Coney Island, County Armagh http://www.nihgt.org/resources/pdf/Register_of_Parks_Gardens_Demesnes-NOV20.pdf

CONEY ISLAND, County Armagh (AP ARMAGH, BANBIDGE and CRAIGAVON 03) A/053 
REGISTERED GRADE A 
The wooded island is in the south-west corner of Lough Neagh, a short distance by boat from 
Maghery and is 9 acres (3.6ha) in area. It was an island retreat with a house of 1895 surrounded 
by an ornamental garden and deciduous trees, once owned by the Caulfield family (Viscounts 
Charlemont). There are winding paths in the woodland, mostly adjacent to the lough with views 
across the water. The open space in front of the house once was a croquet lawn and there is a 
cottage-style garden at the house. The island is exposed to wind from all directions and some of 
the trees are getting old. The shelter that they afford is important to the maintenance of the site. 
The island has evidence of earlier occupation, with the remains of a small castle, Coney Keep 

Register of Parks, Gardens and Demesnes of Special Historic Interest (NI) – November 2020 
(SMR: ARM 2:2) and a motte; the latter is flat topped 21m overall diameter and 5m high; the flat 
top in the centre is the base for a flag pole. A shallow silted ditch 4m wide surrounds the mound, 
excavation show this was originally 3.80m wide and 3.65m deep A spiral path leads to the top of 
the motte and the monument is incorporated into the landscape. Archaeological excavation by 
Peter Addyman in 1962-63 between the motte and the castle revealed extensive prehistoric 
occupation, covering a long sequence from Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age to the early Christian 
period. Souterrain ware, glazed pottery and everted-rim ware found by Addyman all claimed to 
be associated with activity at the time the island was granted by Walter de Burgh, Earl of Ulster to 
the Archbishop of Armagh in 1265-66. It is in this grant that is the earliest name for the island 
‘Inisdaville’ (island of the Blackwater). There was some ironworking on the island. The 16th 
century stone tower was apparently used by Shane O’Neill as a stronghold for his treasure; the 
interior of this castle is now occupied by the grave of the 7th Viscount Charlemont (1830-1913). 
There is evidence of a causeway, St Patrick’s Road. The dominant tree species on the island are 
sycamore, ash, horse chestnut, beech, oak (Q. petraea), wych elm and Scots pine, while alder is 
dominant around the island fringe. SMR: ARM 2:4 facing towards the County Armagh shore and 
references to a Pin Well SMR: ARM 2:6. The site is owned by the National Trust and kept up by 
the Borough Council with public access. A Biological Survey was undertaken in 1986. A heronry 
was present on the island in the 1980s and 90s.