Mound of Down

Downpatrick, United Kingdom

The Mound of Down is an ancient monument which gives County Down its name. Originally the home of Celtair - Rath Celtair - this became a stronghold for the Dál Fiatach, a powerful army who once owned the Isle of Man. It is a good example of an Iron Age defensive earthwork in the middle of which a Norman Motte and Bailey was built by John de Courcy after his defeat of Rory Mac Donlevy in 1177.

Originally on the shores of Strangford Lough this site was an excellent military base. The land around has been reclaimed since the 1700s. Today the site is an impressive motte and bailey style fort which was abandoned before completion.

From the top of the incomplete mound you have an excellent view over Down Cathedral and Inch Abbey. In the distance are the Mourne Mountains. During the summer the site is left to grow as a wildlflower meadow.

References:

outdoorni.com

Address

Rathdune Grove, Downpatrick, United Kingdom

See all sites in Downpatrick

Details

Founded: 11th century
Category: Cemeteries, mausoleums and burial places in United Kingdom

Rating

4.1/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

St. Patrick's Grave (0,5 km)
Down Cathedral (0,5 km)
Ballynoe Stone Circle (4,6 km)
Inch Abbey (0,7 km)
Quoile Castle (2,5 km)
Struell Wells (3,1 km)
Annadorn Dolmen (5,4 km)

Belfast City Hall (32,3 km)
St. Anne's Cathedral (33 km)
Albert Memorial Clock (32,6 km)
Grand Opera House (32,4 km)
Carrickfergus Castle (42,8 km)
Ulster Museum (31,1 km)
Belfast Castle (37,4 km)
Botanic Gardens of Belfast (30,9 km)
Parliament Building of Belfast (31,2 km)

User Reviews

Paul Stevenson (5 years ago)
Iron age earthworks fort. Mound within is a curious shape. Between Downpatrick town and Marshes. The whole area has references to the didtant past with the Nearby scenic ruins of Inch Abbey. Down Cathedral which is reputed to be the burial place of St Patrick.

Baron Radical (5 years ago)
Amazing. I can comfortably let my greyhound out here to run around and the 360 view from the very top is lovely

Tiarnán Millar (6 years ago)
Inaccessible, poorly signposted, neglected

Simon McGarry (6 years ago)
Peaceful and tranquil

AOK Curator (7 years ago)
Tough climb but worth it for the view.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historical Gems of Costa Verde

Photo from Flickr, copyright Mark1792

Historic Site of the week

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.