Folly Castle, Bankmore Hill, Bar Hall Road, Tullyboard, Portaferry, Co Down

The ruins of a small tower or folly, likely dating from the early 18th century between 1740 and 1759, possibly originated as a coastal watch tower. The structure is located on Bankmore Hill, approximately 1.5 miles south of Portaferry, County Down, affording a commanding view of Strangford Lough's entrance and the towns of Portaferry and Strangford. The ruin is constructed of split stone rubble and is approximately 6 meters square. The highest standing section of wall reaches about 3 meters, and there are evident holes in the wall roughly 2 meters above ground level, suggesting the former presence of floors. A recently built, small and incongruous ‘Celnet’ relay station stands adjacent to the ruin. A tower is depicted on George Johnston's 1755 map of Strangford Lough and is presumed to be the remains now visible. It does not appear on the Ordnance Survey map of 1834, but is shown as a ruin on the revised map of 1860. While now known locally as "Folly Castle," its prominent position indicates a potential original function as a coastal watch tower. Historical records include George Johnston's 1755 survey map (PRONI D.671/P10/1) and Ordnance Survey maps from 1834 and 1860 (PRONI OS/6/3/32/1 and 2). The building is currently recorded as derelict.