Doonagore Castle is a 16th century castle located on a hill in County Clare, Ireland. The castle was granted to Sir Turlough O’Brien of Ennistymon in 1582, and during the retreat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, one of the fleeing Spanish ships was shipwrecked off the coast and 170 survivors were captured and hanged at Doonagore Castle. The castle had started to fall into disrepair by the early 1800s, but it was repaired by Counselor Gore. Today, Doonagore Castle is privately owned. Who owns Doonagore Castle Today, it is privately owned by the O’Loughlin family.
The history of Doonagore castle
Doonagore Castle has a long and complex history that spans centuries. Its origins date back to the 1300s, when an earlier castle stood on the hill between Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Ireland. In 1582, the castle was granted to Sir Turlough O’Brien of Ennistymon, and in 1588 during the Spanish Armada, a fleeing Spanish ship was shipwrecked off the coast and 170 survivors were captured and hanged at Doonagore Castle. By the early 1800s, however, the castle had started to fall into disrepair – until Counselor Gore repaired it. Today, Doonagore Castle is privately owned.
Who owns Doonagore castle?
Today, Doonagore Castle is privately owned by the O’Loughlin family, who purchased the castle in 1938. They have been restoring and maintaining the castle ever since – making sure that its long and fascinating history has not been forgotten. The castle still bears some of its original features; its stone walls remain strong despite centuries of wear and tear, and the crenellations are still visible on the top of the tower.
Why was Doonagore Castle built?
Doonagore Castle was built in the 16th century, although an earlier castle stood on the site since the 1300s. The castle was granted to Sir Turlough O’Brien of Ennistymon in 1582. During the retreat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, one of the fleeing Spanish ships was shipwrecked off the coast and 170 were captured and hanged at Doonagore Castle. The castle had started to fall into disrepair by the early 1800s, and was repaired by Counselor Gore, but it is now a popular tourist attraction. Unfortunately it is not open to the public and is privately owned.
Things to do near Doonagore Castle
There is much to do near Doonagore Castle! It sits atop a hill overlooking the beautiful County Clare coastline, so visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. The castle itself is privately owned and not open to the public, but there are plenty of other attractions in the area that make for an enjoyable day trip.
Visitors can explore the nearby Cliffs of Moher, take a boat tour from Doolin Pier, visit the Ailwee Cave or indulge in some shopping and dining at the harbor town of Lahinch. No matter what you do near Doonagore Castle, it’s sure to be a memorable experience!
Learn more about Inverness Castle and why it is famous
Why Is The Cliffs of Moher Famous?
When was Doonagore Castle Ireland Built?