What is recorded here

Stonewold Castle was a compact stone box set into a mound above the shallow River Erne, its thick walls rising only six feet before the water rose to swallow the whole site. The gap in the east wall likely marked a doorway, inviting entry into a small life lived close to the current. When the hydro-electric scheme flooded Ballyhanna, the castle did not fall; it simply stopped being visible.

Stonewold Castle (DG107-062----/DG107-062001-): This small tower-house stood on the S bank overlooking a shallow stretch of the River Erne, which was fordable when the water level was low. It was rectangular in plan, 36 1/2 ft by 28 1/2 ft with walls 6 1/2 ft thick, averaging 6 ft in height. It stood on a small mound (DG107-062002-) which was surrounded on the land-ward side by a fosse which was, in part, artificial. The castle was set in the mound, the interior ground level being 5 ft below the exterior top of the mound; a gap in the E wall was probably the site of a doorway (Ua Danachair and MacAdam 1946, NMI Topographical Files). This site was subsequently submerged by the River Erne hydro-electric scheme. 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

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