Site of Castle Sollus — Report the wrong picture

What is recorded here

Castle Sollus guarded the Swilly ford where Cathbarr O'Donnell died in 1580. Men pulled its remains down in the early 1800s, erasing the stones that had watched the water for centuries. The ford keeps the castle's name while the castle itself has vanished, leaving only the river to remember what the stones once held.

Castle Sollus (site of): Cathbarr O'Donnell died here in 1580 (AFM). It was described in 1654-6 as the 'old Castle of Scarsolus' (Simmington 1937, 119). The remains of this castle were pulled down in the early 19th century. It stood on the S bank of the River Swilly and probably served to guard the ford, Scairbh Sholais, from which it received its name (O'Flanagan 1927, 125). No visible trace of this castle survives. 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

Cathbarr O'Donnell, a member of the O'Donnell dynasty, died at the site of Castle Sollus in 1580. The castle is remembered for its historical association with the Gaelic nobility of the region and was later noted as the 'old Castle of Scarsolus' in the 17th century.

This remains an important historical record, but the official description says the monument is no longer visible or has been destroyed. The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.