Donegal Castle

In the heart of Donegal Town, towering over the River Eske, stands Donegal Castle.

Built in the fifteenth century by Red Hugh O’Donnell as his personal fortress, to ensure it would never fall into English hands, he set it on fire as he fled to safety in Spain following the Battle of Kinsale.

Despite Red Hugh’s best efforts, Sir Basil Brooke became the new lord of the castle in 1616. He embarked on significant improvements, building the handsome manor house beside the tower. He also commissioned the magnificent chimney piece in the Great Hall, decorated with carved fruit and his own coat of arms.

The site fell into ruin in the twentieth century but was brought back to its former glory in the 1990s.

Donegal Castle
Donegal Town
Co. Donegal
F4 P996

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