Dunganstown Castle - Information & Photographs

In his A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837), one Samuel Lewis had this to say about Dunganstown Castle:

"The surrounding scenery is pleasingly diversified, embracing extensive mountain and sea views, and the neighbourhood is enlivened with several gentlemen's seats and villas, of which the principal are ... Dunganstown Castle, the property of the coheiresses of the late F. Hoey, Esq., and now in the occupation of M. Wright, Esq., the only remains are one square tower and an extensive range of domestic buildings, partially covered with ivy."

One hundred and seventy years later, nothing much has changed. The castle is in private ownership and is not open to the public.

Comments

Helen Dixon16/09/2007

I have a letter on Dunganstown castle headed velum dated 15 Aug. 06 (1906) signed father, it is to his son or daughter I can't decipher the name. Could you tell me who lived in the castle at this time,I was told he was a diplomat or M.P. the letter is about autographs that he has has sent his child, I would appreciate any information. Thankyou, Helen.

Strolling Guide16/09/2007

Sorry. I can't help you there. The only information I have came via Google.

Sarah O\'Neill01/02/2011

According to a book I have on the history of Dunganstown Parish, the castle was sold in 1850 by the Hoey family to a Nicholas Price and a James Blackwood of Co.Down. Apparently Blackwood married Price's daughter and the family later became Blackwood-Price. Afterwards it passed into the hands of G Ball Wright. Your letter must refer to one of these families? In 1922 it was sold at auction to the MacDonald family who are the present owners. (The book is called CREDO, by Robert Heavener).

Cecilia L. Fabos-Becker28/08/2016

Nicholas Price was an in-law to the Hoey family: A Christian Arabella Price married William Parsons Hoey, Esq. of Dunganstown, in about 1777. She had an older brother named Nicholas Price b. 1754 and both were children of Francis Price, Esq. of Saintfield, M.P. for Lisburn who died in 1794. Since the sale of the property was in 1850 it was probably to a son or grandson of William Parsons Hoey's brother-in-law. Other sources also say the castle was already in ruins, or heavily damaged by the time James VII of Scotland and II of England stopped and sat in its park as he fled from the Battle of the Boyne. Burke's various volumes of gentry noted that in the late 1700's and early to mid-1800's the Hoey family lived at 'Hoey Field'.

Karmen Dungans29/08/2019

My grandparents visited Dunganstown. I guess this iss where we are from. :)

To add a comment on this place or the contents of this page, click here.

Location