Northburgh Castle

Northburgh Castle was sited to control Lough Foyle, and to act as an enabler to de Burgh's plans for expansion.

[3] It consists of an oval enclosure with twin polygonal-towered gatehouse at one end and a more ruined large polygonal tower (added later: likely in the 15th century) at the other.

The overall design, too, was influenced by its patron (Richard Óg de Burgh) who was close to Edward, and was knighted by him at Rhuddlan Castle.

[4] "The architectural references, especially the external appearance derived from Caernarvon, must represent a deliberate choice by Richard, associating himself with the crowning castle of Edward's conquest.

"[6] The gatehouse is of a type that signifies a move away from castles in Ireland as purely military/defensive structures to symbols of power, centres of administration, places to launch further expansion in territory and as accommodation, whilst retaining their military capabilities.