After fighting his way through the Moyry Pass in 1600, Lord Mountjoy decided to secure the area for the Crown, and the castle was built in less than a month the following year on a rocky hillock overlooking the pass. It stands on the eastern slopes of Slievenabolea overlooking the Pass of the Northand consists of the ruins of a three-storey tower and surrounding stone bawn. The castle contains a number of musket loops and a 'machicolation' over the doorway, from which objects could have been thrown on an attacker. In 1611 it was garrisoned by 12 men under the command of Captain Anthony Smith and a number of settlers who had been established in the surrounding area.
The railway line from Belfast to Dublin opened in 1852, and follows the ancient route through the Gap of the North. It passes close to the Castle ruins.
Byop
This cache has been adopted so that it will live on.
In memory of a good friend.
Alan Shiel “Hezekiah”
1950 -2014
Windsocker