[1][3] Evidence of ancient settlement in the area include fulacht fiadh, fosse (ring ditch) and a motte and bailey site in the surrounding townlands of Castlebellingham, Greenmount and Kilsaran.

[4] A religious house in Kilsaran townland, of which no trace is visible and which had a reputed association with the Knights Templar, is recorded in some texts.

The calvary near the castle was built by Sir Alan Henry Bellingham (1846–1921) in memory of his first wife, Lady Constance.

North of the castle is a carefully preserved group of "widows' dwellings", built from charitable motives by Sir Henry.

Meehan spent several years converting the house into the Bellingham Castle Hotel, which remains today.

After victories over Laois and Meath opposition, they narrowly lost to Monasterevin of Kildare in the Leinster final.