Donegal Castle

What an amazing amount of history we found at Donegal Castle, right in the center of town about 10 minutes from the house we are staying in.

There are several parts to the castle. The oldest part was begun in 1474 and the newer part was done in the 1600’s. Then much of it was refurbished and updated in the 1800’s-1900’s and then again in recent years. Prior to this castle being built, archaeologists believe it was the site of a Viking stronghold from as early as 800. It’s perfectly situated on high ground above a bend in the river.

The walls in the older part of the castle are almost 4 feet thick.

The display in the store room.

This is Maggie and Thomas standing inside the fireplace of one of the halls. That’s a big fireplace!

The entryway to the newer part of the castle.

The kids insisted that the “guardarobe” picture be included (aka a potty with a wooden seat and a hole leading down to a cesspit below the castle…yuck!)

These very narrow stairs were purposely built unevenly to give the residents the upper hand if invaders ever made it inside the walls.

The Great Hall on the second floor, recently refurbished and so beautiful!

The stone fireplace in the Great Hall

Nora and the other little kids were given a paper with photos on it as a treasure hunt activity in the castle. With a little sibling help, she found them all. Some of them were pretty tricky!

Some of the most important books of Irish history were written and preserved by monks from this part of Donegal (the history seemed to indicate that this mural was included because the family that owned Donegal Castle, the O’Donnells, was instrumental in commissioning this work as a way of preserving some of their family history).

Our very own Game of Thrones

To end our historic tour of the Donegal Castle, we arrived home to clearing skies and another rainbow over the bay.