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List of archaeological sites in County Down facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

County Down in Northern Ireland is a super interesting place! It's full of amazing old sites that tell us about people who lived here long, long ago. Archaeologists, who are like history detectives, study these sites to learn about the past. From ancient homes to old castles and even World War II bunkers, County Down has a rich history waiting to be explored.

Ancient Homes and Forts

Many of the oldest sites in County Down are types of forts or homes. These were built by people living here thousands of years ago.

Ringforts, Raths, and Cashels

These are some of the most common ancient sites you'll find. They were usually circular areas surrounded by banks of earth or stone walls. People lived inside these, often with their animals. They were like fortified farmsteads.

  • Aghavilly: A Cashel (stone fort) and a souterrain (underground passage).
  • Annaghanoon: A Rath (earth fort).
  • Aughnafosker: A Rath called Pretty Mary’s Fort.
  • Balleevy: Two Raths.
  • Ballinarry: A raised rath.
  • Ballintine: A Rath.
  • Balloo: A raised rath.
  • Ballyalloly: A Rath.
  • Ballycrune: A Rath.
  • Ballydown and Lisnaree: A Rath.
  • Ballydugan: A raised rath.
  • Ballyfounder Rath: A rath in Ballyfounder townland.
  • Ballygunaghan: A bivallate (double-banked) rath.
  • Ballyhay: A Rath.
  • Ballyholland Lower: A Cashel and souterrain.
  • Ballykeel: A raised rath.
  • Ballykeel: Another Rath.
  • Ballykinler Lower: A raised rath and motte called Lismahon.
  • Ballylesson: A multivallate (many-banked) fort called ‘Farrell’s Fort’.
  • Ballylintagh: Two Raths.
  • Ballylone Little: A Rath.
  • Ballylone Little: A multivallate rath.
  • Ballymacaramery: A Rath.
  • Ballymacaratty Beg: A Rath.
  • Ballymacateer: A Rath.
  • Ballymaganlis: A Rath.
  • Ballymaginaghy: A platform rath and souterrain.
  • Ballymaginaghy: A Cashel and souterrain.
  • Ballymaginaghy: A Rath known as Coen’s fort.
  • Ballymaglave North: A Rath called Edenavaddy Hill.
  • Ballymoney: A Rath.
  • Ballymoney: A counterscarp rath (a type of fort with a ditch and bank).
  • Ballymurphy: A platform rath.
  • Ballynoe: A Rath.
  • Ballyrenan: A Rath.
  • Ballyrush: A bivallate rath.
  • Ballyvally: A Rath called Rough Fort.
  • Ballyvally: Another Rath.
  • Ballywillwill: A Rath.
  • Ballyworfy: A Rath called Spirehill.
  • Barnmeen: A Rath called Lisnabrean.
  • Barnmeen: A counterscarp rath.
  • Begny: A Rath.
  • Bonecastle: A Rath.
  • Braniel: A Rath.
  • Burren: A Cashel.
  • Burren: A platform rath.
  • Cargygray: Two Raths.
  • Carryduff: A Rath called Queen’s Fort.
  • Caskum: A counterscarp rath.
  • Castle Enigan: A Cashel.
  • Castleskreen: A Rath and motte.
  • Castleskreen: A Rath and tower house.
  • Clarkill: A Cashel and souterrain.
  • Clay: A raised rath.
  • Cloghanramer and Damolly: A Rath called Spring Hill Fort.
  • Clonallan Glebe: A Rath called Rathturret.
  • Clontaghnaglar: A Rath.
  • Clonvaraghan: A Cashel and two souterrains.
  • Coolnacran: A Rath.
  • Coolnacran: A counterscarp raised rath.
  • Corcreeghy: A Rath.
  • Corcreeghy: Conjoined (joined together) raths.
  • Corporation (Killyleagh): A pair of raths.
  • Craigboy: A platform rath.
  • Croreagh: A Rath.
  • Crossnacreevy: A Rath.
  • Cumber: A Rath.
  • Damolly and Cloghanramer: A Rath called Spring Hill Fort.
  • Deehommed: A Cashel.
  • Deehommed: Two Raths.
  • Derry: A Rath.
  • Derryboy: A Rath.
  • Derryneill: A raised rath.
  • Drumaghadone: A Rath.
  • Drumanakelly: A Rath called Blackwood’s Fort.
  • Drumantine: A Rath.
  • Drumaroad: A Cashel called White Fort.
  • Drumboneth: A Rath.
  • Drumena: A Cashel.
  • Drumhirk: A Rath.
  • Drumsallagh: A Rath.
  • Dunbeg Upper: A Rath.
  • Duneight: A Rath called Todd’s Grave.
  • Dunnanew: A counterscarp rath.
  • Dunnaval: A Rath.
  • Dunturk: A Rath.
  • Edenmore: A Cashel.
  • Edentrumly: A Rath and souterrains called Lisbane.
  • Finnard: A Rath.
  • Glasdrumman: A Cashel.
  • Glenloughan: A Rath with an annex.
  • Imdel: A Rath.
  • Kilkeel: A Rath, later used as a medieval church and graveyard.
  • Kilpike: A Rath.
  • Kinghill: A Rath and possible souterrain.
  • Knocknanarny: A platform rath.
  • Lisboy: A raised rath.
  • Lisdalgan: A raised rath.
  • Lisnabreeny: A Rath.
  • Lisnagade: A Rath called Lisnaweelan.
  • Lisnagade: Another Rath.
  • Lisnatierny: A counterscarp rath.
  • Lisoid: A raised rath.
  • Listooder: Two Raths.
  • Loughkeelan: A raised rath.
  • Magheradrool: A Rath.
  • Magheraknock: A Rath.
  • Magheramayo: A Rath and souterrain called Big Fort.
  • Magherana: A Rath.
  • Magheratimpany: A Rath.
  • Meenan: A counterscarp rath.
  • Moneyscalp: A Cashel.
  • Monlough: A Rath.
  • Moygannon: Two Raths.
  • Ringbane: A Rath.
  • Rosemount: A Rath.
  • Scarva: A bivallate rath.
  • Seafin: A Rath.
  • Skeagh: A Rath called Cromie’s Fort.
  • Tara: A Rath called Tara Fort.
  • Teconnaught: A Rath.
  • Tollymore: A Rath called St Cillan’s Fort.
  • Tollymore Park: A Cashel called White Fort.
  • Tonaghmore: A Rath.
  • Tullycarn: A Rath.
  • Tullyear: A Rath.
  • Tullyhinan: Two Raths.
  • Woodgrange: A Rath and tower house.

