Dunmoyle Castle & Grounds
Dunmoyle Castle was a mansion with twenty-four bedrooms in all, as well as tower, from where it was said an observer could see ships entering Derry/Londonderry Harbour. Guests were entertained to social evenings of dancing and theatricals in the spacious hall. There was also a library , dining-hall, sitting room and servants' quarters. The family rooms on the first floor were lavishly decorated and furnished in victorian style. visiting gentry took part in the grouse-shooting each year as guests of the Ross family. The beautiful wide stairway, leading from the main front entrance, was pride of the castle. The walls were decorated with family portraits an two stone sculped figures guarded each pedestal in the main hall.
The rooms on the second floor of the castle were smaller and plainer, and were known as cells. When members of the family wanted some peace and quite they sought refuge in these cells. it is said that Sir John Ross wrote part of his autobiography in one of these cells. The tower with its spiral stairway was built above this. Contrary to local opinion this was not a look out post but a place from which the family could enjoy the panorama of Ulster on a clear day.
The castle grounds consisted of a conservatory, a tennis-court and gardens. The beautiful rose garden impressed the visiting gentry. One of the unusual ornaments in the garden was a Monkey Puzzle the tree branches of which reached outwardly. A full staff of gardeners was employed to maintain the gardens which the Ross family enjoyed as a place of peace. There were two great avenues leading up to the castle .One was for the use of the gentry and the other to be used by the commoners. The main avenue led from the Shane Road in a straight line up to the main entrance to the castle. The large gate-house was said to have been like a miniature castle, with a luxurious interior and exterior. This impressive lodge was the first introduction a visitor received to the Ross estate. Unfortunately, it was demolished many years age. The second avenue entered also from the Shane Road and ran along the far side of the castle. there was a smaller gate-house at each end of it. The second avenue circled round the house to the yard behind the castle.
The tower was a stout, sturdy affair, with crenelated top in the fashion of the time. Although this gave the tower an appearance of defence it was built for purely decorative purposes to add to the splendour and extravagance of the place. When the tower was half-constructed, it was found that it was built on a spring causing it to collapse. On the second attempt it remained steady despite many hazards and attempts to knock it down. the stone walls were about three feet thick.
Among the buildings on the estate were a church, post office, three gate houses, two labourers' cottages, a school house and teachers residence. The post office
The rooms on the second floor of the castle were smaller and plainer, and were known as cells. When members of the family wanted some peace and quite they sought refuge in these cells. it is said that Sir John Ross wrote part of his autobiography in one of these cells. The tower with its spiral stairway was built above this. Contrary to local opinion this was not a look out post but a place from which the family could enjoy the panorama of Ulster on a clear day.
The castle grounds consisted of a conservatory, a tennis-court and gardens. The beautiful rose garden impressed the visiting gentry. One of the unusual ornaments in the garden was a Monkey Puzzle the tree branches of which reached outwardly. A full staff of gardeners was employed to maintain the gardens which the Ross family enjoyed as a place of peace. There were two great avenues leading up to the castle .One was for the use of the gentry and the other to be used by the commoners. The main avenue led from the Shane Road in a straight line up to the main entrance to the castle. The large gate-house was said to have been like a miniature castle, with a luxurious interior and exterior. This impressive lodge was the first introduction a visitor received to the Ross estate. Unfortunately, it was demolished many years age. The second avenue entered also from the Shane Road and ran along the far side of the castle. there was a smaller gate-house at each end of it. The second avenue circled round the house to the yard behind the castle.
The tower was a stout, sturdy affair, with crenelated top in the fashion of the time. Although this gave the tower an appearance of defence it was built for purely decorative purposes to add to the splendour and extravagance of the place. When the tower was half-constructed, it was found that it was built on a spring causing it to collapse. On the second attempt it remained steady despite many hazards and attempts to knock it down. the stone walls were about three feet thick.
Among the buildings on the estate were a church, post office, three gate houses, two labourers' cottages, a school house and teachers residence. The post office
