Sketrick Castle facts for kids
Sketrick Castle is an old castle found on Sketrick Island. This island is close to Whiterock in County Down, Northern Ireland. Experts believe the castle was built a very long time ago, around the 12th century. Today, Sketrick Castle is a special historic site. It is protected by the government because it's an important part of history. You can find it on Sketrick Island, which is part of the Ards and North Down area.
Contents
The Castle's Past
Early Days and Owners
Sketrick Castle was first built in the late 1100s. Later, in the 1300s, a knight named Sir Robert Savage took ownership of the castle. It stood strong for many years, seeing different people come and go.
A Battle and a Storm
In 1470, an important historical book called the Annals of the Four Masters tells us about a big event. An army led by a leader named O'Neill captured the castle. They did this to help another group, the MacQuillans. After the battle, the castle was given to MacQuillan to keep it safe. Sketrick Castle remained mostly whole until 1896. In that year, a very strong storm hit the area. This storm caused a lot of damage and knocked down much of the castle.
What Sketrick Castle Looked Like
Castle Size and Rooms
Sketrick Castle was once quite tall, about 57 feet high. It was also 51 feet long and 27 feet wide. The castle had four main levels or storeys. On the ground floor, there were four rooms. The biggest room had a special arched ceiling. This ceiling was built using a method where it was shaped over woven branches.
Hidden Passages and Water
In 1957, something interesting was found at the castle. Workers discovered a secret stone passage that went underground. This passage led to a chamber with a fresh water spring. This means the castle had its own water supply. There was also a place where boats could come right up to the castle. Parts of the outer wall, called the bawn wall, can still be seen today. They are on the north and east sides of the castle.
