Doe Castle in Sheapheaven Bay
A Short History of Doe Castle, The castle
was built in the 15th century. Sometimes the date given is 1425.The
first or early occupants were the Mac-Sweeney's. the Castle remained
in their possession for about 200 years. The Mac-Sweeneys ruled the
area's of Rosguill (now Downing's & Carrigart). Doe (now Creeslough
& Dunfanaghy) Cloughaneely (now Falcarragh ) and Tory Island, from
Doe Castle.
Sir Cahir O'Doherty had his headquarters here when he
attack Derry 1608. The Mac Sweeneys are back by 1641 and Eoghan Rua O'Neill landed at Doe Castle on 6th July
1642 on his return fron Spain. Around 1660 an English garrison take
possession of the castle but by the 1690's the Mac Sweeneys are back.
The
Castle changed hands many times over the years. One of the owners: George
Vaghan Harte who bought the castle in 1800 left his initials (GVH) embedded
on the wall above the door of the eastern entrance.
The Castle was occupied up until 1909. In 1932 the Irish
Land Commission (Office of Public Works) bought the Castle and vested it as a National Monument.
The work to restore the castle to it former glory is ongoing, Many legends and stories are told
about the castle and the people that lived there.
Legends and Stories.
The tragic romance of Turlough
& Aileen.
Aileen was the fair and sweet daughter of Maolmhuire of
Doe. Turlough was an O'Boyle from Ballymore. Turlough often
went hunting deer in Duntally woods. It was there he first met
sweet Aileen of Doe. The O'Boyle's and the MacSweeney's hated
each other, but Aileen and Turlough were very much in love. When
Malomhuire heard of the attachment , he was furious and confined Aileen
to the top room in the Castle Tower. Turlough would often go fishing
on the Lackagh River in the hope of seeing Aileen. While he was
out fishing the MacSweeney's captured him and took him back to the Castle.
One night Aileen looked out the window and to her horror saw the dead
body of her beloved Turlough being prepared for burial. At the
sight Aileen jumped from the tower to her death. To this day the
ghost of Turlough and Aileen rowing their boat on Lackagh River can
still be seen.
