Hilltop enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Burt Castle (DG046-015-): The earliest known reference to this castle is in a grant of lands to Sir John O'Doherty in 1587. The 1601 view (Davies and Swan 1939, 190) depicts it at its fullest extent and the accompanying description records 'the strong castle of Burt O'Doghertes chief holde, nowe in possession of one Hugh Boye (O Doherty), seated on the top of a hill, with a thick rampier, two casemates and 5 peeces of artillery . . . this hill is almost compassed with the sea, save on one side, and there is a bogg'. It was occupied by English forces in 1601-2, but on the reestablishment of peace was regranted to Cahir O'Doherty. When he revolted the castle was captured in 1608 and after the Plantation, the estate was leased to Thomas Chichester, who in 1611, 'hath rebuylded Byrte Castle, and errected a large house of stone within the bawne and two houses of timber without the bawne'. It was subsequently granted to Sir Charles Chichester and was probably still inhabited as late as 1690. Some parts of the castle had been demolished in the early 19th century; it was roofless in 1833 and many of the windows were destroyed c. 1890 (Davies and Swan 1939, 188-9; Hunter 1975, 82). Situated on the top of an isolated hill, it was surrounded by Lough Swilly on the W, S and E and by a bog on the N; much of this land and sea has been reclaimed. The top of the hill was enclosed by a rampart and external fosse (DG046-015002-); the latter, which was of 'extraordinary dimensions' in 1833 (McLoughlin, 1833-4, 92) and could still be traced in 1938 (Davies and Swan 1939, 190), has been almost completely ploughed out and is visible now only as a slight depression. The small stretch of bank which is incorporated in modern field walls to the SW of the keep might be the remains of the original enclosing rampart.

The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated.

Date of upload/revision: 17 November 2011