Kilclief Castle
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Overview
This impressive tower-house was reputedly built by John Sely, bishop of Down, between 1413 and 1441 when he was dismissed for living with Letticia Thoma, a married woman. This makes it the earliest datable tower-house in County Down and this monument is often used to date other tower-houses in the county. Its features include the high machicolation arch between projecting towers, a local feature displayed here, at Audley's Castle and at Margaret's and Jordan's Castles in Ardglass. The machicolation protects the entrance leading to a spiral stair in the southeast tower. In the northeast tower is a latrine shaft with access form three of the four floors. The ground floor chamber has a semicircular barrel vault built on wicker centring. On the second floor a 13th century coffin lid from the nearby church was reused as a lintel for the fireplace and on the third floor crosses can be seen cut into a window. The two-light window in the east wall is a modern reconstruction based on a surviving fragment.
Features
- Opening Times
- Opening Times: Open summer only, daily 1-5. No unaccompanied children under 16. Check website for current opening times
About the area
Geographically, County Down seems to put a long arm around Strangford Lough, over 70 square miles of water. The arm is the Ards Peninsula, the most easterly part of Ireland.
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