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At the E end of Tory Island is an indented peninsula (or series of connected peninsulas) over which is distributed a large number of archaeological sites. This area which is roughly 700m N-S and from 50m to 220m E-W is also the highest part of the island, most of it rising sheer out of the ocean. A low narrow isthmus c. 40m wide NW-SE forms a natural fosse/ditch leading to the S section of the peninsula. On the inner edge of this is the grass-covered remains of a stone wall c. 40m long × c. 2m wide and from .5m to 1m in height. For a short stretch a number of granite blocks on edge can be seen. The OS 6-inch maps record the site of a castle in this area. It is likely that this is the same structure mentioned in the Civil Survey of 1654-56 (Simington 1937, 114) as a 'Little Castle' (DG006-004002-) and by O'Donovan (O'Flanagan 1927, 57) in 1835 as a modern square castle of lime and stone. There are no visible remains of this castle and it is not clear what connection if any the stone wall described above had with it.
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
This remains an important historical record, but the official description says the monument is no longer visible or has been destroyed.
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