First mentioned in 1587 when the lands were granted to Sir John O'Doherty, the castle served as the chief stronghold of the O'Doherty clan. A detailed illustration from 1601 shows it at its most impressive; a formidable fortress with thick defensive walls, two casemates, and five pieces of artillery, strategically...
Structure, Carrickabraghy, Co. Donegal
The castle gained particular note in 1600 when it served as the residence of Phelemy Brasleigh O'Doherty, a member of one of Donegal's most powerful Gaelic families. Following the Flight of the Earls and the subsequent Plantation of Ulster, the castle was granted to Arthur Chichester in 1611, who promptly...
Structure, Carrickabraghy, Co. Donegal
This modest tower house, likely built during the 16th century, played its part in the turbulent politics of Ulster at the dawn of the 17th century. In 1600, it served as the stronghold of Phelemy Brasleigh O'Doherty, one of the last Gaelic lords to resist English rule in the region....
Building, Caiseal Charna, Co. Donegal
This circular stone enclosure, known locally as Caiseal Charna, measures roughly 31.5 metres from north-northwest to south-southeast and 28.8 metres from northeast to southwest. What remains today are two concentric stone walls, now largely collapsed and overgrown with grass, that once formed a formidable defensive structure. The space between these...
House – 16th/17th century, Baile An Easa, Co. Donegal
The lands of Ballyness were originally granted to Henry Hart in 1611, who quickly sold them on to Wybrant Olphert, a Dutch Protestant settler. By 1619, records describe 'a stone fort, and house in it' occupied by an English family, though just three years later Olphert, then living in Derry,...