| Although
named King John's Castle it was probably built by Hugh  de
Lacy about 1200, King John took the castle from de Lacy in 1210, although
the latter may have set fire to it before fleeing north to Dundrum and
thence to Carrickfergus. (See
history)
It is unclear what the original plan
of the castle was, today it is a courtyard castle divided by a high wall.
Enclosing this is a curving curtain wall containing a gatehouse with twin
rectangular towers, only parts of the northern tower remains.
There is a smaller mural tower to
the south. The dividing wall and eastern half were built in 1261
|
