Dungiven Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dungiven Castle |
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|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | |
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| Type | Castle |
| Site information | |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Site history | |
| Materials | Stone |
Dungiven Castle is a historic building located in Dungiven, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It was once the home of the Ogilby family, an important family with both English and Irish roots. The family lived here since the 17th century. However, most of the castle you see today was built much later, around the 1830s.
Discovering Dungiven Castle
Dungiven Castle has a long and interesting past. It has been used for many different things over the years. This old building has seen a lot of changes and played many roles in its community.
A Look Back in Time
During World War II, Dungiven Castle was used by the United States Army. Soldiers stayed there, making it a part of the war effort. After the war, in the 1950s and 1960s, the castle became a popular place for fun. It was used as a dance hall, where people would gather for music and dancing.
However, over time, the castle started to fall apart. It became very run down and needed a lot of repairs. It was in such bad shape that the local council decided it might be best to pull it down. They thought it was too damaged to save.
Saving the Castle
Luckily, a local group of people decided to fight for the castle. They formed a group called Glenshane Community Development in 1989. This group wanted to save Dungiven Castle and bring it back to life. They bought the lease for the property, which meant they could plan its future.
To fix up the castle, they needed a lot of money. They worked hard to get help from different organizations. Money was given by groups like the Heritage Lottery Fund, which helps protect old buildings. Limavady Borough Council and the International Fund for Ireland also provided important funding. Thanks to their efforts, the castle could be repaired.
What's There Now?
After all the hard work and fundraising, Dungiven Castle was ready again. In March 2001, it reopened its doors. It offered affordable places for people to stay.
Then, in 2009, the castle had another big makeover. The entire building was redeveloped and redecorated. It was made new and fresh inside and out.
Today, Dungiven Castle is home to something very special. It houses Gaelcholáiste Doire, which is an Irish-language-medium secondary school. This means it's a high school where students learn all their subjects through the Irish language. It is only the second school of its kind in Northern Ireland.
