Dundrum Castle — Attraction in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

One of the best preserved Anglo-Norman castles in Northern Ireland, it is a tourist attraction for the Dundrum area. The site is accessed by a relatively steep hill, but has ample parking.

It is thought that the earliest Norman defences were enacted by John de Courcy towards the end of the 12th Century, some postulate around 1177, probably consisting of earthworks; excavation in 1950 showed four phases of construction with the perimeter bank the first phase (McNeill, 1997, 24). The site itself is interesting as it is now believed to have been built atop an earlier Celtic monument, the 1950 excavation also found evidence of earlier occupation.

The site is a multi-phase one; it was probably after de Lacy's second tenure as Earl of Ulster (1227 – 1243) that the single towered gatehouse was built into the upper ward curtain wall. The curtain wall of the outer bailey is likely to have been built by the Magennis family of Mourne who seized Dundrum in the late 15th century. Blundell’s House is a seventeenth-century domestic building in the southern part of the outer ward.

Well worth a visit, and check out the local Mourne Seafood bar for a...

Hidden gem and can't believe this is free to visit! In the car park, there is a portacabin filled with information boards plus several different activity sheets for children. As you approach the castle and walk around the site, there are information boards providing details about that part of the site. The central keep can be accessed and you can climb the stairs to the top (not suitable for younger children and those with mobility issues) Here, there are interesting examples of engraved graffiti from the 1800s but sadly more modern examples using pen - just tag yourself on social media! There are toilets on the site. Lovely views from the top of...

I'm only giving a 3star review at the moment because there is a lot of work going on at the castle right now. This means that visitors need to be extremely careful when walking around and you don't get to experience the real beauty.

In saying that, the views are still incredible, right down over the village and across the reserve to the amazing Mourne Mountains.

It is a short but steep(ish) climb to the castle, but it is a bit narrow and would not be suitable for wheelchair users.

The car park can facilitate around 20 cars and there are toilets on site which are...