Kirkistown Castle, Norman tower house in County Down, Northern Ireland

Kirkistown Castle is a three-story tower house with rectangular defensive walls and round corner towers located near the village of Cloughey. The structure combines medieval fortification elements with later architectural additions.

Roland Savage built this structure in 1622 on the site of a medieval fortification, creating a new stronghold for his family. The 1800s brought significant reinforcement as foundation problems threatened the integrity of the walls.

The castle represents the architectural evolution from medieval Norman defensive structures to Gothic-influenced designs through its 1800 remodeling.

Access is restricted and arranged only through advance contact with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. Visitors should reach out in advance to schedule a viewing of the site.

The building began to sink into marshy ground during the 1800s, prompting the installation of iron braces and buttresses. This geological challenge became one of the structure's defining problems.

• GPS coordinates: 54.44240,-5.46610
• Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:23