Doonamona Castle and the surrounding acreage have been central to the history of south Mayo for centuries. Although Doonamona is referred to as a castle, it was actually built by the Normans as an ‘Irish Tower House.’ The castle was called “10-pound castle” when it was built– because a grant of 10 pounds was given towards its creation (Michigan State University, 2009).
In the early part of the 15th Century, the castle was occupied by the O’Kelly’s of Ui Maine for a short time before being sold back to the Bourkes in the middle part of the 15th Century. Henry Reagh O’Kelly, head of the Clann an Airchinnigh, settled in Carra in his time (Michigan State University, 2009).
By 1574, Doonamona castle was owned by the De Burgo clan—better known as the Burkes. It is said that during the time that the Burkes owned the castle, Seamus Bourke would write to Queen Elizabeth from the castle itself. Doonamona remained in the control of the Burkes until it was taken over by Bingham– who was known at the time as the Black Tyrant of Connaught. (It is also said that Bingham was the person to hire the infamous priest hunter Sean na Sagart) (Michigan State University, 2009).
Doonamona is famous for being the spot where the ‘Indenture of Mayo’ was signed in the late 1580’s. This was after a majority of Mayo Chieftains submitted to Bingham’s authority. Justin McDonnell, chief of Clandonnell Gallowglass and William Bourke, known as the Blind Abbott were among the first to submit. Bingham hanged Justin a year after that for his role in sheltering Spaniards who were shipwrecked in Ballycroy, which is on the west coast of Co. Mayo. According to local lore, twelve men have been hanged in Doonamona Castle (Michigan State University, 2009).
Noelene Beckett Crowe (2021) writes that, “In O ‘Donovan’s Letters of 1838 the following account was provided that ‘In this parish stands in ruins the castles of Doonamona (Dun Na Mona) and Gwesdian, (pronounced Gweeshadan) which we find recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters at the year AD 1592, as having, together with other castles, been taken possession of the governor Sir Richard Bingham.’” Beckett Crowe goes on to write, “Also, it [is] recorded that ‘Those Bourkes who were leagued with the Mac Williams aided by all their adherents, took up arms to defend themselves, of which the governor, Sir Richard Bingham, had no sooner heard, than he proceeded into the County of Mayo and took possession of all the towns, whether uninjured or ruined, that were in the country, namely, Dun Na Mona, Cuil Na gCaiseal, Gaoisdeach and Cluainin.’”
Lastly, Beckett Crowe (2021) writes, “The Bourke’s attacked the governor at Cuil na gCaiseal but they encountered severe injuries. One of the last to submit to Bingham was Edmond De Burgo of Castlebar or ‘Eamonn na Feasoige,’ with disastrous results of a trumped-up charge held at Donomona that unfortunately led to his execution. Bingham confiscated the castle with the Castlebar estate. ([Source] Brian Hoban: later updated during October 2005 by Heather & Corine Kelly).”
Doonamona Castle, in addition to being a tower house, has several other interesting architectural and archaeological features. At about 3 metres height up on the north west wall, there is a small box, which is apparently a cupboard, however it is now reduced to being a nesting place for migrating birds. There are also flat, rectangular stones that jut out of the inside walls of the castle—suggesting that stairs going up to stories above were once present. There is also a large hole at the top of the remaining wall of the castle which was caused by a cannon ball fired by the French toward the British in 1798 (Michigan State University, 2009).
Tuffy’s Pub, which is located across from Doonamona Castle, has in its possession a picture that was taken shortly after this time (in the 1800’s) and the hole from the cannon ball is visible in the upper right-hand corner of the castle wall (Michigan State University, 2009).
References:
- Beckett Crowe, N. (2021). Donomona Castle / Clogher House Ruins. Available at: https://www.ouririshheritage.org/content/archive/place/miscellaneous-place/donomona-castle-ruins Accessed on 19th of December, 2023.
- Mayo-Ireland (2023) by Hoban, B. (updated by Kelly, C. and Kelly, H. in 2005). Donomona Castle, Clogher in Co. Mayo. Available at: https://www.mayo-ireland.ie/en/towns-villages/clogher/history/donomona-castle.html Accessed 19th of December, 2023.
- Michigan State University, Study Abroad Programme. (2009). Doonamona Castle. Internal Report: Folder 2, Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail—Clogher Environmental Group Ltd. Unpublished.