Donegal Castle, located in County Donegal, was built in 1474 by Sir Hugh O’Donnell and is protected by the River Eske on two sides. The O’Donnell line remained unbroken from the 13th to the 17th centuries. When Hugh O’Donnell recognized inevitable defeat, he destroyed his castle, rendering it useless to the advancing English. In 1610, three years after the O’Donnell’s left during the Flight of the Earls, the castle was given to an English captain named Basil Brooke.
(The crests of the O'Donnells [top] and the Cookes)
The castle underwent huge renovations when the Brooke family added the windows and Bartizan turrets. Then in 1623, the manor house was also added, possibly built with stones from the nearby Franciscan monastery. Most of the castle is composed limestone and sandstone. One of the castle’s defenses included a trip stairwell like the one we saw at Cahir Castle. The castle contained a garderobe, which functioned as a cloakroom as well as a bathroom. The ammonia would clean the clothing. The banquet hall was the most notable feature of the castle, containing exquisite tapestries, a massive fireplace and a vaulted ceiling. Emma loved the tapestries while Ethan dreamed of climbing the fireplace. Katy imagined using the fireplace to transport her to Hogwarts using the “Floo Network” from Harry Potter. We learned that there were two chambers on the level above the banquet hall: the bedchamber and the administrative chamber. On the next level, 17th-century attic rooms allowed for sleeping quarters for soldiers, children, and servants. There was also a Franciscan monastery down the road which legend says may have been connected to the castle via secret tunnel.
(The part of the castle to the left reminded Kelly of a jail because of the barred windows.)
This castle
is historically significant because it represents the Ulster plantation under
Cromwell and Elizabeth I. The O’Donnells, the O’Neills, and the Maguires were
the last three families in Ulster after Henry VIII and Elizabeth I had
successfully enforced British rule in the rest of Ireland. Donegal Castle
stands as a reminder of the time of the Irish chieftains and the transition to
the British occupation. It also shows the fighting spirit of the people who
live there.
(The fireplace was so big that at least five people could fit in it standing up.)
One of
Ethan’s favorite things was learning that the greatest relic of the O’Donnell
family was the Cathach Colm Cille, supposedly written by Saint Collumcille in
the 6th century. Erica was surprised by how small it was compared
the other castles we have visited. The book embodies the split between St.
Finian and St. Collumcille and instigates Collumcille’s self-imposed exile;
this case could be viewed as the world’s first conflict over copyright issues.
(Ethan really wanted to climb the walls, so he did!)
That's my boy, always climbing!
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting post. Ethan, why were you impressed with that particular relic?
Is there a reason it was smaller than most castles?
How about more pictures of the group!