Drumbanagher House facts for kids

Drumbanagher House was once a very large country home in Northern Ireland. It was also known as Drumbanagher Castle or Closes Castle. This grand house was located near Poyntzpass in County Armagh.

It was designed in 1829 for Maxwell Close. The architects who worked on it were William Notman and William Playfair. People thought it was one of the most impressive country houses of its time.

The Story of Drumbanagher House

Drumbanagher House had an interesting history. During World War Two, both the American and British armies used the house.

Why Was It Demolished?

After the war, in 1951, the owner decided to tear down Drumbanagher House. It was simply too expensive to keep up. The family still owns the land today.

In 1962, the owner explained in the Belfast Telegraph newspaper why the house was demolished. They said it was impossible for anyone to afford to maintain such a large castle. Things like taxes on inherited property and the high cost of repairs made it too difficult. Even though the house was in good condition, it had to be taken down. The owner even joked that after demolition, it looked like a nuclear bomb had hit it!

What Remains Today?

Today, most of Drumbanagher House is gone. However, one part still stands: a huge arched entrance called a porte-cochere. This grand archway was described by Sir Charles Brett as looking like a Roman Arc de Triomphe.