Donegal Castle

From The Illustrated Dublin Journal, Volume 1, Number 15, December 14, 1861

THE venerable ruins of Donegal Castle are situated on the north bank of the little river Easky, at the extremity of the town to which, as well as the county, it has given its name. The title literally signifies the Dun or Fort of the stranger--Dun-na-Gall. According to the "Annals of the Four Masters," a fortalice was first erected here by Hugh Roe O'Donnell, in the year 1474, from which period it became the chief residence of the chiefs of Tirconnell. In 1601, this castle having been surrendered to the forces of Queen Elizabeth, through the instrumentality of Niall Garve O'Donnell, it was besieged and taken by the famous Red Hugh O'Donnell, who reduced it to a ruined pile. Dr. Petrie is of opinion that the present edifice was erected by Sir Basil Brooke, a scion of the family of Brooke, of Norton, in Cheshire, to whom a grant of the Castle was made by patent, dated the 16th of November, 1610. During the troubles of 1641, the castle was garrisoned for the King by Sir Henry Brooke, Sir Basil's son, but was taken in May, 1641, by the Marquis of Clanricarde, assisted by the Ulster forces under Sir Phelim O'Neill, and the united septs of the MacMahons and O'Reillys. He abandoned it, however, upon the advance of Sir Charles Coote, into whose possession it fell. Since this time it ceased to be used as a residence.

"Oh! solitary fort, that standest yonder,
What desolation dost thou not reveal!
How tarnished is the beauty of thine aspect,
Thou mansion of the chaste and gentle melodies!"