EP27 - KILLYLEAGH | Co. Down | Northern Ireland |

[@jonmacyis]

brilliant

[@reggriffiths5769]

Love this! Beautifully-produced footage from car and drone along with good historical narrative. As an ex-pat Ulsterman, I often extol the beauty and history of NI, and know most of the (older) towns and villages. Of course I'm biased - Holywood was my erstwhile childhood home, with mush of Co Down as my "playground" and later visitations. A few years ago I organised two tours by motorcycle for groups of Mainland UK police officers who knew little of NI. I showed them the delights of Belfast, most of County Down, Co Antrim and Derry/Londonderry, and it's funny that several of the group have since taken their familles over for holidays, so either it was me or simply NI that impressed them - I think it was NI!!! I've lived in England and Wales, with both having their own wonderful attractions, I've spent time in Scotland and loved the place; but in my opinion, per square mile, NI has more to offer. Thanks for this little tour and narrative.

[@nornirishrover]

Thank you for your kind words and support. Have travelled much in the past and without exception was always glad to come back home. There is simply no place better on earth than Northern Ireland, totally biased of course. PS visited Holywood recently and a video is forthcoming towards the end of the month. The aim is to highlight the beauty, history and rich culture that rarely gets a mention. Glad you liked it.

[@reggriffiths5769]

@@nornirishrover Thanks for that - appreciated. When you're in Holywood, check out the Motte (not always open unfortunately). I lived in the house on Church Road, directly opposite the original entrance to the Motte. The Motte used to have a marble or alabaster figurine of a Greek lady, but that was vandalised back in the early 70's. Not many people are aware of the river that runs through Glenlyon park and Twistle Bridge, under the Motte, then swings around past the Martello Tower and exits at the side of Clanbrassil (Seapark). Of course the centuries-old rifle/pistol ranges and WW2 AA gun batteries are long gone from the rear of the former REME base, but they were part of my childhood playground. The Haunted house - well known to locals of the 1950's is still there, and the famouse Maypole is now in its (I think 4ty iteration)! There is also the grave of a former Red Arrows pilot in St Marks. Had I not bveen so young at the time, I would have been arrested for having a pee behind Johnny the Jig - but that was way back c1954!! I look forward to seeing your vid. Regards.

[@jamescrawford9883]

My dad used to take us there when I was a kid in the early 50s. It looks quite a bit bigger than I remember. Cheers from Australia.

[@nornirishrover]

Thanks for sharing the memory, cheers from Northern Ireland.

[@thorntonquagmire3208]

Wow! Another amazing village in Northern Ireland with an amazing castle. Loving the commentary too, I'm lazy and hate reading subs. Beautifully filmed too. Reminds me of castles I've seen while visiting Bavaria. Greetings from the Netherlands.

[@nornirishrover]

Thank you, the castle is hugely impressive and definitely agree it has the Bavarian, Disney look to it. Greetings from Northern Ireland 👍

[@VioletR3062]

Awesome castle !! Killyleagh looks like a lovely little place to visit...... my itinerary is growing !!! Thank you for the commentary, it's great to have someone telling the stories 😊

[@nornirishrover]

Thank you. Yes, Killyleagh is an amazing gem and even though we filmed multiple scenes of the castle, the pictures do it no justice. It is huge in real life and a must see.

[@LeslieRich]

They used to have a great music festival there!

[@VioletR3062]

You're right, this castle looks like castles I have also seen in Bavaria 🏰

[@whitetroutchannel]

interesting factoids,the town was surrounded by ring forts with the main one on the grounds of the now castle as u stated in 12c, in 1643 a brutal mass murder took place and men women and children where marched naked to the shore of the lough and killed general monk then bombarded the castle by gunboat a few years later and further on cromwell himself stood at the gates of the castle and was one of the few that wasnt breached by the new model army, the first recorded uprising in ulster against james the first took place here, king john marched threw the town on his way to carrickfergus during his 2nd stint to ireland, my towns got lot of easter eggs that the books forget, good video thou mate

[@nornirishrover]

Thank you. Was aware of most of the incidents you kindly quoted but alas only so much you can fit in and forced to summarise, leaving out many other events. Thank you for posting them, Killyleagh is a fantastic village and surrounded with history and beauty.

[@whitetroutchannel]

@@nornirishrover i know its hard to cover everything thou you done a sterling job mate on it, mate you can always come back and make part 2 👍👍

[@nornirishrover]

Now that's a great idea... @@whitetroutchannel 👍

[@whitetroutchannel]

@@nornirishrover killowen church (or the little bit left) has an interesting history linked to the castle, ill keep an eye out for you returning mate 👍👍

[@TomMcClean]

Good work NIR. This was a very well produced and researched video. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@nornirishrover]

Thank you for watching Tom, I've watched many of your videos too, excellent stuff. Sometimes its hard to dig out the "real" history, can't trust Wikipedia and history is written by the victors and some say a bunch of lies agreed upon. Many buildings have no access and others are long gone, making the story telling difficult at times. Still our wee country is fascinating, long history, many invasions and in places sublime and beautiful, that is what I endeavour to show. Best wishes, Steve.

[@TomMcClean]

Great to hear from you Steve. Your videos are so well produced and planned, mine .....well, are more rustic in style. lol I must get down to Killyleagh one of these days. I don't really know how I have managed to miss it out for all these years! Oh dear. You are doing a grand job. If you are ever up in Belfast I'll buy you a cuppa and a scone! I live up near Hillmount garden centre. I have met quite a few local KZbinrs. It's good to meet up and, 'chew the fat'! lol Tell me what you think? Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@nornirishrover]

@@TomMcClean I most certainly will take you up on that offer but may have to exchanged scone for cake lol. I'll be sure to contact you when the opportunity presents itself. Best wishes.

[@TomMcClean]

Great stuff!

[@tazminmoore455]

I viewed a house just a few steps away from the Castle. It's stunning 😍. Didn't have time to explore it, but will once I move over.

[@nornirishrover]

I believe it to be the most outstanding castle left standing and still occupied in all of Ireland. One of my favourite places we ever visited.

[@tazminmoore455]

@nornirishrover I love castles, too. I grew up in a village that has a Norman Castle. It was a large part of my childhood and teenage years. Also the Roman remains in a neighbouring village. I hope to visit Killyleagh Castle when I move.