The Moat, Donaghadee

(Image: Timothy Ferres, 2020)

THE MOAT is a conspicuous landmark in the seaside town of Donaghadee, County Down.

I happened to be with friends for dinner at a well-known restaurant near the harbour one evening and, as we were walking back to their home, they pointed out this miniature castle to me.

Of course I’ve seen it many times before, having lived in Northern Ireland my entire life (I was born in Newtownards), though I’ve never visited it, nor known about the history of this miniature fortress.

View from The Moat (Image: Timothy Ferres, 2020)

It stands proudly on top of an ancient motte, affording spectacular views of the town and harbour.

Presumably the land once belonged to the De Lacherois family, of The Manor House, Donaghadee.

They were, after all, the landlords.

This building, akin to a folly, was built ca 1818-21, and comprises mainly two storeys.

(Image: Timothy Ferres, 2020)

It was built to house the explosives for the blasting involved in the construction of the harbour; so it was really a rather grandiose gunpowder store.

The fort has two adjoined sections, with octagonal and square turrets and a small, castellated round tower.

(Image: William Alfred Green, 1870-1958)

There are castellated parapets around the building.

It appears to be made of rubble masonry, with a rendered brick façade and faux slit windows.

The round tower has a long flag-pole, which flies the Union Flag (frayed at the end at the time of writing).

This castellated round tower seems to be hollow, because I could see daylight through the window slit.

Perhaps merely the upper section is hollow.

Several sections of render have fallen off the little building, revealing the bare brickwork.

On the western side there is a marble plaque, recessed into the wall, which reads:-

(Image: Timothy Ferres, 2020)

PRESENTED TO
THE PEOPLE OF DONAGHADEE
IN MEMORY OF
DANIEL DE LACHEROIS DL
BY HIS SON
GEORGE DE LACHEROIS.
1945.

First published in August, 2020.