Inch Island Castle (O'Dohertys) Co, Donegal Republic Of Ireland
Inch Island Castle (O'Dohertys) Co, Donegal Republic Of Ireland Inch Castle is a ruined castle located on the southern tip of Inch Island in County Donegal, Ireland. The castle was constructed around 1430 by the Gaelic Irish lord Neachtain O'Donnell for his father-in-law Cahir O'Doherty.The O'Doherty's were the dominant family on the nearby peninsula of Inishowen and had close links with the O'Donnells. It came to form part of the defensive network of O'Doherty fortifications designed to protect them from rival clans.
By 1609, when granted to Sir Arthur Chichester, he stated that it was in a state of disrepair.
When the castle was built, Inch was an island and was considered secure. It guarded the waters of the Swilly and protected the heartlands of the O’Dohertys. Interestingly though, the O’Dohertys resided at the castle of Elagh, near Londonderry instead, until 1600.
The land between the Swilly and the Foyle was rich in cattle and corn, but it was vulnerable to attack from both land and sea, thus explaining the number of castles built in the region. Therefore, Inch Castle was built as part of a network of O’Doherty castles designed to ward off anyone who threatened their lordship.
As for Inch Island itself, it had over four hundred inhabited houses in the early seventeenth century, making it the wealthiest district in Donegal at that time. This, in the context of upheaval in Ulster, made it a target throughout the century.
The loss of Inch Island to the English was the catalyst for Sir Cahir O’Doherty’s rebellion against the English.
Castles County Donegal, Ireland
A selection of some of the most beautiful castles in County Donegal, Ireland.
Castle ruins can be spotted in many areas of the county, including:
Burt Castle, (near Letterkenny)
Carrickabraghy Castle, (near Clonmany)
Doe Castle, (Cresslough)
Donegal Castle (Donegal Town)
Glenveagh Castle (near Letterkenny)
Inch Castle (inch Island, Inishowen))
Lough Eske Castle (near Donegal Town)
McSwyne Castle (Near Killybegs)
Mongavlin Castle ((near Lifford)
O'Doherty Keep (Buncrana)
Raphoe Castle (Raphoe Town)
Termon McGrath Castle (Pettigo)
O'Doherty Castle - Inch Island
O'Doherty Castle ruins on Inch Island in County Donegal, Inishowen Peninsula, Ireland - June 30, 2013. The ruins of a centuries-old castle at the southwest corner of Inch Island. Not easy to access.
O'Doherty Castle Carrickabraghy Inishowen Co. Donegal
Carrickabraghy Castle is one of the iconic sites of the historic Inishowen peninsula. It is also known as O'Doherty Castle.
Built in the 16th century on a rocky promontory with
spectacular views of the Donegal hills and headlands,
this O’Doherty stronghold stands on the site of a
pre-Viking settlement recorded in the Annals (of Ireland).
For more Information visit
Inch Wildfowl Reserve, Inch Levels, Burt, Co Donegal
This is Inch Wildfowl Reserve, Inch Levels, Burt, Co Donegal Ulster.
The Wildfowl reserve is found near Buncrana and it encompassses a massive area of water. 2km from Derry/Londonderry and 26km from Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.
' The combination of extensive feeding areas and safe resting and roosting sites makes this site one of the most important wetlands in the country for wintering waterfowl. This site is situated to the east of Lough Swilly, approximately 8 km to the south of Buncrana. It supports a wide diversity of wintering waterfowl, notably swans and geese, as well as breeding terns, gulls, waders and duck.Each winter the site hosts thousands of migratory birds including geese, swans, ducks and other waders. During the winter months it is not unusual to see fields with several thousand Greylag Geese or Whooper Swans grazing and witness the return of the birds to the lake at dusk is one of the most impressive wildlife displays you are likely to witness. During the summer months Inch Wildfowl Reserve is alive with activity as a huge variety of birds make this their home rearing their young around the lake.
The pathway infrastructure at the Reserve is dotted with hides and it allows for outdoor walking, running and cycling. The site includes a popular 8km looped path with seating, viewpoints and a number of bird hides open to the public. This scenic pathway follows around the lake edge and offers panoramic views of the surrounding agricultural landscape and wetlands.'
If you are keen on wildlife this is the place to be. an our walk we saw wigeon, canada geese, greylag, swans, numerous robin and mistle thrush and several yellow hammer. If we could have stayed longer and walked further I'm sure we would have seen a lot more.
Admission is free.
Linsfort Castle B&B Buncrana
Linsfort Castle B&B near Buncrana is featured on UTV's Lesser Spotted Ulster on Sunday 19th September at 6.45pm.
The new time gives UTV viewers the chance to round off the weekend in the relaxing company of the show's presenter, Joe Mahon, one of Northern Ireland's favourite television personalities.
