Lougheask — Lougheask Demesne

The mid-nineteenth century Lough Eske Castle occupies the site of an earlier mansion of 1751 (DG094-005002-) (Rowan 1979, 408), which was itself probably a rebuilding of an earlier 17th century house, as indicated by a surviving date stone (DG094-005003-) built into the wall at the SE corner of an out-building in the yard behind the castle; the inscription, in false relief reads WH, IM and the date 1621. Monitoring was undertaken by Christopher J. Farrimond of Farrimond MacManus Ltd under licence No. 06E0657 ext. in December 2006 within the footprint and immediate vicinity of Lough Eske Castle during redevelopment works at the site. The overburden, which consisted of a mix of accumulated soil wash and rubble from the collapsed portions to the rear of the castle, was removed under supervision to expose the floor levels of the 1861 castle which are to be retained within the development proposal. The floor levels themselves do not appear to date to the 19th century but rather to the reuse of the building as a hotel during the 20th century. The current development proposal also provides for the retention of many of the standing features of the historic buildings at the development site. In particular, it provides for the retention and restoration of the front south elevation of the 19th-century castle (DG094–005----), which is currently in a poor state of repair, the existing 1911 building elevations and the possible 17th-century long range to the rear of the castle building. No previously unrecorded archaeological features or artefacts were identified during the course of monitoring at the site (Bennett 2009, 99). 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. Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 14 November 2011