Killowen Castle

About

Killowen Castle (Irish: Caislen Cill Eoghain) was a castle situated in the parish of Killowen, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The area was once known as Drumtarsy (Druim-tairsigh) and the castle known as Drumtarsy castle. The name "Drumtarsy" is no longer commonly recognized in the local area.

Its identification has been aided by historical records, notably the Ecclesiastical Taxation, which lists the church of Drumtarssi between those of Camus and Dunhoe within the Diocese of Derry. The location of Drumtarsy Castle is uncertain. In 1213, according to the annals, English forces under Thomas mac Uchtry built a castle at Coleraine.

This construction was considered a destructive event in the region, as most of the town’s cemeteries and buildings, except for the church, were dismantled to provide building materials. In 1288, a church, St. Eugene’s, was built to serve the castle and the surrounding community.

The parish took its name from the church, originally known in Irish as Cill Eogain (meaning "Church of Eugene"). Over time, this name was anglicised to Killowen. The area was commonly referred to as "the Castle-side of the river." However, as Drumtarsy Castle deteriorated and...