Indicated — An Chorrmhín (tc An Clochar)

Lough Eske Island Castle (DG094-008-): This island castle was a major stronghold of the O'Donnells in the late 16th century and early years of the 17th century, and was described as the place where Sir Niall Garbh O'Donnell chiefly resided (AFM 1601 and 1602; Murphy ed., 1895, 277, 281; CSPI 1600, 281; CSPI 1600-1, 278). Upon the revolt of Sir Cahir O'Doherty in 1608 the Island was captured by Sir Henry Folliott (CSPI 1608-10, xlix). This small island is now covered with trees and vegetation, and contains the remains of a keep on the N, and a large bawn (DG094-007002-) on the S. The bawn walls c. 2m thick and 2m-3m in height, enclose a sub-rectangular area 35m by 39m almost the whole of the island. The walls have collapsed in places, particularly the N stretch of the E wall and trees, growing through the thickness of the walls, have dislodged sections of the masonry. There are the remains of three uncovered embrasures in the W wall one at the S end of the E wall and another about midway along the S wall. This last is the best preserved, over 3m high on the exterior, and contains three gun loops. The central loop is set in the outer wall of the embrasure and the others, opening through the ingoings, are diagonally set in the wall defending the SW and SE approaches. The N bawn wall has a secondary additional wall built against its outer face. There is a gateway in the centre of the N wall which gives access over a narrow neck of land to a small promontory on the N. On the E side of this neck and beside the bawn wall are the remains of a structure, possibly for landing boats and an opening in the thickness of the N wall (now much ruined) is probably the remains of a mural passage from the bawn to this structure. There are the foundations of a building on the promontory to the N and although some wall faces are visible no coherent plan is discernible among the fallen masonry and vegetation. This is probably the site of the keep. Fagan records that a female exhibitionist figure (DG094-007003-) which had been taken from this island castle was then (1846-7) in the side of the coach house at Lougheask Castle (Bk. 14, 10). A general search (Oct. 1981) failed to locate this carving, a sketch of which is preserved among the OS Memoirs. 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