Top 4 Castles around Camplany
Best castles around Camplany offer a journey through historical sites, featuring structures from the 17th century. The region presents a collection of fortified houses and castle ruins, providing insights into past conflicts and architectural styles. These sites are often set within natural landscapes, including forests and clifftops. Visitors can explore the remnants of these historical buildings, which tell stories of their former inhabitants and significant events.
Best castles around Camplany
- The most popular castles is Old Castle Archdale, aβ¦
Last updated: July 12, 2026
Old Castle Archdale
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Tully Castle Ruins
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Castle Archdale Courtyard Buildings
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Necarne Castle
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During WW2 Castle Archdale was a major base for flying boats and housed up to 2,500 people. Buildings such as these would have been a central location for the RAF fighters who lived here. Sometimes exhibitions are held in these courtyards to display some of the key historical notes of the use of this area during the war.
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Old Castle Archdale is situated on Castle Hill within a 520 hectare coniferous and mixed broadleaved forest. The castle was built in the 1600s and was the main castle on this former estate before its successor took it's place in the 1800s, Castle Archdale.
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Old Castle Archdale sits on a forest clifftop. It is named 'old' to distinguish it from its successor, the 18th century Castle Archdale. The castle was built by an Englishman from Suffolk who had been granted the estate in 1612 after paying 5 pounds, 6 shillings and 8 pence for the 1000 acres of land. During the Irish Rebellion of 1641 the castle was captured by Rory Maguire as part of the uprising to retake his lands that had been lost in 1607. The heir to the castle was saved by his nurse however the other children were killed. After the castle was returned to the family it was repaired and lived in until 1689. The castle saw its end during the Williamite Wars when the castle was burnt out and abandoned.
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This fortified house is on Tully Point and built for Sir John Hume who occupied the house until 1641 when it was attacked by John Maguire and burned on Christmas Eve with all its inhabitants massacred. After that it was not lived in again. There is a visitors centre in a restored farmhouse that has an interesting exhibition telling a number of stories relating to the castle. To visit the castle be sure to step off the bike as it is on foot only!
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The route is only for walking, not much sightseeing, very interesting horse farm. Free parking.
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Perched atop a cliff and surrounded by thick forest, it's easy to imagine how life would have been hundreds of years ago as you wander the crumbling walls of Old Castle Archdale. Built in 1615 by Englishman John Archdale, the castle was captured by the Irish in the Irish Rebellion of 1641. The castle was inhabited until 1689, when it was destroyed by fire and abandoned.
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This fortified house and bawn are set on Tully Point and were built for Sir John Hume who occupied the house until 1641 when it was attacked and burned on Christmas Eve by Rory Maguire and the inhabitants massacred. It was not lived in again. A visitorβs centre, located in a restored farmhouse, houses an exhibition telling local stories relating to the castle. (https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/tully-castle-p675521)
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Once called Irvine Castle, hence the town of Irvinestown, it is now a ruin closed to urban explorers, including cctv. It was in use as late as WWII, when it was a military hospital, but it has since lost its roof and been overtaken by plant life.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of historical sites can I expect to see around Camplany?
The Camplany region features a collection of fortified houses and castle ruins, primarily from the 17th century. These sites offer insights into past conflicts and architectural styles, often set within natural landscapes like forests and clifftops. You can explore remnants of historical buildings that tell stories of their former inhabitants and significant events.
Are there any family-friendly castles to visit in the Camplany area?
Yes, both Tully Castle Ruins and Castle Archdale Courtyard Buildings are noted as family-friendly historical sites. Tully Castle Ruins has a visitor's centre with exhibitions, while Castle Archdale Courtyard Buildings sometimes host exhibitions about its WWII history.
Which castles offer a glimpse into military history?
Old Castle Archdale was captured during the Irish Rebellion of 1641 and later burnt during the Williamite Wars. Tully Castle Ruins were attacked and burned in 1641. Additionally, Necarne Castle served as a military hospital during WWII, and the Castle Archdale Courtyard Buildings were part of a major WWII flying boat base.
Can I find castles situated in natural forest settings?
Yes, Old Castle Archdale is a prime example. It is situated on Castle Hill within a 520-hectare coniferous and mixed broadleaved forest, perched atop a forest clifftop.
What kind of outdoor activities can I do near the castles around Camplany?
The area around Camplany offers various outdoor activities. You can find mountain biking trails, cycling routes, and running trails. For example, there are MTB routes like the 'Horse Hill, Castle Hill and Necarne Castle loop' and cycling routes such as the 'Old Castle Archdale β Castle Archdale Marina loop'. You can explore more options on the MTB Trails around Camplany, Cycling around Camplany, and Running Trails around Camplany guide pages.
Are there easy walking or cycling routes that pass by castles?
Yes, there are several easy routes. For cycling, you can try the 'Kingfisher Cycle Trail - Northern Loop' or the 'Rossmore Point Beacon β Old Castle Archdale loop'. For mountain biking, the 'Drumskinny stone circle and Lough Bradan loop' and 'Horse Hill, Castle Hill and Necarne Castle loop' are rated as easy. These routes offer a chance to see the historical sites while enjoying a leisurely pace.
Which castle has a visitor's centre?
Tully Castle Ruins has a visitorβs centre located in a restored farmhouse. It houses an exhibition that tells local stories related to the castle's history.
What is unique about Necarne Castle?
Necarne Castle, once known as Irvine Castle, was used as a military hospital during WWII. Although it is now a ruin, it is situated near an interesting horse farm, offering a different kind of attraction in its vicinity.
Can I find viewpoints near the castles?
While not explicitly listed as a primary viewpoint, Old Castle Archdale is situated on a forest clifftop, suggesting scenic views of the surrounding natural landscape.
What is the history of Old Castle Archdale?
Old Castle Archdale was built in 1615 by John Archdale. It was captured by the Irish during the 1641 rebellion and later burnt out and abandoned during the Williamite Wars in 1689. It was the main castle on its estate before being succeeded by Castle Archdale in the 1800s.
Are there any castles with connections to World War II?
Yes, Necarne Castle was used as a military hospital during WWII. Additionally, the Castle Archdale Courtyard Buildings were part of a major base for flying boats during WWII, housing up to 2,500 people, and sometimes host exhibitions about this period.
What do visitors appreciate most about the castles around Camplany?
Visitors appreciate the historical significance and the natural settings of the castles. The komoot community has shared 13 photos and given 12 upvotes, highlighting the visual appeal and historical interest of these sites.
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