Rathfriland Castle

Rathfriland Castle (Caislean Ráth Fraoileann) is a ruined castle at Rathfriland, County Down, Northern Ireland. The castle was a square building of 3–4 storeys with a stone barrel vault at the first floor level to reduce the risk of fire and was one of the seats of the Magennis's, Lords of Iveagh. Most of it was pulled down by Mr. William Hawkins of London, after the rebellion of 1641, and the remainder destroyed by General Henry Ireton on Oliver Cromwell's orders.

History
Rathfriland Castle is believed to have been erected in the 15th or 16th century which would have replaced earlier wooden structures. The original building is estimated to have been 30 feet by 50 feet and would also have had a stone perimeter wall. The stone was quarried from the hill itself and created a steep precipice on the west side which would have been useful in defending the site. The steepness of the site can still be appreciated when approaching the town from the Banbridge direction.

The Magennis clan were overlords of the territory of Iveagh from 1136. Arthur Magennis, first Viscount Iveagh, was married to Lady Sarah O'Neill the daughter of Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, who led the Gaelic clans in the nine years' war against the English. He remained on after the `Flight of the Earls' and the Plantation of Ulster. He died in 1629 and was buried with his ancestors in Drumballyroney Churchyard which is approximately a mile north of the town. (The church and cemetery are in the Roman Catholic parish of Annaclone. They are now part of the Bronte Homeland Museum). Lady Sarah lived after his death in their castle at Narrow Water, Warrenpoint. His son, Hugh Magennis, was the last of the family to hold Iveagh. His role in the 1641 rebellion brought about their final downfall and loss of the family lands.

Destruction
Following the defeat of the 1641 rebellion, the castle was destroyed by Cromwell's General Ireton and the manor of Rathfriland was granted to Alderman William Hawkins. His son, John Hawkins finally pulled down most of the castle and built a new manor house in the townland of Lessize below the town. No trace of this now remains. John Hawkins married Mary Johnston of Gilford through whom the family inherited the Gilford estate. He died in 1689 and was also buried at Drumballyroney along with the Magennises. The manor passed down to his great-granddaughter, Theodosia Hawkins Magill, who married Sir John Meade, later Earl of Clanwilliam. She was an independent woman for her time and managed these lands by herself leaving them, on her death, to her second son. The family lived mostly in Norfolk but had a Georgian Cottage at Burrenwood, near Castlewellan, which was built by Theodosia Hawkins Magill.

Existing structure
All that remains standing today of Rathfriland Castle is a small portion of the south gable wall. measuring 30 feet long by 25 feet wide. When it was finally taken down by John Hawkins, the stones were said to have been used to build some of the oldest buildings of the town. Among those which have survived is the old three-storey `Town Inn' which still stands at the corner of The Square and Newry Street. The cellar of this building was said to be the meeting place of the notorious `Hellfire Club' in the 18th century.