Description
Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Thought to have been built around 1320 by a local Chieftain of the O’Neill clan named Harry Avery (Henry Aimbreidh). This structure is considered extremely unusual because Irish chieftains of the time rarely built stone castles. There would have been many wooden buildings such as kitchens and stables in the courtyard & also local soldier’s homes would have been scattered all around these fields, unfortunately no evidence of these survives today.
On arrival I could see all these young innocent looking dairy cows standing very protective around this old castle. Not even considering them as a threat or anything I jumped into this field & started to capture a few images of Harry Avery’s Castle. Well this turned out to be a big misjudgment on my behalf! As within moments they all stampeded towards me at full speed, roaring & kicking. I ran as fast as I could to the gate! literally falling over it to the other side. I don’t know what was up with these cows that day but i’m guessing they were just hungry, thinking my camera bag had their meal in it. One thing is for sure… They certainly showed me who the boss & guardians of Harry Averys Castle really are! lol
