Castle Donovan, an historic slice of real estate, can be yours for just €200,000
Castle Donovan
A BROODING ruin with an intriguing backstory sounds just the ticket for Irish Americans yearning for a piece of the old sod — particularly those who bear the surname Donovan or O’Donovan.
Castle Donovan in Drimoleague has as much drama attached to it as a Hilary Mantel historical novel.
As Gaeilge, Caisleán Uí Dhonnabháin refers to the remains of an Irish tower house or túrtheach, the principal seat of the Clann Cathail sept of the O’Donovans for part of the 16th century. Those in the know advise that its original name — when the O’Donovan’s were living there — was Sowagh/Sooagh/Suagh — and that the name Castle Donovan only came about after the tower was regranted to the clan c 1612, having been surrendered to British overlords in 1592.
Historical accounts estimate the castle was built around 1560 by Dónall na gCroiceann/Dónal of the Hides (craiceann, meaning skin, in this case, animal skins, which his mother wrapped him in as an infant to conceal him from his enemies). After his death in 1584, his son Dónal II O’Donovan repaired/altered the structure some decades later, but is not believed to have not been lived in by then, as the family had relocated to the coast to protect their maritime interests.
The tower was severely damaged by Oliver Cromwell’s soldiers in the late 1640s, in retaliation for Donal III O’Donovan support for Cromwell’s enemies and for his involvement in the Irish rebellion of 1641. Accounts say the attack left only a small gouge in the southwest corner, but caused huge cracks in the masonry, leaving the structure unsafe.
In 1936, the entire western wall — excluding the still intact spiral staircase — and majority of the southern wall collapsed.
At an O’Donovan Clan gathering in 2000, a commitment was made by the government to commence repair of the castle. It underwent conservation by the Office of Public Works between 2001 and 2014 and is now a listed National Monument.
Associated with enough theatre to fuel talk through a century of clan gatherings, the circa 60ft high castle, built on a rock on the east bank of the River Ilen, is already attracting interest from the US.
Selling agent David Busteed of Sherry FitzGerald Brennan Busteed says he’s fielding enquires “from Donovans and O’Donovans in America”.
What a buyer could do with the castle other than help preserve its legacy will require further investigation. Inspiration could be taken from Kilcoe Castle near Ballydehob, a 15th-century tower uninhabited for centuries before being rescued and made into a private residence by actor Jeremy Irons.
Restored Belvelly Castle near Cobh is another example of what can be done.
With an asking price of €200,000, Mr Busteed reckons an Irish American with deep pockets and a Donovan/O’Donovan allegiance would love the romance of owning an Irish castle. Or a consortium might buy it, as a site for clan gatherings.
The castle is near the village of Drimoleague, which is between the towns of Dunmanway and Bantry. The area is close to popular walkways, eg Drimoleague Heritage Walkways, and the eastern stretches of Sheep’s Head Way.
A chance to make a castle in the air a reality.
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