Donegal Castle

About the museum

Donegal Castle stands in the middle of Donegal town beside the River Eske. The O'Donnell chieftains built the tower house in the fifteenth century, and it was the stronghold of Red Hugh O'Donnell, who left it to seek help from Spain after the Battle of Kinsale in 1601. Before leaving he is said to have set the castle on fire so that it would not fall to the English.

In 1616 the English captain Sir Basil Brooke received the castle and added a manor house beside the tower as part of a large programme of improvements. He also commissioned the decorated chimney-piece with carved fruit and his coat of arms that is a notable feature of the building.

The complex fell into ruin during the twentieth century and was restored in the 1990s. It is now managed by the Office of Public Works as part of Heritage Ireland. A suite of information panels explains the history of the castle and its owners, and visitors can join a guided tour through the restored rooms.

Highlights

• Fifteenth-century O’Donnell tower house with a Jacobean manor house
• Carved chimney-piece with the arms of Sir Basil Brooke
• Restored rooms with information panels and a model of the castle
• Guided tours, open all year

Permanent exhibition

• Donegal Castle exhibition and guided tour – Information panels and displays in the restored tower house and manor house tell the story of the O’Donnell and Brooke families.

Operated by

Office of Public Works (Heritage Ireland)

Admission & discounts

The OPW Heritage Card gives free entry to OPW sites.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Heritage Ireland lists limited access to the castle and allows assistance dogs only. A social guide in PDF form helps first-time visitors, families and people with developmental and learning disabilities to prepare.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The castle is in the centre of Donegal town, on Castle Street close to the Diamond.

Amenities & dining

Toilets are available and card payments are accepted.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit