Roughan Castle

Roughan Castle lies on a hill overlooking a small, nearby lough, northeast of the village of Newmills, northwest of the town of Coalisland, in County Tyrone, in Northern Ireland.

Roughan Castle was built around 1618 by Andrew Stewart, the eldest son of Andrew Stewart the 3rd Lord Ochiltree, Lord Castlestewart who came from Scotland during the Plantation.

It is a small square castle, 3 stories high encompassing a central tower, flanked by thick rounded towers at each corner which convert to square rooms in the upper floors. Entrance to the castle was gained by a door in the northwest tower. Constructed with defensive objectives playing an important factor, an underground passage ran below the castle and the ground floor of each of the towers have several gun loops.

Upon the death of Andrew Stewart, Roughan Castle and estate was acquired by his brother John, and later transferred to the youngest of the brothers, Robert Stewart. It is believed that Robert Stewart’s first wife was Catherine O’Neill, granddaughter of Hugh, last Earl of Tyrone. During the 1641 Rising he was also appointed officer in the rebel forces by Phelim O’Neill, leader of the rebellion.

In 1653 Phelim O’Neill had sought refuge from the British on an old crannog in the nearby lough but was captured after his hiding place was betrayed.

This is a very nice small castle. The castle is private property and stands in the grounds of Roughan Castle Residential Home. I do not know if it can be visited.

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