# Mahee Castle

- **Country:** Ireland
- **Coordinates:** 54.500951, -5.648475
- **Notes:** Is a ruined tower house near Nendrum Monastery on Mahee Isle by an English soldier named Captain Thomas Browne. Later, it fell into ruin after being abandoned in the early 17th century until its partial renovation in 1923 by a H.C. Lawlor and the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society.
- **Year Built:** 1570
- **Castle Type:** Tower house
- **Location Text:** Strangford Lough

Mahee Castle, also known as Nendrum Castle, is a historic ruined tower house situated on Mahee Island in Strangford Lough, County Down, Northern Ireland. Constructed in 1570 by the English soldier Captain Thomas Browne following a petition to the Bishop of Down, the structure was strategically built on a drumlin beside the only causeway leading to the island. Its primary function was to guard the bridge and control access to the area. The castle features a rectangular design standing three stories tall, though little of the upper floors remains today. Architectural highlights include a murder-hole above the entrance, a small ground floor with only two rooms, an enclosed boatbay on the shoreline, and the remnants of a walled enclosure known as a bawn to the southwest.

The historical significance of the site is marked by its relatively short period of active use, spanning from the late 16th century until it was abandoned in the early 17th century. Following its desertion, the castle fell into disrepair, and over time, stones from its northeastern wall were reportedly removed and used to construct the causeway connecting the island to the mainland. By 1923, erosion threatened the remaining structure, prompting H.C. Lawlor and the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society to undertake partial renovations. They constructed a buttress wall to support the vulnerable northwest corner of the tower, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

Today, Mahee Castle stands as a protected ruin that is open to the public. Located near the ancient Nendrum Monastery and accessible via a narrow road crossing the causeway, the site offers visitors a glimpse into late medieval military architecture in Ulster. A car park is available nearby for those wishing to explore the grounds. While the interior is largely stripped, the external walls and the defensive positioning of the tower remain prominent features against the backdrop of Strangford Lough, serving as a tangible link to the region's turbulent history during the Tudor conquest of Ireland.

![Photo of Mahee Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8b/Mahee_castle%2C_Strangford_Lough_-_geograph.org.uk_-_319096.jpg)

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