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Doonagore Castle: History, Parking + Viewpoints

Doonagore Castle: History, Parking + Viewpoints

Towering over Doolin Point from an impressive, elevated location, the 16th century Doonagore Castle is an impressive sight from both afar and up close.

Boasting a very dark history, Doolin Castle is used by boats as a navigational aid as they approach the nearby pier.

Although privately owned, the narrow tower house is well worth a visit, once you take note of the warnings below!

Some quick need-to-knows about Doonagore Castle

 

Unlike nearby Doolin Cave, a visit to Doonagore Castle isn’t that straightforward, as there’s 1, no parking and 2, no way to enter the castle.

Here are some quick-need-to-knows. Pay careful attention to the note about parking, as this can be dangerous. 

1. Location

You’ll find Doonagore Castle on a hill where it offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and out towards the Aran Islands. It’s a 3-minute drive from Fisher Street and it’ll take you 8 minutes to drive from the Cliffs of Moher.

2. If you’re walking

If you start from Fisher Street (the colourful shops), it’ll take you around 20 minutes to walk to the viewpoint. Please do note that the majority of the walk is up a steep incline, so good fitness is needed.

3. Parking (warning)

There’s no where to park at Doonagore Castle and, as it’s on a hill on a VERY BAD BEND. If you continue up the hill (away from the castle) you’ll find a tiny spot that fits one car (here on maps). Be careful when walking back towards the castle (the road is narrow).

 

4. A dark past

In 1588, a ship from the Spanish Armada sank near the coast at Doolin. The crew managed to make their way out of the wreck and over to Doolin Castle. Instead of room and board, they were hung… More on this below.

5. Not open to the public

Unfortunately, Doonagore Castle is privately owned, so you can’t have a look inside. This has sadly been the fate of many Irish castles. The land is private, so avoid trying to get up to the castle.

 

The dark history of Doolin Castle

Doonagore Castle

Photos via Shutterstock

Although the current Doolin Castle, which was constructed from sandstone, is believed to date from the mid 16th century, there was a castle on this site (or very close by) as far back as 1,300.

Like most of the many castles in Ireland, Doonagore passed through a number of hands over the years.

The early days

In its early days, the castle passed between two of the strongest clans in County Clare – the O’Brien’s and the O’Connor’s.

In 1570, the castle was owned by a member of the O’Brien clan, named Sir Donald O’Brien. 12 years later, in 1582, it was granted to a member of the O’Connor clan.

Not long after, in 1583, the tower house and its grounds were surrendered to the Crown and were granted to a lad named Turlough O’Brien from the village of Ennistymon.

 

Shipwreck and Murder

Here’s where the story of Doolin Castle gets a little bit mad. In 1588, a ship from the Spanish Armada got into difficulty off the coast of Doolin and crashed close to the castle.

170 of the ship’s crew managed to make their way out of the wreck. Sounds like a happy ending, right?

Yea, well, all was going to plan until the High Sheriff of County Clare arrived.

ALL of the survivors are believed to have been hung at the castle or at a site nearby that’s known as ‘Cnocán an Crochaire’ (AKA Hangman’s Hill).

 

Post-1641 Rebellion

After the Irish Rebellion of 1641, Doonagore Castle was granted to a fella named John Sarsfield as a result of the Cromwellian settlement.

If you’re not familiar with this, the Cromwellian settlement was introduced after the Rebellion.

It included a number of penalties (death and the forfeit of land) against those that had taken part in the Rebellion of 1641.

Many years later, in the 18th century, Doolin Castle was passed to a family called the ‘Gore’s’.

The castle had fallen into disrepair at this point and the Gores went about repairing much of it.

 

Current owners

By the mid-19th century, Doonagore Castle had yet again fallen into a state of disrepair.

Then a private buyer named John C. Gorman (an Irish-American) swooped in and bought it.

The castle was restored to much of its former glory in the 1970s by an architect named Percy Leclerc.

Fast-forward to 2024 and the castle is still owned by John C. Gorman’s family.

 

How best to see Doolin Tower

Doonagore

Photos by The Irish Road Trip

Unfortunately, you can’t access Doonagore Castle or its grounds as it’s privately owned and no form of tours take place at any point during the year.

I’ve been up to Doolin Tower a good few times over the years.

Here’s how best to see it:

  • From the hill leading up to it: You get a great view of the castle hovering over you, with the long, narrow road leading to it
  • From the road next to it: As you’ll see in the photos above, the tower is framed against the wild Atlantic
 

Things to do nearby

best things to do in Clare

 

So, there are plenty of things to do in Doolin and there are endless things to do in Clare nearby (see map above).

Here are some of my favourite nearby attractions, including the Burren National Park:

  1. Food in Doolin (3-minute drive): There are some great restaurants in Doolin and pubs in Doolin dishing up local grub
  2. Cliffs of Moher (8-minute drive): See them via the visitor centre or on the Doolin Cliff walk
  3. The Aran Islands (5-minute drive to ferry): Visit Inis Oirr, Inis Mor and Inis Meain
  4. Fanore Beach (30-minute drive): Of of Clare’s finest beaches
  5. Poulnabrone Dolmen (30-minute drive): A slice of ancient Ireland
  6. Father Ted’s House (35-minute drive): The house from the TV show
  7. Burren walks (start nearby): They vary from hard to handy
 

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