An Caisléan Northburgh - Northburgh Castle
Since 1305
Overview
An Caisleán Northburgh / Northburgh Castle, built in 1305, is an Anglo Norman castle situated in Greencastle, on the Inishowen Peninsula in north east Donegal.
Described in the Ulster Journal of Archaeology as "the largest and most impressive building of its kind in Ireland", the castle has national and international significance.
However, with great age comes deterioration and the castle is now in need of conservation.
An Grúpa Caomhnaithe Caisléan Northburgh (Northburgh Castle Conservation Group) was established in 2021 to conserve the castle for future generations.
As a first step, we have received assistance from the Heritage Council to fund a Conservation Plan for the castle.
Discover Northburgh Castle and Inishowen
Key Highlights
Gaels, Vikings and Normans
Norman outpost in Gaelic Ulster
Key Characters in Northburgh
Links and further reading
Heritage Week 2022
Promoting the Castle and Its History
Heritage Week Presentation
The Conservation Plan for the Castle has been part funded by the Heritage Council of Ireland.
Each year the Heritage Council coordinates a series of on site and online events to promote the work being done by groups across Ireland to preserve our heritage - Heritage Week.
As part of our contribution to Heritage Week 2022 we are creating an online presentation on "How the Normans Built Northburgh"
And for Heritage Week 2021, we created an online presentation on the castle here:
Greencastle
Information on Greencastle
Norman Castles in Ireland
Links to other Norman Castles around the country.
Thanks to the Heritage Council
Grúpa Caomhnaithe Caisleán Northburgh (the Northburgh Castle Conservation Group) secured funding in 2022 through the Community Monuments Fund. We are using this funding to develop a "method statement and Tender documentation" - the first step in selecting masons and other specialists to carry out emergency repair work on the castle.
We previously secured funding for a Conservation Plan through the Community Heritage Grant scheme 2021 from the Heritage Council.