# Mountjoy Castle

- **Country:** Ireland
- **Coordinates:** 54.558889, -6.607778
- **Notes:** Mountjoy Castle was a campaign fort built with red bricks by Lord Mountjoy in 1602 upon the ruins of an O'Neill fortress named "''Fuath na nGall''" (). During the Rebellion of 1641, the castle was taken by Turlough O'Neill and used as his personal fortress until his total defeat two years later. In 1648, the castle was dismantled on the orders of Parliament and was left in ruin. The castle is today a State Care Historic Monument and freely accessible to the public.
- **Year Built:** 1602
- **Castle Type:** Bawn
- **Location Text:** Brockagh

Mountjoy Castle is a ruined fortification located near the village of Brockagh in the townland of Magheralamfield, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Perched on a hill with commanding views over Lough Neagh, the structure serves as a prominent landmark in the Dungannon and South Tyrone area. While the specific year of construction and detailed architectural style are not explicitly recorded in the available text, the site is officially recognized as a State Care Historic Monument. Its precise location is marked at grid reference H9015 6870, ensuring its preservation and identification within the regional heritage landscape.

The castle holds significant historical importance due to its involvement in the Irish Rebellion of 1641. During this turbulent period, the fortification was captured by rebel forces led by Felim O'Neill of Kinard, operating under the command of Turlough Gruama O'Quinn. This event highlights the strategic value of the site during seventeenth-century conflicts in Ulster. Today, Mountjoy Castle exists as a ruin, maintained under state care to protect its remaining structures and historical integrity for future generations.

As a designated historic monument, the site offers a tangible connection to the colonial and rebellious history of the region. Although it no longer serves a residential or military function, its elevated position overlooking Lough Neagh remains a defining feature of the local geography. The castle stands as a testament to the volatile history of County Tyrone, marking the spot where key figures of the 1641 uprising secured a strategic victory. It is categorized alongside other ruined castles in Northern Ireland, inviting historical interest despite its current dilapidated condition.

![Photo of Mountjoy Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Mountjoy_Castle%2CCounty_Tyrone.jpg)

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