(Sobhairce's
fort.)
Dunseverick Castle is thought to be one of
the three great Dun's (Royal forts)
which were visited by St
Patrick in the 5th century, where he baptized a local man Olcan,
who later became the Bishop of Armoy, he died in 480 AD. It was
the capital of the Kingdom of Dal Riada. The Vikings captured it
in AD 871. All that is to be seen today are the remains of the 16th
century tower, the castle has been the focus of struggles between
the warring families in the area the MacDonnells, O'Cahans, O'Neill's
and the MacQuillans.
The O'Cahan's are the main local family associated
with Dunseverick Castle, they are thought to have held it from circa
1000 AD to circa 1320 AD. Giolla Dubh Ó Catháin was
in all probability the castle owner when it was captured and destroyed
in the 1650's by Cromwell's forces commanded by General Robert Munro.
The castle is associated with one of Irelands
oldest tragic love stories. 'Deirdre and the fate sons of Uisneach'.
Cathbad the Druid foretold before the birth of Deirdre, that her
beauty would bring disaster upon the Province of Ulster.
The Annals of the Four Masters, states that
Dun-Sobhairce was among the first fortresses erected in this island
by the Milesians. The Annals of the For Masters also relate that
Dun-Sobhairce was plundered by the Danes in 994.
In 1962 the owner of Dunseverick
Castle local farmer Mr Jack McCurdy gave the castle and surrounding
land to The National Trust. Time took its toll in 1978 when part
of the last remaining tower collapsed into the sea. |
