Bawn in Killybegs

Killybegs Castle (site of) (DG097-015007-): This was probably a McSwyne Castle. Noted in 1622 as 'an old ruinous bawn (DG097-015008-) of lime and stone (60 ft. square and 8 ft. high) upon one side whereof there is a ruinous castle (30 ft. in length and 20 ft. in breadth) without any floors or covering' (Treadwell 1953-5, 514). A battery was planted at this castle by the East India Company to guard the harbour in the early 18th century (Pococke 1752, 68). By 1848, only the foundation courses were discernible among the fallen rubble (Fagan Bk. 19, 12). The area in which the castle was sited is known as Castle Point and is so marked on the OS 6-inch maps. Tradition records that the stones from this castle were used to build the Catholic Church erected c. 1763 (Conaghan [1974] 41). The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008

Probably built by the McSwyne family, Bawn in Killybegs dates to at least the early 17th century and is remembered as a defensive structure associated with local Gaelic landholding in the region. Its remains, including a lime and stone enclosure, provide insight into early modern frontier defenses in Ireland.