Doe Castle Archives - Wild Atlantic Camp

The tragic ballad of Doe Castle

Romantic Doe Castle Doe Castle is situated on a breathtakingly beautiful inlet of Sheephaven Bay in north west Donegal. It was the ancient seat of the Mac Sweeney Chiefs of Doe and has its own tragic romance and history. While Verona had Romeo and Juliet so Creeslough had its own star crossed lovers, Turlogh and Aileen. Their fateful story is told in the following song written last century by Níall Mac Giolla Brigde from Feymore, Creelsough. ~~~ Maolmurra - A Ballad of Doe Castle Wild are thy hills, O Donegal! that frowning darkly rise As if to greet the mist that falls upon them from the skies: Dark, dark thy hills, and darker still thy mountain torrents flow, Yet still more dark Maolmurra's heart in his Castle Hall at Doe. Fair are thy plains, O Donegal! and calm thy winding streams Flow gently by each hut and hall, beneath the bright sunbeams; But plain or stream, or meadow green, or flower upon the lea, Were not more mild than Maolmurra's child, so sweet and fair was she. Stout grows thy oak, O Donegal! and straight thy ashen tree, And swift and strong thy sons so tall, their country's pride to see; But oak or ash, or young men all, that sprung from Irish soil, Were not more stout, straight, swift and tall, than the chief of Clan O'Boyle. He was the pride of Faugher side, near the hills of Ballymore; For feats of strength none equaled him from Fanad to Gweedore: And he would go through frost and snow on the merry Christmas Day With ringing cheer to hunt the deer from his haunts in dark Glenveigh. And often in Doe Castle woods he'd hunt [...]

8 places to visit for free around Creeslough, NW Donegal

Donegal is known for its incredible scenery and much of the coastline around us is protected by Irish and European law as designated special areas of conservation. The whole of Horn Head to Fanad Head is an area of special protection. But you don't need a big budget to enjoy a holiday here. We've chosen 8 of our favourite places to visit for free around Creeslough to share with you. 1. Doe Castle Overlooking Sheephaven Bay this recently restored fortified castle dates from the 16th century and was home to the Clan Suibhne (MacSweeney clan). It has a tower, battlements and defensive walls surrounding a courtyard and is under a mile from the Wild Atlantic Camp site. It has a romantic history and is a place known for marriage proposals. You have been warned! Romantic Doe Castle 2. Ards Forest Park* This lovely Coillte managed Forest Park on the Ards peninsula is bordered by The Back Strand on the west and Doe Castle Strand on the east and covers 1,200 acres. The trails are well marked and take you through the forest of coniferous and deciduous trees as well as to sand dunes, salt water lakes, salt marshes and beaches. The remains of four ringforts can be found in the park as well as a number of megalithic tombs - legend has it that these were the beds of Diarmuid and Grainne in their flight from Fionn Mac Cumhaill. There is a children's playground near the main car park and a coffee cabin (open June to September). Ards Friary, on the east of the park, also has a car park (free) and coffee shop. You could easily spend a whole day here. See map [...]