18. SVT Donamon Castle

PULL OVER #5 Donamon Castle         Location: 53.631712, -8.318195 Donamon Castle is one of the oldest inhabited buildings in Ireland. There was a fort here from early times, but the first recorded reference is in the Annals of the Four Masters for the year 1154. It was the seat of the O'Finnaghys, the Chiefs of Clan Conway, who held the land for miles around. In 1232, Adam de Staunton, a Norman Knight, improved the buildings, but they were demolished by the O'Connors the following year. The rebuilt Castle was occupied in 1294 by de Oddingseles. He died the following year. The de Birminghams then took over but it was again destroyed by the O'Connors. 1307 saw the last of the O'Finaghys and the first of the Burkes. The McDavid Burkes occupied it for the next 300 years.