Carrickabraghy Castle, Medieval castle ruins on Doagh Island, County Donegal, Ireland.
Carrickabraghy Castle is a ruined stone fortification that stands on rocky ground at the edge of Doagh Island in County Donegal. The structure occupies a prominent position overlooking Pollan Bay, with open ocean stretching toward the horizon.
The castle was built around 1550 as a defensive stronghold for the O'Doherty clan, who held power across the Inishowen peninsula. The structure fell into decline after this period and eventually became the stone remains visible today.
The castle remained connected to the O'Doherty family, who shaped the character of this remote headland. Visitors walking among the stones sense the weight of generations who lived and ruled from this windswept corner of Donegal.
The ruins sit on an island setting where ground conditions can be soft and damp, especially after rain. Sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are essential, as this headland experiences strong winds and exposed Atlantic conditions.
Rock carvings from the Bronze Age have been found near this site, showing that people lived on this coastal stretch for more than 3000 years. This discovery suggests the island's story reaches far deeper into the past than the visible stone structures.
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