The Donaghadee Moat and Camera Obscura

Known locally as The Moat, Donaghadee Motte was constructed by the Anglo-Normans in the late 12th century. Circa 1821 a picturesque castle, the Gunpowder Store, was built on top of the Motte to store explosives during the building of the ‘new’ harbour. Both are owned by Ards and North Down Borough Council and are protected heritage assets: the Motte and surrounding ground are Scheduled Monument, and the Gunpowder Store is a Listed Building. In 2021 the Gunpowder Store was conserved and restored under the Donaghadee Townscape Heritage Initiative funded by National Heritage Lottery Fund and Ards and North Down Borough Council. The Gunpowder Store is now home to the only accessible Camera Obscura on the island of Ireland.