Castle Wray

Freestanding single-bay two-storey tower or dovecote associated with Castle Wray (now ruinous, see 40905304), built c. 1750 and possibly containing earlier fabric (possibly a flanker tower to earlier bawn to site). Possibly later in use as a folly. Now out of use. Rubble stone walls with traces of early lime render over. Top now truncated. Located adjacent to remains of Castle Wray adjacent to stream to the north-east of house. Bridge located adjacent to the west. Set back from road in extensive mature former demesne lands to the north-east of Letterkenny, and to the south of Ramelton.

This curious tower-like structure was originally associated with Castle Wray (see 40905304), which now lies in fragmentary ruins to the south-east. It may be an eighteenth century dovecote, a common feature of many eighteenth century (and earlier estates) that were used to provide a ready supply of eggs and\or meat and were a relatively common feature in country demesnes in Ireland. Its location adjacent to a river in a defensive location to the north-east of the site of Castle Wray, which originally dated to c. 1610 and was described as a house ‘of lime and stone within its protecting bawn’, suggests that it was possibly originally built as a flanker for the original seventeenth century bawn wall, a feature found on many seventeenth century houses dating from the Plantation era in Ulster, an example of which can be seen at the original Fort Stewart (see RMP DG046-11----) a few kilometres to the north-east. It could also be a later folly, designed to act as an ‘eye-catcher’ in the landscape of the former demesne. This interesting structure forms part of a group of structures associated with Castle Wray, and is an addition to the built heritage of the local area.