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short of of Jonesborough in County Armagh stands  the ruins of
Moyry Castle, built in the 17th century to guard the strategic mountain
pass known as Moyry Pass or the 'Gap of the North'.
The castle was built by Lord Mountjoy in
1601 to secure the ancient route between the provinces of Ulster
and Leinster. The pass was the widest passage through which an army
could pass while under attack, in this mountainous and once boggy
and heavily wooded terrain.
The small square tower has unusual rounded
corners and numerous gun-loops, from ground-floor level right up
to the wall-walk. It is a very basic castle, with no stairs. The
living quarters, with fireplaces and windows, must have been reached
by ladders. The stone bawn will which once surrounded the castle
has mostly gone except for one isolated stretch to the south east.
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