house fortification situated in County Down, near Banbridge in Northern Ireland. The structure dates to the late fifteenth or sixteenth century, a period when such compact, defensible residences became characteristic of Anglo-Norman and Gaelic lordly settlement throughout Ulster. The tower-house exemplifies the architectural type common to late medieval Ireland, comprising a multi-storey stone tower designed to serve both domestic and defensive functions for its proprietor. As a surviving monument of this period, it contributes to the archaeological record of late medieval settlement patterns and lordly power in the region.

Rathfriland castle. tower-house is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 8235. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Rathfriland castle. tower-house?

Rathfriland Castle is a late medieval tower-house fortification situated in County Down, near Banbridge in Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 8235.

What period does Rathfriland castle. tower-house date from?

Rathfriland castle. tower-house dates from the late-med period, and is classified as a fortification. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Rathfriland castle. tower-house?

Rathfriland castle. tower-house 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 8235.

What other scheduled monuments are near Rathfriland castle. tower-house?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Enclosure, possibly horizontal mill (5.5 km), Murphy's fort. ring barrow (6.6 km), Murphy's fort. bronze age ring barrow with cremation burials & 5 standing stones (6.6 km).

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