Initially believed to be the site of a castle and bawn constructed by Thomas Dutton in the early 1600s, recent investigations suggest a different story altogether. The house that visitors see today likely dates from the 18th century, a full hundred years or more after Dutton’s supposed fortification would have been built.

The confusion surrounding Inishcoo House speaks to a common challenge in Irish architectural history; distinguishing between successive buildings on the same site. Dutton, an English planter who arrived during the Ulster Plantation, would have built his defensive structure during a turbulent period when such fortified homes were essential for survival. A bawn, essentially a walled courtyard designed to protect livestock and provide refuge during raids, would have been a practical addition to any planter’s residence in those uncertain times.

Whether the current house incorporates any remnants of Dutton’s original structure remains an open question. The 18th century building that stands today represents a more settled period in Irish history, when the need for defensive architecture had given way to Georgian elegance and comfort. Local historian Patrick Boner’s research has helped clarify the timeline, though Inishcoo House continues to guard some of its secrets, much like the many layers of history that characterise this corner of Donegal.