Bawn in Donegal

Donegal Castle: Hugh Roe O'Donnell, who died in 1505, is credited with having first erected a castle at Donegal (AFM 1505). The 'old castle' and a 'new tower' at Donegal are mentioned in a domestic conflict of 1564 (AFM 1564); the nature of this tower is uncertain. Two years later, the Lord Deputy, Sir Henry Sidney, described the castle as 'one of the greatest that ever I saw in Ireland in any Irishman's lands, and would appear in good keeping one of the fairest. . .' (Caulfield 1870-1, 22). Though burned in 1589, and partly demolished, possibly in 1595, to prevent it being garrisoned by English forces (CSPI 1588-92, 123; O'Rahilly 1927, 208), it must, soon after, have been repaired; it fell into the possession of the English in 1601 (Murphy Ed., 1895, 261, 281, 291). Whether or not it was subsequently repaired by Rory O'Donnell is unknown. Captain Basil Brooke, knighted in 1616, received a grant of the castle in 1611, had it renewed in 1620 and made permanent in 1623 (Hill 1877, 324; Petrie 1840, 186). He is described in 1611 as having 'a fair bawn built with flankers' within which was 'a strong house of stone' (Hill 1877, 514). The Coats of Arms on the over-mantel of the fireplace confirm that it was he who converted the whole, with the addition of a gabled wing, into a Jacobean manor-house. During the 1641 rebellion it was held by Sir Basil's heir, Henry Brooke, though Clanrickarde took it for a short period in 1651. Henry Brooke subsequently resided there (de Breffny and ffolliott 1975, 44-5). It fell to decay in the 18th century and was placed in the guardianship of the Office of Public Works in 1898 (Leask 1932, 12). It is now a National Monument (no. 174). For the purposes of clarity and to aid the description, the manor-house (DG093-013007-) is taken as attached to the W wall of the keep. The remains consist of a much altered tower-house (DG093-013001-) and adjoining early 17th century manor-house (DG093-013007-) at the NE end of a bawn (DG093-013006-). They are protected by the River Eske on the N and E. Two distinct building periods are evident. Some lengths of the bawn wall with splayed loops survive on the E, S and W, which together with the SW gatehouse-tower are probably not earlier than the 17th century. The other sections of enclosing wall, particularly on the W and S, probably stand on original foundations. The two-storey gate-tower has a bartizan above the SE corner. The present external entrance is possibly modern, the original access being from the parapet walk on the E where there is a pointed doorway; it is fitted with numerous loops. 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