Drumboe Castle

Drumboe Castle was a 17th century fortress with four large towers that guarded a ford crossing the River Finn at the edge of Stranorlar. A Georgian house later replaced the original structure before demolition in 1945, leaving only ruins behind.

Sir Ralph Bingley built the original castle in 1622 after acquiring the Ballybofey estate during the Plantation of Ulster. The site later became associated with an execution of four anti-Treaty fighters during the Irish Civil War in 1923.

The Hayes family made their home here from 1789 to 1912, with several members holding important political positions. The castle served as a seat of local prominence during that period.

The site is accessible today as ruins on the outskirts of Stranorlar, making it easy to locate and visit. What remains is fragmentary stonework, so expect to see only partial walls and foundations rather than a complete building.

The castle is remembered less for architectural grandeur and more for its tragic role as a site of violence during a period of political turmoil. The way locals reference this place reflects its weight in regional memory and the events that marked it.

Location: County Donegal

GPS coordinates: 54.80149,-7.78909

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:08