Quoile Castle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Quoile Castle
Near Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland
Type	Tower house
Site history
Built	Late 16th century
Materials	Split-stone rubble with sandstone dressing

Quoile Castle is an old castle located in Northern Ireland. It stands about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from Downpatrick in County Down. You can find it near the River Quoile, just off the main road to Strangford.

This castle is a special type of building called a tower house. It was built in the late 1500s and people lived there until the 1700s. Today, Quoile Castle is a protected historic monument. It is located in the area called Quoile, within the Down District Council.

Exploring Quoile Castle's Design

Quoile Castle has some interesting features, even though part of it has fallen down. The south corner of the building is gone. This lets you see inside the castle, like a cross-section.

Inside the Castle Walls

The main entrance is in the northeast wall. This doorway has been rebuilt over time. It leads to a straight staircase built right into the wall. This type of staircase is called a mural stairway.

To keep people safe, there were special openings called murder-holes at the bottom and top of the stairs. These were used to drop things on attackers.

Rooms and Levels

The first doorway on the ground floor opens into a room with a stone arched ceiling. This room has many small openings called gun-loops. These were used for shooting small guns to defend the castle. Beyond this, there is a second room that looks similar.

The first floor of the castle has two rooms. One of these rooms even has a fireplace, which would have kept it warm. You can reach the second floor by another straight stairway. This stairway is also built into the northwest wall. There is another fireplace on this second level.

Discoveries at Quoile Castle

Sometimes, old places like Quoile Castle hide secrets. In 1986, something exciting was found here.

Hidden Treasures

Seven silver coins were discovered at the castle. These coins were called sixpence pieces. They were very old, dating back to the time of Elizabeth I. She was the Queen of England from 1558 to 1603. Finding these coins helps us learn more about the people who lived in or visited the castle long ago.

Partially rebuilt west wall of Quoile Castle in Downpatrick.

Gallery

• 
• 

  Quoile Castle, October 2009

• 

  Information board, Quoile Castle, October 2009

• 

  Quoile Castle, October 2009