Doe Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Doe Castle |
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| Native name Caisleán na dTuath | |
Doe Castle from the front, featuring Towerhouse and Bawn Walls
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| Location | Sheephaven Bay, Co. Donegal |
| Built | Early 15th century |
Doe Castle, also known as Caisleán na dTuath, is an old castle located near Creeslough in County Donegal, Ireland. It was once a strong home for the MacSweeney family, a powerful group of warriors. Built in the early 1400s, it's one of the best-preserved castles in northwest Ireland.
The castle sits on a small piece of land that sticks out into the water, with water on three sides. On the fourth side, a ditch called a moat was dug into the rock to protect it. The castle has tall outer walls that surround an inner yard (called a bawn) and a four-story main building, which is known as a tower-house or keep.
History of Doe Castle
Doe Castle was likely built in the 1400s by the O'Donnell family. However, by the 1440s, it became the property of the MacSweeney family. The MacSweeneys were a group of skilled warriors who often fought for Irish chiefs.
The MacSweeney family owned the castle for nearly 200 years. In the early 1600s, after a period known as the Plantation of Ulster, English settlers took control of the castle. This was a time when many English and Scottish people moved to Ireland.
Key Events at the Castle
Doe Castle played an important role in Irish history. In 1642, a famous Irish leader named Owen Roe O'Neill returned to Ireland at Doe Castle. He came back to lead the Ulster Army during a major conflict known as the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
During the 1600s, Ireland saw many battles as English and Irish groups fought for control. Doe Castle changed hands several times during these struggles. For example, in 1650, Sir Charles Coote, who was in charge of Londonderry, took over the castle.
Eventually, a man named Sir George Vaughan Hart bought the castle. His family lived there until 1843.
Doe Castle Today
In 1932, Doe Castle became the property of the Land Commission, an Irish government body. Then, in 1934, it was officially declared a national monument. This means it's a protected historical site. The Office of Public Works now looks after the castle.
The main tower-house of the castle had a big restoration project in the 1990s. This work helped to repair and preserve the old building.
Visiting Doe Castle
The grounds of Doe Castle are open every day for visitors to explore. If you visit during the summer months, you can even take a guided tour of the tower-house.
A fun fact about the castle is that in 2001, Irish singer Brian McFadden proposed to his (now ex-) wife, Kerry Katona, there. He chose the spot because it was where his own grandfather had proposed to his grandmother.
