You must be kidding - residents startled to find goat at top of castle
Disbelief after goat spotted at top of 14th-century Northburg Castle in Greencastle
Residents of Greencastle woke on Sunday morning to the unusual sight of a goat looking down on them from the top of the village’s Northburg Castle.
Moville man Enda Craig was on his daily cycle through the village when he saw a goat peering down on him from the substantial height of the top of the 14th-century castle which was built by Richard de Burgh, The Red Earl of Ulster, in 1305.
Mr Craig, a keen photographer, said he could not believe the goat had reached the top of the main tower.
“I looked over and I couldn't believe it when I saw yer man at the very top of it. It’s a great height. There he was - the king of the castle.”
Northburg Castle which was built by Richard de Burgh, The Red Earl of Ulster, in 1305
He said the goats have been a regular sight at the castle, which is the subject of conservation plans, in recent months and he believes they may be there deliberately to help control the vegetation which has grown over it.
“It’s very well fenced off and it seems that they have been put in there deliberately, which is a very good idea because they are eating away at the vegetation. There is a water trough and a feeding trough there so they are being well looked after. The place is coming down with whins, briars and brambles and they are cleaning it up fantastic.”