Kilclief Castle

Kilclief Castle is a four-story tower-house overlooking Strangford Lough and represents a typical early form of Irish fortified domestic architecture. Two projecting turrets contain a spiral staircase and latrines that served multiple levels of the building.

The structure was built between 1413 and 1441 and is the earliest dated tower-house in County Down. Its design became a model that influenced the construction of other fortified dwellings throughout the region.

The castle carries the name of an early Irish saint and was home to wealthy families who shaped the region's power structure. The rooms reflect how the local gentry lived and organized their domestic spaces.

Access is available during certain times of the year and the interior levels connect through stone staircases with varying step heights. The openings between floors are quite narrow in places, so visitors should wear suitable footwear and move carefully through the rooms.

A coffin lid from the 13th century that came from a nearby church was repurposed as a lintel above the second-floor fireplace. This recycling of stone from earlier religious sites shows how medieval builders found practical uses for older materials.

GPS coordinates: 54.32800,-5.55400

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:20