The Donovan Castles

The O'Donovan/Donovan Castles

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After growing tired of only finding bits and pieces of information about the castles affiliated with the O'Donovans, I have attempted to compile a unified place to learn about the castles built by and lived in by the O'Donovan clan.  Much of my information comes from the O'Donovan history book that was complied for the Gathering in 2000 as well as from Mainchín Seoighe's  book From Bruree to Corcomohide.

Originally, The Donovans settled near Bruree, Croom and Kilmallock in County Limerick before being forced out.  After leaving Limerick, The Donovans settled between Castlehaven and Rosscarbery inlet on the coast of Cork and inland as far as the Mealagh River.  After the relocation, the Clann Cathail sept established a seat at Castle Donovan.

Castle Donovan/Caisleán Uí Dhonnabháin

Castle Donovan (known as Suagh when in use) is the most well known of the Donovan castles.  Located north of Drimoleague, roughly at 51°41'35,60" N, 9°16'55,44" W (Map reference W113496(1113,0496))– it is signposted from Drimoleague.  Try this link to see a grid reference map.

The castle is believed to have been built by Dónall of the Hides (Domhnall na g-Croiceann), Lord of Clancahill, close to the bank of the River Ilen about 1560 in order to guard the northern border of the sept's lands.  Cathail ruled 67 townlands, mostly near Drimoleague, Drinagh and Myross.

The castle itself is a tower house style castle, typical of the time in Ireland.   The dimensions of the castle are: 61 feet (19 meters) tall, 47 feet (14 m) long, and 26 feet (8 meters) wide with 6 foot thick walls.  The walls are a mixture of lime, sand, gravel, horse hair and animal blood.  The structure is four stories tall plus an attic with a 91 step spiral staircase in the Northwest corner that led from the ground to the top of the castle.  Originally the castle had a bawn (surrounding wall) and outbuildings surrounding the tower.
It was built on a rock outcropping facing to the south of the glen and featured mural chambers (small rooms hollowed out within a wall) in the west wall, fireplaces on the first and third floors, large windows on the second an third floors, bartizans at the Northeast and Southeast corners, and a parapet (or battlement) on the top. The parapets were supported by strong balconies on which sat small cannons.  Beneath the balconies were openings known as machicolations, through which defenders could drop items onto attackers.  The main door was made of heavy oak and located on the western side.  The doorway was decorated with a Gothic limestone arch.  In front of the entrance was a huge flat topped rock, known as Carraig na Mart, which was used to slaughter sheep and cattle for food.  One room (probably the lower rooms) was used for food storage for the garrison at the castle, another room was used for storing gunpowder and cannonballs.
In 1641, Cromwellians attacked Castle Donovan in retaliation for Dónall III siding with the Stuarts and participating in the Rebellion of 1641.  The defenders escaped by night after they had run out of ammunition.  The attack marked the end of the castle as a residence and eventually led to the collapse of the southern wall.

Castle Donovan in 2000

Castle Donovan

A photo of the castle taken some time between 1880 and 1900 can be seen here.

The glen that surrounds Castle Donovan:

According to this the restoration of the castle is complete.  I can't wait to see it!

Castle Rasheen/Raheen/Rathín

Places like this are why tourists come to Ireland. The castle stands largely intact on the eastern bank on Glandore Harbour (the village of Castletownshend is across the Harbour). If you look at this Ordinance Survey map, you can see the castle marked just to the west of Raheen.
After the fall of Castle Donovan, this became the main Donovan castle protecting trade interests in the harbour.  Built in 1584 by Dónall II, this was the principle residence of Donal III.  Placed in Myross parish to guard the southern border of the clan's territory, it is smaller but similar to Castle Donovan.

The walls were damaged by Cromwell's Naval attack (in the 1640s) and the eastern wall has completely collapsed.  The castle was lost when Donal IV backed the Spanish (who lost) at Kinsale in 1691.

The view of the castle from the water (the west)

 

This is one of many cannonballs that Cromwell left lodged in the side of the castle during his invasion of Ireland. Many others are still in the side of the tower.

The eastern wall of the castle (away from the water)

A panoramic view of the castle and the harbour

Castle Ivor/Eyre

Located near Union Hall village (in the townland of Listarkin) on a rocky mound overlooking Lough Cluhir (Clubir), the north and west walls are all that remain of Castle Ivor (Castle Eyre).  You can see the castle marked on this Ordinance Survey map.  Built in 1251 (some sources say 1220), this was the seat of the Sliocht Íomhair sept of the O'Donovans.  Ivor's family resided in the castle until the mid 16th century, when it was lost to Dónall of Castle Donovan.   Legend has it that Ivor was a magician and still is seen to this day.  There are two versions of the story:  Version 1...  Every seven years Ivor's ship briefly appears on Lough Cluhir then disappears.  Version 2... If any O'Donovan is about to die, Ivor's ship appears on the lough.

Bawnlahan/Banlahan

Map Ref: W1973234046
Latitude: 51.553888N Longitude: 9.15799W
Try this link to see a grid reference map.

Located near Castle Ivor in Mryoss, Banlahan was built in the early 17th century (most likely) by Dònall III.  After Castle Raheen was damaged, this became the "seat" of the O'Donovans.  This site is reported to be currently enclosed by an inner and outer wall, but I have not visited the site.  It was later known as Castle Jane.

Clocha’tStráidbhaile

The Clann Lochlainn sept ruled 67 townlands between the river Roury and Glandore Harbour.  This castle served as the seat of the sept in the hamlet overlooking Glandore Harbour.  It was originally built by the Barrets but was lost to Clan Lochlainn in or around 1261.  This is another site that I have not visited.

Bruree, Co. Limerick

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 earthen forts (on the same farm) and made of pre-Norman sandstone bricks that were clearly made by a different mason than the Norman tower house.  According to T.J. Westropp, the wall was part of a D-shaped fort made of better construction than the De Lacy Tower.

To find the site, head west of the village (I believe you can find it west of the village off of R518 - the first right after you leave the village).  It is on private property, so you will have to ask permission to go on the farm.