Killymoon Castle

Cookstown, Ireland

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Killymoon Castle, located near Cookstown in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, was originally built in 1671 by James Stewart, a settler granted land during the Plantation of Ulster. The original castle burned down in 1801 and was rebuilt in 1802-1803 in a grander design by the renowned architect John Nash, known for designing parts of London and Buckingham Palace.

The castle was home to six generations of the Stewart family until 1852, and it was considered one of the most aristocratic residences in Ulster. The estate includes extensive grounds with stables, outbuildings, and stone lodges.

During World War II, from late 1943 to early 1944, Killymoon Castle served as a base for the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the US Army, who prepared for the D-Day invasion there. The castle’s cellars still preserve handwritten messages from the American soldiers. Today, the castle remains a private residence with historical significance tied to both its architectural heritage and wartime role.