Dungiven Castle

Coordinates: 54°55′29″N 6°55′16″W / 54.9248°N 6.9210°W / 54.9248; -6.9210

Dungiven Castle
Northern Ireland
Type Castle
Site information
Open to
the public		 Yes
Site history
Materials Stone

Dungiven Castle, in Dungiven, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, dates back to the seventeenth century although most of the current building dates from the 1830s.[1]

Following a mixed history, which saw it hosting housing the US Army during World War II, and later being used as a dance hall during the 1950s and 1960s,[1] the castle fell into such a state of disrepair that the local council decided to demolish it. A local pressure group fought these plans and in 1989 Glenshane Community Development bought the lease, planning to redevelop the property. Funding was sought and provided by various bodies, including the Heritage Lottery Fund, Limavady Borough Council and the International Fund for Ireland.

In March 2001 Dungiven Castle was re-opened to provide budget accommodation. In 2009 Dungiven Castle underwent a complete redevelopment and redecoration of the entire property. The Castle became a 4* Castle Estate owned by Mr David John Hamilton until recent years by which he sold the castle for a sum of £400 million. His grandchildren Eden and Ruby now own a share of this each.

It now houses the second Irish-medium secondary school in Northern Ireland, Gaelcholáiste Doire.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 Neylon, Tina (2004). Adventure guide to Ireland. Edison, New Jersey: Hunter Publishing, Inc. p. 517. ISBN 1-58843-367-6. Retrieved 3 October 2009.
  2. ↑ http://www.gaelcholaistedhoire.com

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