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I sometimes stay at a friend's seaside cottage on the shores of Carlingford Lough, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. It is a beautiful deserted stretch of coastline especially in winter. This old castle is about a mile's walk along the beach. For those of you interested here is a brief history.

Greencastle, overlooking Carlingford Lough, was built by Hugh de Lacy during the 1230s to protect the southern approaches to the Earldom of Ulster. From 1280 to 1326 was a favoured residence of the most powerful man in Ireland, Richard de Burgh, the "Red Earl" of Ulster. His daughters were raised here, including Elizabeth, who married Robert Bruce, King of Scotland, in 1302 although this did not dissuade Edward Bruce from sacking it in 1316. After an unsuccessful siege in 1333-34, the Irish captured and destroyed the castle in 1343 and 1375. The royal garrison was reduced in number c. 1400 as an economy measure and amalgamated with Carlingford under one con stable.
It was bombarded and destroyed by Parliamentary forces in 1652.
For centuries the green below the castle played host to a great fair every August. It was often called "Ram Fair" as a great ram was customarily enthroned on top of the castle's walls.