# Bagenal's Castle

- **Country:** Ireland
- **Notes:** English soldier Nicholas Bagenal built the tower house as his residence in around 1578, on the site of Newry's medieval abbey. It remained in his family until the 18th century, after which it was altered, and it became part of a bakery in 1894. The significance of the building was only noted in 1996 after the bakery closed; it has since been restored and now houses the Newry and Mourne Museum.
- **Year Built:** 16th century
- **Castle Type:** Tower house
- **Location Text:** Newry

Bagenal's Castle is a historic fortified house situated in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. Originally constructed around 1568 by Sir Nicholas Bagenal, the structure was built on the grounds of a twelfth-century Cistercian abbey that Bagenal had acquired from King Edward VI. The building features a rectangular three-storey plan and was initially crafted from local granite, though sandstone was utilized as a replacement material during its later restoration. Architecturally, it serves as a significant example of a sixteenth-century residence designed for both domestic living and defense, reflecting the turbulent political landscape of the era in Ulster.

The site possesses a unique and somewhat mysterious history, having been lost to public knowledge for centuries before its remarkable rediscovery in 1996. For many years, the castle lay hidden within the premises of McCann's Bakery, integrated into the commercial building without widespread recognition of its heritage value. Following this discovery, a major restoration project was undertaken, culminating around 2007 to preserve the structure and reveal its original features. This careful rehabilitation ensured the survival of one of Newry's most important historical landmarks, bridging the gap between its monastic origins and its life as a private stronghold.

Today, Bagenal's Castle functions as the home of the Newry and Mourne Museum, offering visitors insight into the local history and culture of the region. The site stands as a testament to successful urban heritage conservation, transforming from an obscured architectural fragment into a prominent educational resource. Its journey from a royal grant to a bakery basement and finally to a public museum highlights its enduring significance within the community. As a restored monument, it continues to anchor the historical identity of Newry while providing a tangible connection to the sixteenth-century plantation period in Ireland.

![Photo of Bagenal's Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8b/Bagenals_Castle%2C_Newry%2C_March_2010_%2802%29.JPG)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagenal's_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)