Newry and Mourne District Council plan to relocate the existing museum to a recently re-discovered tower-house in 2003.
Nicholas Bagenal was granted the lands and rights of Newry's Cistercian Abbey in 1550. He is described as living in the Abbot's house, which he either renovated or built a new tower house.
The elevation and floor plans of this building survive in the London Public Record's Office and hopefully with the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund the castle will be restored to its former glory.
Photograph of the tower-house as it now looks. The tower with the spiral staircase shown in the 1570 plan was removed circa 1780. It is planned to restore this tower and other features. The nineteenth century building on the left hand side (the former McCann's Bakery) will be retained.
Click here for full information about Bagenal's Castle.