Northburgh Castle facts for kids
Northburgh Castle, also known as Green Castle, is a very old castle ruin in Ireland. It's found near a town called Greencastle in County Donegal. This castle was built a long time ago, in the year 1305, by a powerful person named Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster. Its main job was to guard the entrance to Lough Foyle, a large body of water.
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Northburgh Castle: A Historic Irish Ruin
Who Built This Castle?
Northburgh Castle was built in 1305. The person who ordered its construction was Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster. He was a very important and powerful leader in Ireland at that time. The castle was placed in a key spot to control who could travel in and out of Lough Foyle. This made it very important for protecting the area.
Important Events at the Castle
Over the years, Northburgh Castle saw many important events.
- In 1316, a Scottish leader named Edward Bruce captured the castle. This showed how important the castle was for controlling the region.
- Later, in 1328, a man named Walter Liath de Burgh was held prisoner at the castle. His cousin, William Donn de Burgh, 3rd Earl of Ulster, imprisoned him. Sadly, Walter died in the castle in 1332.
- After William Donn de Burgh's death, the castle became a strong base for the O'Doherty family. They were another powerful family in Ireland.
- In the 1600s, the castle was badly damaged. This happened because of cannon fire during battles. After these events, the castle was left in ruins and was not rebuilt.
What Does It Look Like Now?
Today, Northburgh Castle is mostly a ruin, but it's still impressive. An expert named D.M. Waterman, who studies old buildings, said that the castle's gatehouse is "the largest and most impressive building of its kind in Ireland." A gatehouse is the part of a castle that protects the main entrance.
Visiting Northburgh Castle
Northburgh Castle is looked after by the Government of Ireland. This means it's a protected historical site. You can visit the castle and explore its ruins. There are two ways to get to it: one path leads from the nearby town, and another comes from the shore. It's a great place to imagine what life was like in a castle many centuries ago.
