One of Ireland’s most unusual castles

Harry Avery’s Castle dominates the valley of the River Derg and overlooks Newtownstewart in County Tyrone. It is named after Henry Aimbreidh O’Neill who was a 14th-century local chieftain who died in 1392. The structure is considered unusual because Gaelic chieftains of the time rarely built stone castles and this one also copied many elements from Norman design. The two towers look like gatehouses and are similar in style to those of Carrickfergus Castle. These make it look grander than it actually is as these structures are simple tower houses. Inside the grounds is a large mound that forms the courtyard. There is also a drawbar slot on the main door and the all-important latrine chute! The castle was also surrounded by a curtain wall, of which only the foundations remain today. This would have contained many wooden buildings such as kitchens and stables in the courtyard.

Thanks to Aidan Devlin for chilled out video on Harry Avery’s Castle