Following a recent renovation, the Gunpowder Store at Donaghadee Moat has reopened.
The beloved landmark known locally as ‘the Moat’, has recently been restored under the Donaghadee Townscape Heritage Initiative, with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Ards and North Down Borough Council.
Originally constructed by the Anglo-Normans in the 12th century, and with a castle being constructed in 1821 as storage for explosives, the Store now houses Ireland’s only camera obscura – an ancient optical device that lets light in through a 400mm wide opening on one side and projects an image on the other.
Cllr Mark Brooks, the Mayor of Ards and North Down said: “We are really excited to have reopened Donaghadee Motte and were delighted to see so many visitors during its opening weekend.
“The Motte is steeped in history and reflects the rich culture and heritage of the town. The project represents a considerable investment of more than £300k in Donaghadee and it is thanks to this investment that the future of this historical site has been secured for generations to come.”
The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which supervised the installation of the camera obscura, has invested £8.3 billion in 49,000 heritage projects since 1994.
Angela Lavin, the Senior Investment Manager at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: “We are thrilled to support the preservation of Donaghadee Motte as part of a £1 million investment in the townscape.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, this reopening strengthens the community by helping local people better understand their heritage and history. Donaghadee is home to fascinating heritage and we know it is a great way of bringing people together and creating a sense of pride of place, that in turn can deliver wider economic benefits.”
The Gunpowder Store is now open to the public every weekend from 10am – 4pm, from May until September. Admission is free.
A maximum number of six visitors are permitted at any one time. For more information go to visitardsandnorthdown.com