County: Antrim Site name: CASTLE CARRA, Castle Park, Cushendun
Sites and Monuments Record No.: SMR 15:14 Licence number: —
Author: Declan P. Hurl, Environment Service: Historic Monuments and Buildings, DoE(NI)
Site type: Castle - tower house, Children's burial ground and Industrial site
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 724825m, N 933383m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 55.132062, -6.042512
The National Trust, which owns the property, requested advice on and assistance with the conservation and presentation of Castle Carra. An excavation within and immediately around the tower house preceded work on the structure of the building.
The results suggest that it was built in the late 13th or early 14th century (dating relied on identification of potsherds), with an entrance half-way between the ground and first floors in the north-west corner. It was built on top of a Neolithic (possibly Mesolithic?) flint-working area, with large quantities of tools, flakes and debitage uncovered.
It was abandoned within a century of its construction and used for light industrial purposes, judging by the fire-pit which was uncovered. It was subsequently used as an infants' cemetery, or killeen, at the end of the medieval period.
Further excavations may be undertaken in the forthcoming year.
5–33 Hill St., Belfast BT1 2LA
