title: Clough Castle
text: # Clough Castle
  
  Clough Castle is an 11th century Anglo-Norman motte-and-bailey castle located in Clough, County Down, Northern Ireland. It consists of a ruined tower house situated on a 7.6 metres (25 ft) high motte. A small crescent-shaped bailey lies next to the south-east of the motte, separated by a 2.1 metres (6 ft 11 in) deep ditch.
  
  ## History
  
  Clough Castle was constructed during the 12th century by John de Courcy. The castle may have been abandoned during the early 14th century before it was rebuilt as a tower house in the 15th century.
  
  Excavations took place during the 1950s, which revealed a wooden palisade that had originally surrounded the summit of the motte.
  
  