Killyleagh, 'Cill Ó Laoch'
Killyleagh is a picturesque small town located on the shores of Strangford
Lough. The most striking thing about Killyleagh is the Castle which
stands at the north-western end of the town. The castle was originally
built by the Norman John de Courcy in 1180. Killyleagh Castle is the
oldest continually occupied Castle in Ireland, the Hamilton family
have owned and occupied the castle since 1640.
The town of Killyleagh has grown up around this magnificent 'fairy tale' castle which looks out over Killyleagh and Strangford Lough. In the 19th Century Killyleagh was no more than two streets.
Sir Hans Sloane was physician to Queen Anne who had a life long interest in Natural History. His collection helped to form the nucleus of the British Museum in London. Hans Sloane was born in Killyleagh 16th April 1660.
The former Duchess of York and the Duke of York, on their second
visit to Killyleagh, 4 weeks before they were married on the 23rd
July 1986, were designated Baron and Baroness of Killyleagh 