Souterrains

These are underground tunnels or chambers, often found with ringforts. They were likely used for storage, especially of food, or as places to hide during attacks.

  • Ardtole: A souterrain.
  • Finnis: A souterrain.

Castles and Fortifications

County Down has many sites related to castles and defenses, from early Norman mounds to later tower houses.

Mottes and Baileys

These were early types of castles built by the Normans. A Motte is a large mound of earth, often with a wooden tower on top. A bailey is a courtyard next to it, protected by a ditch and fence.

Tower Houses

These were strong, tall stone houses built in the late Middle Ages, often by wealthy families for defense and living.

Other Fortifications

  • Ballydugan: A Bawn (fortified enclosure).
  • Hillhall: Remains of a Bawn.
  • Dunbeg Upper: Dunbeg Fort, a fortification.
  • Carlingford Lough: Carlingford Block House, a 16th-century artillery fort.

Ancient Burial and Ceremonial Sites

These sites often feature large stones and tell us about how ancient people honored their dead or performed rituals.

Megalithic Tombs

These are tombs built with large stones, often from the Neolithic period (New Stone Age).

  • Aughnagon: Remains of a Court tomb.
  • Ballintur: A Court tomb.
  • Ballyalton Court Cairn: A Court tomb in Ballyalton townland.
  • Ballygraffan: Ballygraffan Dolmen, a Chambered tomb.
  • Ballyloughlin: Two Standing stones, remains of a megalithic tomb.
  • Ballyrogan or Mourne Park: A Court tomb.
  • Burren: A Court tomb.
  • Dunnaman: Giant’s Grave, a Court tomb.
  • Edenmore: A Court tomb.
  • Glasdrumman: A Court tomb and graveyard called Killygony Graveyard.
  • Goward Dolmen: A Court tomb in Goward townland.
  • Greengraves: The Kempe Stones, a Portal tomb.
  • Kilkeel: The Crawtree Stone, a Portal tomb.
  • Lappoges: Giant’s Graves, a Court tomb.
  • Legananny Dolmen: A Dolmen.
  • Loughmoney: Loughmoney Dolmen, a Portal tomb.
  • Milltown: Carnanbane, a Court tomb.
  • Moyad: Rush’s Cove, a Court tomb.
  • Raholp: A Chambered tomb.
  • Slidderyford Dolmen: A Portal tomb in Wateresk townland.
  • Wateresk: Slidderyford Dolmen, a Portal tomb.
  • Tamnaharry: A possible megalithic tomb and enclosure called Cloghadda.

Cairns and Cists

A cairn is a mound of stones, often covering a burial. A cist is a small stone-lined coffin or burial box.