Lesser Spotted Ulster explores the beautiful, but often overlooked nooks and crannies of the Ulster countryside while Joe exchanges banter with the locals.
Inch Island, Co. Donegal, Ireland
Some photos I've taken over the last few years from Grianan Fort in Donegal, Ireland.
Thanks to the accompaniment of The Chieftains and The Rankin Family. The song is 'An Innis Aigh'.
Burt Castle, Burt. County Donegal, Ireland
Burt Castle is a ruined castle located close to Newtowncunningham and Burt, County Donegal, Ireland. Historically it was sometimes spelt as Birt Castle. It is also known by the name O'Doherty's Castle, and should not be mistaken for O'Doherty's Castle near Buncrana.
The Castle was constructed in the sixteenth century during the reign of Henry VIII. It was a traditional stronghold of the O'Doherty's, protecting the southern edge of their Inishowen Lordship. The design of the Castle was strongly influenced by contemporary Scottish fortifications, and anticipated the style of buildings constructed during the Ulster Plantation of the following century.
During a disputed succession in 1600 the Crown's Governor of Derry Sir Henry Docwra backed the successful candidate, the fifteen-year-old Cahir O'Doherty. O'Doherty wished to break free of the overlordship of Red Hugh O'Donnell and fought on the Crown's side during the Nine Years' War and was knighted for his bravery. Burt Castle was a vital post because it controlled a strategic area, allowing Docwra to bring in food supplies and to open up an offensive against O'Donnell. A garrison of a hundred men under Captain John Vaughan were stationed there.
Following the war O'Doherty continued in his loyalty to the Crown but in 1608, after a dispute with the new Governor of Derry, O'Doherty rose in revolt with the castle as his headquarters. The Burning of Derry in April triggered what became known as O'Doherty's Rebellion. In response the Dublin authorities sent troops to overrun O'Doherty's Inishowen heartlands. After a siege they captured Burt Castle and freed the prisoners taken at Derry who were being held there. Shortly afterwards O'Doherty was killed at the Battle of Kilmacrennan and the rebellion collapsed.
During the Williamite War the Castle was the site of a skirmish between Jacobite forces and troops under the overall command of General Percy Kirke who were supporting William III.
Inch Island,Dunree Fort,Mamore Gap & Mary's Garden
Road Trip in Inishowen
DJI Phantom 2 Vision + of Inch Island & Fahan, Co. Donegal Ireland
My camera drone (DJI Phantom 2 with Vision +) film footage of Inch Island & Fahan, Co. Donegal Ireland.
BURT CASTLE CO. DONEGAL REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
BURT CASTLE, CO. DONEGAL
FILMED IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
inch island
A stroll around Inch island in County Donegal Ireland..on my Sunday morning walkabout...
O Doherty's Castle Inch from the sky
Inch Castle is situated at the extreme seaward end of Inch Island. It was built in the middle of the fifteenth century but, by 1609, when granted to Sir Arthur Chichester, he stated that it was in a state of disrepair.
When the castle was built, Inch was an island and was considered secure. It guarded the waters of the Swilly and protected the heartlands of the O’Dohertys
Burt Castle is a hidden gem that many people pass by without visiting. There is no road leading to it and it is actually now located on private farmland – however, this means that when you visit, you are likely to have the whole place to yourself.
Development of Buncrana Town from 1700s to 1840: Larry McNutt
Incorporating his own family story, Dr. Larry McNutt shares his research on the development of Buncrana, Co. Donegal from settlement to town. Talk organised by West Inishowen History and Heritage Society and held in The Exchange, Buncrana on 1 Oct 2015
Inch Island Castle (aka O'Doherty Castle)
As the man says, It's not easy to get to!:
CastleAvenueWalkthrough 1
Castle Avenue, Buncrana
INCH FORT CO DONEGAL
Inch pier and fort
DONEGAL: Fahan to Buncrana Pier
a drive along the scenic road from Fahan to Buncrana Pier, on the Inishowen Peninsula
O'Doherty's Keep, Buncrana
Sitting on the banks of the River Crana near Lough Swilly adjacent Swan Park and the Castle Bridge stands the remains of a former 14th century Norman Castle - O’Doherty’s Keep.
'The Keep' is such an important part of local and national history, and is synonymous with the name 'O'Doherty' in all of it's variations, worldwide. From Donegal to New York, from London to Guatemala, our ancestry has spanned the globe from the humble beginnings of Donegal, and the Keep. Built by the Norman's and occupied by Sir Cahir O'Dochartaigh, 'The Keep' is the link connecting Buncrana to the O'Doherty's around the world.
GRIANÁN FORT & BURT CASTLE
GRIANÁN FORT & BURT CASTLE