Burt Castle, Medieval castle on a hilltop overlooking Lough Swilly, County Donegal, Ireland.
Burt Castle is a stone fortress with three stories and two circular watchtowers positioned on a hilltop above Lough Swilly. The structure contains a vaulted chamber and commands views over surrounding marshlands and waterways.
The castle was built between 1560 and 1580 by the O'Doherty clan during a period of territorial conflict in the region. Ownership changed hands multiple times between Irish nobles and English forces as power shifted.
The castle marks a pivotal moment when Gaelic leaders had to accept English Crown authority through formal surrender agreements. Visitors can sense this tension between two powers reflected in the building's design and strategic position.
Visitors must request permission before entering the castle grounds, as the structure sits on active farmland with limited parking nearby. Plan accordingly and allow extra time to find suitable parking in the area.
The castle walls display bullet marks from a British warship that fired practice shots during World War I from offshore. This unexpected wartime mark adds another layer of history that most visitors would overlook.
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