Harry Avery’s Castle

Harry Avery’s Castle is a ruined medieval stone castle about a half-mile southwest of Newtownstewart. The castle is built on an artificially scarped mound, with an elevated bailey, surrounded by a curtain wall.

Likely built in the 14th or 15th century, though the exact date is uncertain.  Named after Henry Aimhréidh O’Neill (in Irish “Éinrí Aimhreidh mac Néill Móir Uí Néill”), who died in 1392. His name became anglicised as “Harry Avery” or “Harry Avery O’Neill.”

The castle is considered unusual in that Irish chieftains of the time rarely built stone castles.

Architecturally, the castle is unusual because many castles in Ireland of that period were built by Anglo-Normans; Gaelic chiefs more often had earthen ringforts or timber/less durable structures.

The site includes a tower house with massive D-shaped twin towers (“gatehouse‐like” appearance), vaulted basement, hall above, spiral stair in the D-tower, minor rooms in the towers, etc.  Its two towers look like a gatehouse, similar to that of Carrickfergus Castle, but in reality it served a similar function to a medieval towerhouse.

Getting to the courtyard behind would thus have involved climbing a flight of stairs. Behind the towers a large mound forms the courtyard. This was surrounded by a curtain wall, of which only the foundations remain today.

Other surviving structures include a draw bar slot for the main door and a latrine chute.

The O’Neills were a major Gaelic Irish dynasty, powerful especially in Ulster (including Tyrone). Harry Avery (Henry Aimhréidh) was a member of the O’Neill family.

The castle lies in the heart of O’Neill territory — lands not fully brought under English control until much later (Seventeenth century ‒ e.g. after Sir Hugh O’Neill).

The Annals of the Four Masters (a chronicle of medieval Irish history) record the death of Harry Avery (Henry Aimhréidh O’Neill) in 1392, and praise him for qualities such as justice, nobility, hospitality. This suggests he was a respected Gaelic lord.

Strategically, its location in Tyrone, with defensive features and visibility over routes, shows it had some importance in the Gaelic political landscape.

Source and image credit: Communities NI