The O'Dochartaigh Castles of Inishowen, Co. Donegal
Tour Options:
Tour Information
Client Types
- Half Day Itinerary from €250 per person for a couple / small group (approximately 4hrs)
- Full Day Itinerary from €450 per person (excluding lunch) for a couple / small group (approximately 8hrs)
- Additional tour "add-ons" are available
- Typical tour is tailor-made to clients specifications including transport, pick-up times and special requests
- Tours led by a knowledgeable and friendly local tour guide with National, Regional and Local Tour Guiding Badge Qualifications
- In-depth information about each of the sites visited
- Transport provided in luxury, air-conditioned vehicles with professional drivers
Client Types
- Après-golf / Corporate
- School tours and recreational groups
- Clann / Family Reunion groups
- Large bus tour groups - can provide step-on guides
- Cruise ship groups
- Couples
- Families
- Solo travellers
Historical Information on the O'Dochartaigh Castles:
Burt Castle, Burt
Built around 1560, this quadrangular structure, with circular towers at its alternate angles stands with imposing views southwards over the Laggan Valley and beyond.
The castle was first referred to in a grant of land to the O’Dohertys in 1587 and it was occupied by English forces between 1601-1602. When peace was re-established, it was granted to the young Cathir O’Dochartaigh who made it his main residence.
One of the most important of the O’Doherty Castles, Burt was the backdrop from which Sir Cahir Rua O’Dochartaigh, the last Gaelic Lord of Inishowen launched his unsuccessful rebellion in 1608.
The castle was first referred to in a grant of land to the O’Dohertys in 1587 and it was occupied by English forces between 1601-1602. When peace was re-established, it was granted to the young Cathir O’Dochartaigh who made it his main residence.
One of the most important of the O’Doherty Castles, Burt was the backdrop from which Sir Cahir Rua O’Dochartaigh, the last Gaelic Lord of Inishowen launched his unsuccessful rebellion in 1608.
Inch Castle, Inch Island
Inch Castle is situated at the extreme seaward end of Inch Island. The castle was constructed around 1430 by the Gaelic Irish lord Neachtain O'Donnell for his father-in-law Cahir O'Doherty but, by 1609, when granted to Sir Arthur Chichester, he stated that it was in a state of disrepair.
The O'Doherty's were the dominant family on the nearby peninsula of Inishowen and had close links with the O'Donnells. It came to form part of the defensive network of O'Doherty fortifications designed to protect them from rival clans and to overawe those who accepted their overlordship. The land between the Swilly and the Foyle was rich in cattle and corn, but it was vulnerable to attack from both land and sea, thus explaining the number of castles built in the region.
When the castle was built, Inch was an island and was considered secure. It guarded the waters of the Swilly and protected the heartlands of the O’Dohertys. Interestingly though, the O’Dohertys resided at the castle of Elagh, near Derry/Londonderry instead, until 1600.
As for Inch Island itself, it had over four hundred inhabited houses in the early seventeenth century, making it the wealthiest district in Donegal at that time. This, in the context of upheaval in Ulster, made it a target throughout the century.
The loss of Inch Island to the English was the catalyst for Sir Cahir O’Doherty’s rebellion against the English. That, along with being struck in public by the Governor of Derry, George Paulet, who was considered by O'Doherty to be of "lower class", spurred Cahir into action.
The O'Doherty's were the dominant family on the nearby peninsula of Inishowen and had close links with the O'Donnells. It came to form part of the defensive network of O'Doherty fortifications designed to protect them from rival clans and to overawe those who accepted their overlordship. The land between the Swilly and the Foyle was rich in cattle and corn, but it was vulnerable to attack from both land and sea, thus explaining the number of castles built in the region.
When the castle was built, Inch was an island and was considered secure. It guarded the waters of the Swilly and protected the heartlands of the O’Dohertys. Interestingly though, the O’Dohertys resided at the castle of Elagh, near Derry/Londonderry instead, until 1600.
As for Inch Island itself, it had over four hundred inhabited houses in the early seventeenth century, making it the wealthiest district in Donegal at that time. This, in the context of upheaval in Ulster, made it a target throughout the century.
The loss of Inch Island to the English was the catalyst for Sir Cahir O’Doherty’s rebellion against the English. That, along with being struck in public by the Governor of Derry, George Paulet, who was considered by O'Doherty to be of "lower class", spurred Cahir into action.
O'Dochartaigh's Keep, Buncrana
Sitting on the banks of the River Crana near Lough Swilly adjacent Swan Park and the Castle Bridge stands O’Doherty’s Keep
In 1601 it was a small, two-story castle, occupied by Conor Mc Garret O’Dochartaigh. In 1602 a third storey was added, and the keep restored by Hugh Boy O’Dochartaigh. He intended it as a base for aid from Spanish forces who were expected to arrive at Inch Island.
