13/08/2026
A quick snap shot for the historical buffs regarding the origins of The Castle Sports bar Belturbet, Enjoy ❤️
The Castle Sports & Gastro Bar is a historic pub located at No. 4 The Diamond in Belturbet, County Cavan. It sits on a site deeply tied to the town's military, trading, and social origins.
The town of Belturbet grew because it was a perfect place to cross the River Erne. Over hundreds of years, it changed from a Gaelic stronghold into a busy market hub. The history of the town and its historic pub are detailed below.
History of Belturbet
Belturbet has served as a gateway between provinces for centuries.
The 13th Century (Early Forts): In the early 1200s, Anglo-Normans built a wooden motte-and-bailey fort on Turbet Island to guard the river crossing. Later, the area became the capital of East Breifne, ruled by the O'Reilly clan.
The 16th Century (The First Castle): In the late 1500s, Hugh O'Reilly built a stone castle overlooking the river ford.
The 17th Century (The Ulster Plantation): English settler Sir Stephen Butler took control of the land. He built a strong new castle and bawn (fortified yard) on the hill. By 1613, the town received a royal charter. Houses were built using a timber style called cage work.
Military and Trade Growth: The town hosted a large military garrison. Because it sat on the River Erne, it also became a major river port and market town. It featured busy corn, flax, and wh***ey distillery mills.
Origins of The Castle Sports Bar
The licensed premises at No. 4 The Diamond holds a long history of serving the local community.
[Early History: Site of Butler's Castle Tolls]
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[1920s: Establish as a Licensed Premises (The Diamond Bar)]
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[2014: Purchased and Renamed to "The Castle" by the Slaughter Family]
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[Current Status: The Castle Sports & Gastro Bar]
Physical Context and Name
The pub is located right in the central square, known as The Diamond (historically Market Square). It stands directly beside Castle Hill Street. Local historical records note that the buildings on either side of this corner were always known locally as "the Castle". When the current owners took over, they consulted a local archaeologist and historian to choose a name that honored this specific heritage.
Timeline of the Premises
Early Town History: The pub site sits directly next to the original location of Butler’s Castle. During old market days, town tolls and taxes were collected right at this spot.
The 1920s: Official records show the building began trading as a legally licensed public house during this decade. It was named The Diamond Bar. For nearly a century, it served as a traditional town-centre pub.
2014: The premises were purchased by the Slaughter family. They closed the old Diamond Bar and reopened it as The Castle Sports Bar.
Modern Day: The family expanded the building to include the Shannon-Erne function suite, an outdoor heated seating area, and a gastro-restaurant menu using local Cavan ingredients.
Timeline of Historical Mentions
The list below outlines the key historical markers of this exact location from the town's founding to today:
1610s–1620s: Sir Stephen Butler builds his plantation castle on the hill. The area next to the current pub is established as the main toll gate for incoming market merchants.
1920s: The building is formally registered as a public house and opens its doors to the public under the name The Diamond Bar.
2014: The venue changes hands and is rebranded as The Castle to explicitly link the business back to the 17th-century Butler castle walls that once stood nearby.
2022: The business joins the regional culinary heritage group Created in Cavan to preserve local food and drink culture
