Greencastle is a castle

Castle

A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...

 in County Down

County Down

-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...

, Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...

. It is a royal castle built in the 13th century. It was attacked and taken by Edward Bruce

Edward Bruce

Edward the Bruce , sometimes modernised Edward of Bruce, was a younger brother of King Robert I of Scotland, who supported his brother in the struggle for the crown of Scotland, then pursued his own claim in Ireland. He was proclaimed High King of Ireland, but was eventually defeated and killed in...

 in 1316, attacked at least twice by the Irish in the later 14th century but still maintained as an English garrison in the 1590s. The large rectangular keep with three vaulted chambers at the ground floor is approached across a rock-cut ditch. While it dates mainly from the 13th century, it had substantial 15th- and 16th-century alterations.

The castle is a state-care historic monument in the townland

Townland

A townland or bally is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. The townland system is of Gaelic origin—most townlands are believed to pre-date the Norman invasion and most have names derived from the Irish language...

 of Greencastle, in the Newry and Mourne District Council

Newry and Mourne District Council

Newry and Mourne District Council is a local council in Northern Ireland. It includes much of the south of County Armagh and the south of County Down and has a population of approximately 93,400. Council headquarters are in Newry, the largest settlement and only city in the area; it has a...

 area, at grid ref: J2473 1184.

See also

• Castles in Northern Ireland
  Castles in Northern Ireland
  The following is a partial list of castles in Northern Ireland:- County Antrim :* Antrim Castle * Ballycastle Castle* Ballygally Castle* Ballylough Castle* Belfast Castle* Carra Castle, ruins* Carrickfergus Castle, Restored Castle...