Fort Stewart

In June 1608 Captain William Stewart was dispatched to Ireland, by the Crown, to command 100 foot soldiers. Stewart, a soldier of fortune, had served under the kings of Sweden and Denmark during the Thirty Years’ War before  arriving in Ireland. In recognition of his military service to King James I, he received 1,000 acres of land at Ramelton in 1610 – this was part of the forfeited estates of Aodh Dubh O’Donnell.

Sir William immediately set about fulfilling the conditions laid down. By 1611, he had built a bawn called Fort Stewart and by 1619, he had built a castle, a village and a church at “Rathmelton”. Ramelton Castle, however, was burned down during the rebellion of 1641 and there are no ruins visible today.