On the banks of the River Eske stands the home of a well-known Donegal clan, the O’Donnells. The site of the castle itself is believed to have been settled by the Norsemen in the 10th century, and there is evidence of an early Neolithic settlement from a thousand years before that. The existing castle is comprised of two sections, the original Norman-style tower house built by the first Red Hugh O’Donnell c 1470, and the extension added by Sir Basil Brooke after 1610. From the 12th century and lasting for 400 years, the House of O’Donnell ruled over the Kingdom of Tir Chonaill (now County Donegal) from this stronghold. The tower house built by the first Red Hugh is all that remains from this era, as the castle was razed to the ground by the second Red Hugh in the early 1600’s to keep it from falling into English hands. The gabled extension was built by Brooke when he became the new landlord of the town after the defeat of the Irish chieftains in the Nine Years’ War ( 1594- 1603). Guests hosted in the great hall could take in the view from the bay window while warming themselves at the splendid Jacobean fireplace which is still adorned with Brooke’s own coat of arms. Together the original tower built by O’Donnell and the extensions added by Brooke form a formidable and beautiful castle, one of the few from its period which exists intact. The Castle has recently been renovated and is furnished throughout and includes Persian rugs and French tapestries. Information panels chronicle the history of the Castle owners from the O’Donnell chieftains to the Brooke family. Donegal Castle is open daily from mid-June to October. This rendering depicts the Castle as it appeared in the early 1900’s. Size 15.5 x 15.5 inches double matted LIMITED EDITION Signed & numbered. Ross Castle, Killarney, Ireland Print
