Ruins & Archaeological Sites in County Donegal

Dún na nGall · Ulster · 17 places

County Donegal (Dún na nGall) in Ulster features 17 mapped ruins & archaeological sites, led by O'Doherty's Castle, An Clochán Mór, and Donegal Franciscan Abbey. Across these 17 listings, 15 feature verified photography and 14 include mapped nearby public parking. Notable ruins, monuments, historic churches, and towers.

Showing 17 of 17 places

RuinsDonegal

O'Doherty's Castle

Burt Castle is a ruined castle located close to Newtowncunningham and Burt, two villages in the east of County Donegal in Ulster, Ireland. Historically it was sometimes spelt as Birt Castle. It is also known by the name O'Doherty's Castle, and should not be mistaken for O'Doherty's Keep near Buncrana. The castle was constructed in the sixteenth century during the reign of Henry VIII. It was a traditional stronghold of the O'Doherty's, protecting the southern edge of their Inishowen Lordship. The design of the castle was strongly influenced by contemporary Z-Plan Scottish fortifications, and anticipated the style of buildings constructed during the Ulster Plantation of the following century. During a disputed succession in 1600, the Crown's Governor of Derry, Sir Henry Docwra, backed the successful candidate, the fifteen-year-old Sir Cahir O'Doherty. O'Doherty wished to break free of the overlordship of Red Hugh O'Donnell and fought on the Crown's side during the Nine Years' War and was knighted for his bravery. Burt Castle was a vital post because it controlled a strategic area, allowing Docwra to bring in food supplies and to open up an offensive again O'Donnell. A garrison of a hundred men under Captain John Vaughan were stationed there. Following the war O'Doherty continued in his loyalty to the Crown but in 1608, after a dispute with the new Governor of Derry, O'Doherty rose in revolt with the castle as his headquarters. The Burning of Derry in April triggered what became known as O'Doherty's Rebellion. In response the Dublin authorities sent troops to overrun O'Doherty's Inishowen heartlands. After a siege they captured Burt Castle and freed the prisoners taken at Derry who were being held there. Shortly afterwards O'Doherty was killed at the Battle of Kilmacrennan and the rebellion collapsed. During the Williamite War, the castle was the site of a skirmish between Jacobite forces and troops under the overall command of General Percy Kirke who were supporting William III.

Archaeological SiteDonegal

An Clochán Mór

Cloghanmore (translated as "the great stone heap" is a megalithic chamber tomb of the court tomb (or court cairn) type located about 8 km east from Carrick in Malin More, Glencolmcille, in County Donegal, Ireland.

ChurchDonegal

Donegal Franciscan Abbey

Donegal Abbey (Irish: Mainistir Dhún na nGall) is a ruined Franciscan Priory in Donegal in Ireland. It was constructed by the O'Donnell dynasty in the fifteenth century and remained a center of Classical Christian education even after its destruction during the Nine Years War. It is sometimes referred to as Donegal Friary. It was built in 1474 on the orders of the leading Gaelic lord of the area, the ruler of Tyrconnell Hugh Roe O'Donnell, the First, and his wife Finola O'Brien. In the Nine Years' War, the Abbey was used for a meeting between the rebel leadership and envoys of the Spanish King Philip II. The Abbey was the scene of fighting during the 1601 Siege of Donegal when a force led by Red Hugh O'Donnell attempted to capture the town from Crown forces led by the Gaelic warrior Niall Garve O'Donnell. During the fighting Niall Garve's younger brother Conn O'Donnell was killed. It is also the burial place of Hugh McManus O'Donnell, who died in 1600 after many years residing there among the Franciscans.