1797 Engraving Newcastle Castle Co Down

1797 Antique Print a copper plate engraving of Newcastle Castle in county Down.

The prints are part of a larger set on Ireland, published by Hooper & Wigstead in London. After drawings by Francis Grose, dated 1794, the print was not published until 1797

Prints is in ok condition for age, markings, foxing.

Print area is 7 by 5 inches, paper area 10 1/2 by 8 inches.

Newcastle Castle was constructed in 1588 by Felix Magennis, a prominent Gaelic lord of the Magennis clan, at the foot of the Mourne Mountains in County Down. Positioned along the coast near the Shimna River, the stronghold guarded the coastal pass and gave the seaside town of Newcastle its name.

In the 18th century, the castle and surrounding lands passed to the Nedham family and subsequently to William Stewart, Viscount Limerick (later 1st Earl of Clanbrassil). Lord Limerick established the adjacent Tollymore Estate in the 1740s, collaborating with English architect Thomas Wright to design romantic folly structures, gothic gateways, and landscaped parklands along the river valley.

The original 16th-century castle fell into disuse and was demolished in 1830 to make way for the Annesley Arms Hotel.

Postage €7