forts historical around north down

A fine artillery fort, 270 feet square and with spear-shaped bastions at the corners, was built here by Colonel Arthur Hill around 1650 to command the road from Dublin to Belfast and Carrickfergus. It stands on the site of an Early Christian period rath, the circular ditch of which has been left open in the central grassed area of the fort. In the min 18th century, the Hill family transformed the north-western gatehouse entrance into a two-storey 'gothick' fort or castle for the entertainment...

The Georgian village of Hillsborough is rich in history. Hillsborough Fort with its eight foot high earth ramparts, dates back to around 1650 and was used as a Royal Fortress by King Charles II. Other buildings of note include the market house, the parish church of St Malachy, built in 1636 and the Castle, seat of the former Governors of Northern Ireland....