Greencastle (An Caisleán Nua)

Greencastle

 

Location: Greencastle, Inishowen Peninsula Map

Constructed: 1305

 

Greencastle is a medieval military citadel located on a hill near a town of Greencastle, Inishowen Peninsula in Ireland. Greencastle was constructed in 1305.

 

The name Greencastle comes from the castle in the area, which in turn may have drawn its name from the green stone with which it was built. The castle, built by the anglo-Normans, is also known as Newburgh Castle. The first real pier was built in 1813 and has been enlarged several times since then. Today, in addition to being a link towing and salmon fishing and home to numerous associations of grazers, the pier also has a different impact. Visitors disembark from the Magilligan-Greencastle ferry which opened in 2002. The official website advertises the fact that this saves 78 km ( or 49 miles) of driving, passable for those arriving from Derry. The Lough Foyle Ferry Company recently (2004) started a Lough Swilly ferry service that runs between Buncrana and Rathmullan seasonally. The pier also contains a newly built pilot office to replace the decommissioned pilot office at Pier Carrickarory.

Greencastle is also one of the landing gates for cruise ships visiting Derry. Due to the tidal nature of the Foyle River estuary, it is sometimes too shallow for cruise ships to allow it to dock at docks from Lisahally to Derry. The Greencastle pier was not designed to allow a cruise ship to dock.

Greencastle castle was connected with the castle in the background. It was built in 1305 to provide a base for anglo-Norman power in the Northwest. This building was called "Northburg". There is a more modern Fort next to the Norman ruin. This was built by the British to stop Napoleon.