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Donegal Castle
| Donegal Town, Donegal Co. Donegal | ||
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Visitor's rating: 13 vote(s) | ||
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| More attractions in Co. Donegal. |
Donegal Castle, by few also known as O'Donnell's Castle, is situated just off the Diamond, once the centre and showpiece of the town plan, of Donegal Town and is considered by many as the highlight of their visit to the town.
Donegal Castle
(authors collection)
The name Donegal is derived from the Gaelic Dún na nGall, or Fort of the Foreigners, which most likely refers to a Viking stronghold. Although the exact location of this fortress is unknown, it is known that is was destroyed in 1159. It's speculating, but it's likely that the castle is built on the basements of the Viking stronghold.
The construction of the Donegal Castle started in 1474 by Hugh Roe O'Donnell. Like the O'Neill's the O'Donnell clan descended directly from Ard Rí Niall Noigíallach, better known as Niall of the Nine Hostages and it was one of the leading families in Ireland until defeated in the Battle of Kinsale in 1601. For centuries the O'Donnell's ruled over what was known as Tír Conaill, meaning Land of Conaill. This kingdom roughly encompassed the modern County Donegal and parts of the counties Leitrim and Sligo. Depending on the issue they either fought with or against the likewise powerful O'Neill's. Because of the ongoing hostilities with the neighbours Hugh Roe O'Donnell decided to to built a primarily serviceable accommodation and the result was a rectangular three storey keep without any frills whatsoever. Some features of this defensive structure are still visible. The spiral staircase for example is designed to make enemies trip over the unequal steps. In the meantime the clockwise direction provides the defenders room to chop with axes and swords held in their right hand, while restricting the movements of the assailant. So in many aspects attackers of O'Donnell's Castle had to fight an uphill battle. Other features, such as secret passages, are lost in later remodelling works or are still missing. There are for example rather persistent rumours about a tunnel leading from the castle to the nearby abbey, which was by the way also founded by the O'Donnell's.
The hey-days of the O'Donnell's came to an end when Red Hugh O'Donnell, the eldest son of Hugh Roe O'Donnell, engaged the English in the Nine Years War. Frankly, according to all indications the combined forces of Red Hugh O'Donnell and Hugh O'Neill had a nap hand when the English forces found themselves sandwiched between the Spanish and the Irish armies near Kinsale in nowadays County Cork. Until this day military strategists haven't the faintest idea why and wherefore the English emerged victor of the Battle of Kinsale, but probably plain tribal rivalry between the O'Neill's and the O'Donnell's had raised the devil.
Anyhow, Red Hugh O'Donnell travelled to Spain and died shortly afterwards. His younger brother, Rory O'Donnell, did his utmost to restore the splendour of his family, but this was of no avail. In 1607 many highly placed O'Donnell's closed up with other Irish nobles and left Ireland in the Flight of Earls.
Donegal Castle fell to the Crown and in 1611 the stronghold and its lands was granted to Captain Basil Brooke. Brooke had the opportunity to rebuilt the castle that was left severely damaged by the parting O'Donnell's. Under Brooke's guidance the defensive structure was converted into a cosy home for him and his family. One of the most eye catching alterations carried out by him was the construction of a huge bay window on the second floor. To support this window the main entrance to the keep had to be moved, so this idea changed the whole appearance of the keep. At the same time the wing was added.
After the remodelling was done the building took a lot after a luxury country estate. Without defensive features however the owner was liable to a higher tax rate, so in great haste some turrets were added. Although deterrent from the outside the turrets are completely useless and cosmetic features.
In the early eighteenth century Donegal Castle was left to the elements by the Brooke family. The Office of Public Works (OPW) received ownership of the castle in 1898, but it was not until recently that the building was restored. At first glance the castle doesn't seem to fit with the greatness of its most famous inhabitants. Actually it's just a modernised keep and a mansion. Nevertheless we think it's worthwhile a visit if for no other reason than the mantelpiece and the oak joists which support the roof.
We have good new if you can't decide whether to visit the castle on your own, with or without a brief printed guide, or to hook up with a guide of flesh and blood. Donegal Castle enables you to do both.