NarrowWater Castle
The Annals of Ulster record that the Danes established a station at Narrow Water in 790AD, from where they carried out raids on the nearby territory and on religious establishments, such as Killeavy. They remained here until the mid 10th century, when they were beaten and driven out of Carlingford Lough by Murray Mc Neill.
An earlier castle mound, built in the late 12th or 13th century, still stands to the south along the road to Warrenpoint, and it may have been here that King John's army crossed the lough by a pontoon bridge in 1210.
Narrow Water Castle in 1580
State papers tell us that John Sancky was paid £361 4s 2d for the construction of the castle, which comprised a battlement tower house with a protective bawn, and that he was granted a lease of 21 years. In 1570 the tower was described as having 'two chambers and a cellar and a hall covered with straw and a stable nigh unto the said castle…….and nine cottages covered with eath within the precint of the said castle'. We also know that Sancky had 12 foot soliders and six horsemen under his charge, a sizeable garrison for a small castle.
The Magennises of Iveagh
By 1580 the castle appears to have changed hands and was held by the Magennises of Iveagh, the most powerful Irish clan within Mourne. It is possible that the Magennis clan retained ownership of the castle until the 1650's, but with the defeat of the Stuart and Irish cause the castle passed to a Plantation family known as the Halls.
Clonallon Church, near Warrenpoint, was the burial ground of the Lords of Iveagh, although little know remains of their final resting place. Built in the 17th century, the church occupies the site of an Early Christian ecclesiastical centre.
Recent History
The castle was bought by the Halls in 1670, but by 1707 they had begun to construct a new house called Mount Hall on higher ground to the north. This is now the staff wing of a fine 1836 Tudor-Revival castle and the house is approached by a long serpentine drive. Magnificent formal Italianate gardens once graced the grounds.
At the start of the 19th century Narrow Water Castle was let to a salt-manufacturer and at a later period was used as a dog kennels. Early photographs show factory buildings within the castle's walls and also depict the Newry-Warrenpoint railway line, which ran close to the walled bawn.
Narrow Water Keep
Narrow Water Keep lies on the Co. Down bank of the Newry River, which enters Carlingford Lough a mile to the south.
There has been a keep on this site since 1212. It was originally built by Hugh deLacy, Earl of Ulster, as part of the Norman fortifications, to prevent attacks on Newry via the river. The castle was destroyed in the 1641 Rebellion.
Although apparently built for military purposes, Narrow Water Castle is a typical example of the tower houses found throughout Ireland from the 15 until the earlier 17 century. This form of building, normally rectangular in plan and three or more storeys high, comprised a series of superimposed chambers, with stairs, closets and latrines skilfully contrived within the walls or sometimes contained in projecting angle turrets.
The tower house was given into state care in 1956 and is one of the finest 16 century buildings in Ireland.
The importance of Narrow Water Castle is the fine condition of its tower and the detailed account of its building. When it was built in 1570, John Sancky was paid £361 4s2d and as a warden of the castle he was paid 2 schillings a day and had a garrison of 12 foot soldiers and 6 horsemen.
By 1580 Hugh Magennis, Chief of the Mournes, held the castle – he also had castles at Newcastle and Castlewellan.
In 1596 the castle was retaken by the English but granted to Sir Arthur Magennis on condition that the English could use it if they needed it.
In 1641 Sir Conn Magennis took it, but in 1644 it was defended for the King against Parliament. In 1670 it was sold to Francis Hall and the family owned it until 1956.
In 1744 till at least 1819 a saltworks was built inside the walls and in 1834 it was used as kennels.
Origin
The east coast of Ireland was protected by many castles to provide strong defence and contact with Dublin. The sea route from Dublin to Newry would include Drogheda, Dundalk, Carlingford and Greencastle. Narrow Water covered the centre of the Lough.
An earlier castle motte, built in the late 12 or 13 century, which can still be seen nearer Warrenpoint, close to the roundabout, it may have been hereabouts that King John’s army crossed the lough by a pontoon bridge in 1210.
The later 19 Century castle is still in use on the other side of the road and hosts an annual christmas craft fayre.
One story associated with the Keep is that of Lassara, a young maiden, being kept prisoner, who heard her lover calling and threw herself from the battlements to her death on the rocks below.
Features to look out for:
- The tower is built of rubble with wrought granite and carboniferous limestone quoins and some similar limestone dressings.
- The tower is three storeys with an attic in height and measures 39 feet by 33 feet internally.
- The walls measure 4 ½ to 5 ¾ feet thick.
- Arrow loops on the corners – no blind spots.
- Door protected by drophole above.
- Fine straight staircase – older castles had spiral ones.
- Vault built in Irish style supported in cagework (hazel rods).
- Corbelled roof of latrines also Irish work.
- The outer wall or bawn (restored in the 19 century) is rubble built and of irregular plan.
Location
Narrow Water Castle guards the narrowest point on Carlingford Lough. Reach it from the dual carriageway (A2) between Warrenpoint and Newry. Parking is permitted on the hard shoulder outside the castle.
Opening times:
Open part of summer season only –July & August
Closed on Sundays & Mondays
Open Tuesday Friday & Saturday 10am to 1pm, Wednesdays & Thursdays 2pm to 6pm
Prices: Admission Free.
Further information
DOE Historic Monuments
Tel: 028 90 235000
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