Castle Donovan, Near Drimoleague : from "Castles in County Cork", Vol. 03, no. 07 : graphic

Castles Ireland Cork (County).

Tower-Houses Ireland Cork (County).

Cork (County) History.

Transcript of text: - Page 01. CASTLE DONOVAN. Near Drimoleague. Smith. Vol.I. p.286. Seated amongst the mountains. - Lewis. Vol.I. p.505. Built by the head of the O'Donovan family in the reign of Henry IV. (1399-1415) It is a lofty square tower with some other portions of the castle. Collins, who wrote a History of the O'Donovans, says that it was built by Donnell O'Donovan, Chief of Clancahill, in 1560. - Cork Journal. 1922. p.63. Windele says that it is a tall square Keep with crenellated battlements, and bartizans at the angles. It is built on a low rock, is vaulted within, and has a spiral stairs. Over the vault is the stateroom. High gables remain. There are rents in the walls, and the outworks are very dilapidated. Crom O'Donovan was slain in 1254, his son Cahill was probably the builder of this castle. Donell O'Donovan's son forfeited the property in 1641, and it was granted to Lieut. Evanson. Dr Donovan describes it in "Sketches in Carbery". 1876. The walls were then standing, the rents in them were caused by gunpowder used by the Cromwellians. It stands on a rock, has walls 6ft thick, a spiral stairs leads to the top. The entrance is a Gothic limestone arch, skilfully cut. There was a massive door on strong hinges, since removed. There is a broad balcony on top. Near the walls of the central tower are the ruins of a bake house. At Barnafulla, "the Gap of Blood" there was a battle between the O'Donovans and the O'Sullivans. Windele speaks of the "murdering glen". - - Page 02. Castle Donovan. - In 1650 it was attacked by one of Cromwell's generals and the garrison left it. In the N. wall is said to be an inscribed stone. 1626 D.O.D. this probably indicates the date of some restorations. Cork Journal. 1930 . p.99. - The old name is Sowagh. There is a tale that the O'Donovans hanged a woman in one of the upper rooms, and that ever since water drips in the castle. It was built in 1580. Cork Journal. 1931. p.38. - Photo. Catherine Forde was the woman who was han

Healy, James N. James Nagle, 1916-1993.

24/09/2012

1936

Cork County Library

Reproduction rights reserved.

2 photographic prints. Digital Image graphic

570492