What is Donegal castle's history?

Question

What is Donegal castle's history?

Answer 1

"Donegal, or in Irish Dún na nGall translates as Fort of the Foreigner possibly coming from a Viking fortress destroyed in 1159 in the area. However, due hundreds of years of development, no archaeological evidence of this early fortress exists. The castle was built in 1474 by Hugh Roe O'Donnell, wealthy chief of the O'Donnell clan at the time. At the same time, he and his wife Nuala, built a Franciscan Abbey further down the river. A local legend tells of a tunnel connecting the two but no evidence for this has been found. The castle was regarded as one of the finest Gaelic castles in Ireland. This was indicated by a report by a visiting English deputy Henry Sydney in 1566:

"it is the greatest I ever saw in an Irishman's hands: and would appear to be in good keeping; one of the fairest situated in good soil and so nigh a portable water a boat of ten tonnes could come within ten yards of it"

After the disastrous Nine Years war the leaders of the O'Donnell clan left Ireland in the Flight of the Earls. In 1611 the castle and its lands were granted to an English Captain, Basil Brooke. The keep had been severely damaged by the leaving O'Donnells to prevent the castle being used against the Gaelic clans but was quickly restored by its new owners. Brooke also added windows, a gable and a large manor-house wing to the keep, all in the Jacobean style. The castle was owned by the Brooke family for many generations until it fell into a ruinous state in the 18th century. In 1898 the then owner, the Earl of Arran, donated the castle to the Office of Public Works."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donegal_cas...

Answer 2

Donegal Castle (Donegal)

Built by the O'Donnell chieftain in the 15th century, beside the River Eske, the Castle has extensive 17th century additions by Sir Basil Brooke. The Castle is furnished throughout and includes Persian rugs and French tapestries. Information panels chronicle the history of the Castle owners from the O'Donnell chieftains to the Brooke family. Limited access for people with disabilities to the ground floor.

Visitor Information



Address:

Telephone No:

Fax No:

Location:

Donegal Town.

[phone]

[phone]

[phone]

In the centre of Donegal Town

http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/Histori...

http://www.donegallibrary.ie/memory/town...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donegal_cas...

http://www.12travel.com/ie/attractions/d...

Answer 3

Donegal Castle is situated in Donedal Town, Donegal County, Ireland.  The Castle was built in 1505 by the O'Donnell family who were the ruling Gaelic family in Donegal for over a thousand years until they left Ireland with the Flight of the Earls in 1607.  The rectangular tower was then occupied by Sir Basil Brooke who transformed it by adding gables and windows and making the first floor into a banqueting hall complete with a Jacobean fireplace bearing his coat of arms.  Beside the Tower Sir Basil built a southern facing manor house and reinforced the bawn-wall surrounding the castle.  The castle was owned by the Brooke family for many generations until it fell into a ruinous state in the 18th century. In 1898 the then owner, the Earl of Arran, donated the castle to the Office of Public Works.

Recently the castle has been renovated by the Office of Public Works. The keep has had new roofing and flooring added, all built in keeping with the original styles and techniques used in the 15th and 17th centuries. The stone work has been restored and the manor wing has been partially roofed. The oak timbers used came from the Brookeborough Estate in County Fermanagh. The castle is now open to the public and often hosts events like Gaelic cultural evenings.  It is open daily from mid-June to October between the hours of 9:30am and 6:30pm.