Crown forces burnt the keep in 1608 in retaliation for the revolt of Sir Cahir O’Dochartaigh, who had sacked and destroyed the city of Derry. After Sir Cahir O’Dochartaigh’s death at the Battle of Kilmacrennan, the Keep was granted to Sir Arthur Chichester, who leased it to Englishman Henry Vaughan. Further restoration work was carried out by the Vaughan family who occupied the keep until 1718. The town of Buncrana finds it’s origins from this location.
In 1601 it was a small, two-story castle, occupied by Conor Mc Garret O’Dochartaigh. In 1602 a third storey was added, and the keep restored by Hugh Boy O’Dochartaigh. He intended it as a base for aid from Spanish forces who were expected to arrive at Inch Island.
Crown forces burnt the keep in 1608 in retaliation for the revolt of Sir Cahir O’Dochartaigh, who had sacked and destroyed the city of Derry. After Sir Cahir O’Dochartaigh’s death at the Battle of Kilmacrennan, the Keep was granted to Sir Arthur Chichester, who leased it to Englishman Henry Vaughan. Further restoration work was carried out by the Vaughan family who occupied the keep until 1718. The town of Buncrana finds it’s origins from this location.
Carrickabraghy Castle, Isle of Doagh, Clonmany
With Dunaff Head and Urris is the background, this castle stands witness to many beautiful sunsets at it faces west to the Atlantic Ocean. Also the perfect place to view the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights.
Carrickabraghy today is a small square keep with a round tower beside it joined on at one corner. The building stands right on the rocky shore of Doagh Island and has been part of a much larger stone built complex of buildings. The castle is at least sixteenth century and was in the possession of Phelemy Brasleigh O’Doherty in 1600.
In 1608 Sir Cahir O’Doherty used the castle to plan his attack on Culmore Fort and Derry and in 1611 it was granted to Chichester who let it to a Lieutenant Hoan. This soldier set about creating a bawn around it and the outer walls seem to have lasted in part up to the early nineteenth century.
A local committee was set up to conserve the castle structure and the first phase of these works was completed in 2013 thanks to government funding and the generous donations received from around the world.
Carrickabraghy today is a small square keep with a round tower beside it joined on at one corner. The building stands right on the rocky shore of Doagh Island and has been part of a much larger stone built complex of buildings. The castle is at least sixteenth century and was in the possession of Phelemy Brasleigh O’Doherty in 1600.
In 1608 Sir Cahir O’Doherty used the castle to plan his attack on Culmore Fort and Derry and in 1611 it was granted to Chichester who let it to a Lieutenant Hoan. This soldier set about creating a bawn around it and the outer walls seem to have lasted in part up to the early nineteenth century.
A local committee was set up to conserve the castle structure and the first phase of these works was completed in 2013 thanks to government funding and the generous donations received from around the world.
Northburg Castle, Greencastle
Northburgh Castle, also known as Green Castle, is a ruined 14th-century castle near Greencastle, County Donegal, Ireland. It was built in 1305 by Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster. Northburgh Castle was sited to control Lough Foyle.
De Burg did not keep possession of his castle long, as from 1315 to 1316 he defended against attacks from Edward Bruce, brother of Robert Bruce of Scotland. Following the battle of Bannockburn, Edward was sent to Ireland by his brother to win the crown of Ireland. Northburg was soon seized by Edward in 1316. However the victory was not sustained, as Edward was killed in Co. Down shortly after 1318.
De Burg regained his stronghold and was succeeded by his grandson, William, when he retired eight years later. William was known as the Brown Earl and married Maude Plantagenet, great granddaughter of Henry III.
The Lordship of Inishowen passed on to the O’Donnell’s early in the 15th century. Their dependents, the O’Dohertys established themselves at Northburg.
In 1541 Sean Mor O’Doherty, Lord of Inishowen, joined with the other chiefs in submitting to King Henry VIII and was given the title of Sir John Mor O’Doherty. He married Rose, daughter of Manus O'Donnell, Lord of Tir Connail. Calvach, son of Manus O’Donnell, on having a disagreement with his father left Tir Connail to seek help in Scotland, where he obtained forces. He returned to Donegal with a famous gun called Gonna Gam ( The Crooked Gun), with which he destroyed Northburg in 1555. Northburgh Castle was left more or less in the state we see it today.
Around the time of the Ulster Plantation in the 1600s the castle came under the control of the Lord Deputy of Ireland. He made a small number of repairs and garrisoned English troops here for a time, but by 1700 it was completely ruined.