Independent Councillor Patrick Clarke has welcomed the publication of a new tourism heritage trail information leaflet for Castlewellan which has just recently published and can also be seen also online at the Mountain Mountains and Ring of Gullion website”
www.visitmournemountains.co.uk
He said: “The colour tourism heritage trail leaflet describes the origin of the name Castlewellan as being shrouded in confusion. Irish place name studies show that it is not “Castle of the Mills” or “William’s Castle”. The most likely is Caislean Uidhilin, after the clan Mac Uidhilin (Mac Quillan) who were dominant in East Ulster before Magennis.
“They in turn forefitted the land to the crown in the reign of James 1. Later they were regranted the land at a rent of £11 only to lose it again after 1641. William Annesley purchased the estate from Arthur Magennis in 1741 and after marrying Lady Anne Beresford became Baron Annesley in 1758. His successor Francis Charles Annesley became First Earl Annesley in 1798.
“The recent publication of the Castlewellan Heritage Trail which is a tourist and visitor information leaflet has been a great success and very well received in many of the local businesses, shops and hospitality places since it was published and launched a few weeks ago. The Castlewellan Heritage Trail explores this historic market town and tells the story of how it has developed over the years.
“Now the Castlewellan Heritage Trail leaflet has also been put online and can be viewed and downloaded at the Mourne Mountains and Ring of Gullion website and clicking on the publications link. There are also plans shortly to launch an App application for Castlewellan for people to download use on their iPhone and smartphones.”
Mr Clarke added: “The Castlewellan Heritage Trail can be downloaded in adobe form and will give the visitors and tourists a chance to view online a heritage trail map of Castlewellan town and 13 historic buildings to see in Castlewellan such as the various historic churches, the Market House, the Gate lodge, Hillyard house, the Lodge, Castlewellan Castle, to name but a few including a brief history of Castlewellan town.”
“Castlewellan as a tourist destination has many great places of historic interest and with the ongoing rejuvenation of Castlewellan Forest Park by Newry Mourne and Down District Council I have no doubt that any visitors or tourists coming to visit Castlewellan will find the latest Castlewellan Heritage Trail brochure and map a great addition to their visit.”
Brochure pdf
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