  • Aughnagon: Remains of a Court tomb.
  • Ballymackilreiny and Derryneill: The Cove, a Cairn and long cist.
  • Ballyskeagh High: Cairngaver, a Cairn.
  • Derryneill and Ballymackilreiny: The Cove, a Cairn and long cist.
  • Drumena: Carnbane, a Cairn with a cist.
  • Edenagarry: A round cairn.
  • Keentagh: Millin Bay Cairn, a complex cairn.
  • Millin Bay Cairn: A complex cairn in Keentagh townland.
  • Mullaghmore: Two Ring barrows and standing stones.
  • Slievenagriddle: A Megalithic cist.

Standing Stones

These are single, upright stones, often from the Bronze Age. Their purpose isn't always clear, but they might have been markers, ceremonial sites, or part of larger alignments.

Mounds and Barrows

A mound is a raised area of earth, often covering a burial or marking a significant spot. A barrow is a type of burial mound.

Religious and Ecclesiastical Sites

These sites include churches, monasteries, and graveyards, showing the long history of faith in the area.

  • Ardkeen: Church and graveyard with coffin lids.
  • Ardquin: The Abbacy, a Manor house and ecclesiastical site.
  • Audleystown: Templecormick, a Church and graveyard.
  • Ballaghanery: St Mary’s Church.
  • Ballygalget: Church and graveyard.
  • Ballykinler Middle: ‘Parkaneety’, a Church site and graveyard.
  • Ballymoney: Kilcoo Graveyard, church ruins and graveyard.
  • Ballyorgan: Cappel-na-Coole, a Church site.
  • Ballyphilip: Templecraney, a Medieval and post-medieval church and graveyard.
  • Ballytrustan: Church and graveyard.
  • Ballyveagh More: Kimeloge, a Church site.
  • Ballywalter: Church and Anglo-Norman stone coffin lids.
  • Bangor Abbey: Site of Bangor Abbey, including Malachy’s wall, in Corporation (Bangor) townland.
  • Black Abbey: Black Abbey or St Andrews in the Ards, a Benedictine abbey.
  • Carnacavill: Maghera Old Church, an Ecclesiastical site.
  • Chapel Island (Strangford Lough): Church site and features.
  • Corporation (Bangor): Site of Bangor Abbey, including Malachy’s wall.
  • Corporation (Killyleagh): An Ecclesiastical site.
  • Demesne of Down: Cathedral Hill, Downpatrick, with earthworks and an ecclesiastical site.
  • Derryleckagh: Templegowran, a Church and graveyard.
  • Drumbo: An Irish round tower.
  • Drumgath: Graveyard and site of a medieval church.
  • Drumsallagh: A Monastic site.
  • Dunmore: Templemoyle, a Church and graveyard.
  • Glebe: A Cross in Donaghmore churchyard.
  • Greenan: ‘Clonlea’, a Graveyard and crosses.
  • Greencastle: A Church.
  • Inch: Monastic remains outside State Care area.
  • Kilbroney: Two Crosses, church and graveyard.
  • Kilclief: Two Anglo-Norman coffin lids (in Church of Ireland Church).
  • Kilkeel: A rath, reused as a medieval church and graveyard.
  • Lisnacree: Tamlaght, a Church site and graveyard.
  • Mahee Island: Nendrum Monastery, a monastic site.
  • Magheradrool: A Church.
  • Nendrum Monastery: A monastic site in Mahee Island townland.
  • Ouley: Church site, graveyard and enclosure.
  • Raholp: St Tassach’s, Saul, a Church and graveyard.
  • Ringhaddy: Ringhaddy Church.
  • Saul: Saul Abbey, an Ecclesiastical site.
  • Saul: A carved stone head.
  • Slanes: Church, graveyard, souterrain and enclosure.

Industrial and Engineering Heritage

These sites show how people worked and built things in the past, from mills to canals.

Mills and Industrial Sites

  • Ballybryan: A Windmill stump.
  • Ballycroghan: Cooking places.
  • Ballycroghan: More cooking places.
  • Ballydargan: A Windmill stump.
  • Ballyferris: A Windmill stump.
  • Ballyministragh: A Windmill stump.
  • Ballynahinch: A Windmill stump.
  • Ballywalter: A Windmill stump.
  • Castle Espie: A Powder and explosives store.
  • Castle Espie: Brick works.
  • Corporation North (Newtownards): A Windmill.
  • Edenderry: A Chimney (Edenderry bleach works).
  • Glasdrumman: A Windmill, flourmill and dwelling.
  • Gransha: A Tidal mill wall.
  • Kirkistown: A 17th-century windmill.
  • Mahee Island: A Tide mill.
  • Ringmackilroy: A Windmill.
  • Sheepland Beg: A Windmill stump.
  • Shrigley Mill chimney: A Chimney stack in Tullyveery townland.
  • Tonaghmore: A Windmill stump.
  • Tullyboard: Portaferry, a Windmill stump.
  • Tullyveery: Shrigley Mill chimney, a Chimney stack.
  • Whitespots: Lead mine: engine-house, shaft, chimney etc.
  • Whitespots: Lead mine: chimney of south engine-house.
  • Whitespots: Lead mine: windmill stump.
  • Whitespots: Lead mine: bog shaft, engine-house and ancillary structures including chimney and outbuildings.

