Doe Castle, Medieval castle and national monument at Sheephaven Bay, County Donegal, Ireland
Doe Castle is a tower house on a small peninsula at Sheephaven Bay that is surrounded by water on three sides. A moat was carved into the rock on the landward side, further restricting access to the fortress.
The fortress was controlled by the MacSweeneys from the 1440s onwards and served as a crucial stronghold for the family. The clan chiefs lost control during the early 1600s as the Plantation of Ulster transformed the region.
The carved grave-slab of the MacSweeneys from 1544 shows skilled stonework and tells of the family who shaped this place for centuries. Visitors today can still admire the craftsmanship that reflects the medieval life of the region.
The grounds are accessible daily at no charge and visitors can freely explore the surroundings. Those wishing to see inside the tower should arrange a guided tour in advance by email.
In 1588 the clan chief Eoghan Og II sheltered surviving sailors from the Spanish Armada at the fortress. This hidden episode links Ireland to one of the most dramatic chapters of European history.
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