Rory and Cathbharr O'Donnell

Donegal Castle, seat of the O'Donnells

Donegal Castle was built in 1474 by Aodh Rua O'Donnell, great-grandfather of Red Hugh. It was built of granite, limestone and sandstone. The mortar used was a mixture of sand, lime, horse hair and animal blood. The blood was supplied by the people of Tir Chonaill, who drew it from their livestock. In the C17, the castle was granted to Captain Basil Brooke, an English soldier, and he had it repaired and extended. The O'Donnell Tower, on the right, was fully restored and opened to visitors in 1966.

Donegal County Archives. Donegal Education Centre

Donegal Castle, seat of the O'Donnells
Donegal County Archives. Donegal Education Centre

Donegal Castle, seat of the O'Donnells

Donegal Castle was built in 1474 by Aodh Rua O'Donnell, great-grandfather of Red Hugh. It was built of granite, limestone and sandstone. The mortar used was a mixture of sand, lime, horse hair and animal blood. The blood was supplied by the people of Tir Chonaill, who drew it from their livestock. In the C17, the castle was granted to Captain Basil Brooke, an English soldier, and he had it repaired and extended. The O'Donnell Tower, on the right, was fully restored and opened to visitors in 1966.

Donegal County Archives. Donegal Education Centre

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Rory O'Donnell

First Earl of Tyrconnell and last Chieftain of the O'Donnell's. Born in 1575 he was one of nine children. The younger brother of the famous Red Hugh O'Donnell he became Chieftain of Tyrconnell after his brother's death in Spain in 1602.

Rory took part in many of the battles of the Nine Years War and was at the Battle of Kinsale. He was awarded a pardon from King James I for his part in the rebellion and was knighted as Earl of Tyrconnell. He married Brigit Fitzgerald, the daughter of the Earl of Kildare shortly after, to whom he had three children.

Rory left with his fellow Earls in 1607. In his haste he left his pregnant wife behind who had been visiting relatives in Kildare. He was given refuge in Rome but died in 1608. He is buried alongside O'Neill at the altar of the Franciscan Church of St Peter in Montero in Rome.

Cathbharr O'Donnell

Rory's younger brother was married to Rose Doherty of Inishowen. They had been married when Rose was just 14 years of age and had two sons, Hugh and Conn. Hugh, who was only two years of age, travelled with his father and mother to the continent but Conn was left behind in Ireland. Cathbharr went to Rome with his brother Rory. He was dead within a week of Rory in 1608 at the age of 25.