During the plantation of Ulster, Sir Robert Newcomen built this castle in 1615.
It was four storey high and enclosed in a bawn with two flankers.
In 1629 it was sold to Sir William Stewart, from Newtown Stewart in Galloway, Scotland. He renamed the town and castle after his family and birthplace.
The castle was burned twice. The first time at the end of 1641 by Sir Phelim O’Neill during the Irish Rebellion. The second time in August 1689 by King James during his retreat from the Siege of Derry. On this occasion, the town was burned down too.
What remains today is the southwest (210°) wall and the northwest wall.
The southwest wall is the one visible from Main Street. It has several mullioned windows, three stepped gables and a star-shaped chimney stack.
A rectangular tower is at the northeast corner of the ruins.
New houses have been built adjoining the castle walls, which is also enclosed within a metal railing, locked on the day of our visit.
An archaeological excavation was carried out in 1999 at the castle, and an undisturbed Bronze Age cist grave was found.
We came here for the first time on September 10th, 2003. The gate was locked on that occasion too.
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