Doe Castle, a stronghold of the MacSweeney Clan for almost 200 years, sits on the waterline of Sheephaven Bay on The Wild Atlantic Way off the R245 between Carrigart and Creeslough, Co. Donegal.
The Mac Sweeneys, who originally came from Scotland as Gallowglasses or Gallóglaigh mercenaries, became known as Clan tSuibhne na dTuath or Sweeneys of the Territory. The castle became Caislean na dTuath, anglicised as Doe Castle. There were at least thirteen Mac Sweeney chiefs.
The castle tower is believed to have been built in the 1420s; the bawn walls and two storey hall beside the tower in the 1620s.Take a wander around the castle and its grounds. Doe castle is considered one of the best examples of how a ‘working castle’ would historically operate.
