Off to Bruree: Site of the oldest O'Donovan strongholds

An updated version of this site can be found here

June 26, 2000
This morning we traveled to Limerick (near Bruree) to see the oldest standing Donovan architecture where we planted an oak and a time capsule. Again I was moved as we marched through the pasture 100 strong to our ancestor's ring fort (next to the wall).
I can't believe I have to leave everybody now. The last five days have been so amazing, I can't believe that we've grown so close. It's funny how similar everyone really is, actually it's scary.


Mainchín Seoighe presenting his new book From Bruree to Corcomohide to Morgan Gerald Daniel O'Donovan (The O'Donovan)
Tim O'Donovan (Co. Limerick) is on the left with the megaphone
John Emmett Donovan (U.S.) is on the right.


John Emmet Donovan digging the hole to plant the oak tree and bury the time capsule. The De Lacy tower can be seen behind John Emmett.


Tim O'Donovan placing a time capsule in the ground to be opened in 2050 at another Clan Gathering. I placed a key chain from the Donovan Ranch in Cisco, Texas owned by my Grandparents and Great Uncle who inherited it from my Great Grandfather.


This is taken from the De Lacy tower that is built on top of the stone wall built by the Donovans before the were expelled from Limerick. In the pasture behind the barn is what is thought to be the oldest Donovan fort. - an earthen ring fort. The pre-Norman wall along the River Maigue is believed to be the oldest existing stone structure built by the O'Donovans.
One of the reasons I took this picture was so that in fifty years we could find it again. I'll be 75 and hope that I will be able to be there when it comes out of the ground!

Is this Cathair Cuan?

Donnabhán had a fortress at Bruree named Cathair Cuan.  The fact that “Cathair” is used in the name suggests that it was a ring fort.  All of the existing ringforts in the Bruree area today are earthen.  It is thought that the bawn (the stone wall upon which the De Lacy Castle now stands) that runs alongside of the River Maigue in Lotteragh Upper is the remains of the fort.

It is located very near to the old royal earthern forts (on the same farm) and made of pre-Norman sandstone bricks that were clearly made by a different mason than the Norman towerhouse.  According to T.J. Westropp, the wall was part of a D-shaped fort made of better construction than the De Lacy Tower.