Castledonovan Castle

Once the home of the O'Donovan Clan

Notice

Castledonovan Castle is a National Monument in state guardianship

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Castledonovan Castle

Castledonovan castle sits on top of a rocky outcrop overlooking the Ilen River, six km north of Drimoleague. Castledonovan is a typical Irish tower house, rectangular and has four storeys. It was only after the re-granting of the tower house to the O’Donovan’s in 1615 by James II that it became known as Castledonovan. Prior to 1615, the tower house was originally named Sowagh.

Built circa 1560 by Daniel O’Donovan (Dónall na gcroiceann) – Daniel of the skins/hides as he was known, because he was wrapped in skins by his mother to hide him from enemies – Castledonovan was the principal seat of the clan. In the early 17^th century the clan had moved to Rahine Manor. Tradition has it that Cromwell and his soldiers blew up the tower for the O’Donovan’s involvement in the 1641 rebellion and it remained uninhabited since.

The tower house’s four storeys are accessed by a corner spiral stone stairs. The ground floor chamber has typical light embrasures. Fireplaces are found in all of the upper chambers, with the third floor boasting a square-headed window with mullion and transom division. Two bartizans cover the north-east and south-west corners, with a further bartizan remaining at the south-west corner and a machicolation over the main doorway.

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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014