Clan Rising
Drumboe Castle today

Ireland · Demolished

Drumboe Castle

Drumboe Castle was an early 17th-century fortified residence erected during the Plantation of Ulster on the outskirts of Stranorlar, County Donegal. The original building was noted for having four large towers and occupied a riverside position guarding a ford on the River Finn; the site later contained a Georgian house and was demolished in 1945.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1622

Today

Demolished

As it stood in 1622

What Drumboe Castle looked like in its prime.

Sited at the ford of the River Finn on the edge of Stranorlar, the castle's prime silhouette is defined by four large towers rising directly from the riverside. The four tower masses are the primary vertical elements against a low river plain, their full heights visible from both banks; the building presents as a complete fortified residence at the water's edge and is intact in this phase.

Its story

The story of Drumboe Castle.

Drumboe Castle stood on the outskirts of Stranorlar in County Donegal, an early 17th-century fortified residence of the Plantation of Ulster, noted for its four large towers and a riverside position guarding a ford on the River Finn. In 1622 Robert Redington sold the estate at Ballybofey to Sir Ralph Bingley; after Bingley's death his widow Lady Jane and Robert Harrington took charge until 1641, when it was granted to Sir William Bazil, Attorney-General for Ireland.

Bazil's daughter Mary married Sir Samuel Hayes, 1st Baronet, and through that marriage Drumboe became the home of the Hayes baronets of Drumboe Castle from 1789 to 1912.

On 14 March 1923 four anti-Treaty IRA fighters, Charles Daly, Sean Larkin, Daniel Enwright and Timothy O'Sullivan, captured and held in the castle since January, were summarily shot there in retaliation for the death of a National Army soldier in an ambush. The Georgian house that had come to occupy the site was demolished in 1945.

Step inside

3 places to explore in 1622.

The record describes 3 distinct spots at Drumboe Castle, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach across the River Finn fordView from the opposite riverbankTop of one of the large towers

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Recreate Drumboe Castle with AI to explore it.

The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1622, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Whose castle

Clans who held Drumboe Castle.

The families that held Drumboe Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Bingley

    Sir Ralph Bingley bought the estate in 1622; his widow Lady Jane held charge until 1641.

  • Bazil

    Granted to Sir William Bazil, Attorney-General for Ireland, in 1641; his daughter Mary carried it to the Hayes by marriage.

  • Hayes

    Home of the Hayes baronets of Drumboe Castle, 1789–1912.

Questions about Drumboe Castle

What is the history of Drumboe Castle?

Drumboe Castle was an early 17th-century fortified residence built during the Plantation of Ulster. Sir Ralph Bingley acquired the estate in 1622, and the castle later passed to Sir William Bazil in 1641. Through Mary Basil’s marriage to Sir Samuel Hayes, it became home to the Hayes baronets from 1789 to 1912. Four anti-Treaty IRA fighters were shot there on 14 March 1923.

Why was Drumboe Castle built, and what was it used for?

Drumboe Castle was built as a fortified residence guarding a ford across the River Finn. Its position protected the river crossing, while its four large towers formed part of the defensive residence. The site later contained a Georgian house, which was demolished in 1945.

Where is Drumboe Castle?

Drumboe Castle was on the outskirts of Stranorlar in County Donegal. It stood beside the River Finn, at a ford on the river. County Donegal is the administrative area in which it is located.

When was Drumboe Castle built?

Drumboe Castle was built in 1622, in the early 17th century. The castle was erected during the Plantation of Ulster after Robert Redington sold the estate at Ballybofey to Sir Ralph Bingley. Its original form had four large towers.

Which family or clan held Drumboe Castle?

The Bingley, Bazil and Hayes families held Drumboe Castle. Sir Ralph Bingley bought the estate in 1622, and his widow Lady Jane held charge until 1641. It was then granted to Sir William Bazil; through his daughter Mary’s marriage, it became home to the Hayes baronets from 1789 to 1912.

What did Drumboe Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Drumboe Castle presented as a complete fortified residence with four large towers rising directly from the riverside. The towers were the main vertical elements against the low river plain, with their full heights visible from both riverbanks. It stood at the water’s edge by the River Finn ford.

Is Drumboe Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Drumboe Castle was demolished in 1945 and is not still standing. The Georgian house that occupied the site was demolished in that year. The original castle had been an early 17th-century building with four large towers.

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