Canals and Waterways

  • Lagan Navigation: A canal visible at several points.
  • Newry Canal: A canal visible at several points.
  • Ogilby Island: A stone and wooden fish trap.
  • Fish Quarter: Doctor’s Bay, a Fish trap.
  • Ringneill: A stone fish trap.
  • Ballaghbeg: Lady Annesley’s Fish Traps, two Fish traps.
  • Clay: A Crannog (artificial island) in the Clea Lakes.
  • Clay, Tullymacnous and Tullyveery: A Crannog in the Clea Lakes.
  • Clare: A Crannog.
  • Growell: A Crannog in Lough Aghery.
  • Loughbrickland Crannóg: A Crannog in Lough Brickland, in Drumnahare townland.
  • Tullymacnous, Clay and Tullyveery: A Crannog in the Clea Lakes.

Other Interesting Sites

County Down also has unique sites that don't fit neatly into other categories.

  • Ballydesland: A large hilltop enclosure.
  • Ballyedock Upper: Two Bullaun stones (stones with bowl-shaped hollows).
  • Ballyferris: A Shipwreck or stranding site.
  • Ballygarvan: A Kelp grid (for drying seaweed).
  • Ballykeel: A large hilltop enclosure.
  • Ballymacarrett: Sirocco Chimney, a Chimney stack.
  • Ballyvaston: An Open field system (old farming layout).
  • Ballaghbeg: A World War II Pillbox (small concrete bunker).
  • Ballydugan: Two World War II Pillboxes.
  • Glenloughan: A World War II Pillbox.
  • Drumiller: A World War II Pillbox.
  • Loughans: Two World War II Pillboxes.
  • Maze: Hangars and a World War II Pillbox.
  • Scarva: Two World War II Pillboxes.
  • Bright: A Corbelled pig crew (a type of stone-built pigsty).
  • Rossglass: Corbelled pig crews.
  • Cabragh: Cabragh Fort, an Enclosure.
  • Carcullion: An Enclosure, possibly a mill site.
  • Carnew: Carnew Fort, a rectangular enclosure.
  • Carrowreagh: Prehistoric earthworks.
  • Castle Espie: A Shell midden (ancient rubbish dump of shells).
  • Castleskreen: A rectangular enclosure and souterrain.
  • Cattogs: New Comber, a deserted settlement.
  • Commons: A Strongpoint (military defense).
  • Coolsallagh: A multi-ditched enclosure.
  • Demesne of Down: Downpatrick Town Cross, a Cross.
  • Deehommed: A Chimney.
  • Dromorebrague: A large enclosure.
  • Drumboneth: An Enclosure.
  • Dane's Cast: A linear earthwork (long earth wall).
  • Edenagarry: A round cairn.
  • Erenagh: An Enclosure.
  • Greencastle: A Church.
  • Greyabbey Bay: An Intertidal archaeological landscape (sites found between high and low tide).
  • Kilmore: A multi-ditched enclosure.
  • Kircubbin: Kircubbin Harbour.
  • Knocknanarny: A large enclosure.
  • Lapnagoppoge: A Navigation pillar.
  • Newtownards: A 17th-century garden, walls and canal.
  • Newtownards: Old Cross, a Market Cross.
  • Queens Island: Thompson and Alexandra Graving Docks.
  • Queens Island: Hamilton Graving Dock.
  • Queens Island: Twin slipways of the RMS Titanic and RMS Olympic ships.
  • Queens Island: Samson and Goliath, travelling cranes and building dock.
  • Rainey Island: An Oyster midden.
  • Rostrevor: An 18th-century style grotto (artificial cave).
  • Round Island: A structural complex.
  • Scrabo: Hut circles.
  • Scrabo: A Hillfort.
  • Seafin: A Castle.
  • Dunmore: A Neolithic house.
  • Ballyculter Upper: An inscribed stone.
  • Mahee Island: A landing place.
  • Castleward: An 18th-century formal garden layout and canal: Temple Water Canal.
  • Castleward: A stone quay.
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List of archaeological sites in County Down Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.