Donegal Castle
Donegal Castle
4
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
This 15th-century castle was fully restored in 1996.
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See what travellers are saying
- KarenM1_101,043 contributionsJust okayWe came here with our tour group. We had a 30-minute tour, and the guide was very informative. You need a guided tour or be sure to rent an audio guide if they have one. I don’t think we would have learned anything if we toured on our own since there isn’t an overwhelming amount to see.Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 October 2023
- mariaB76Burnfoot, Ireland79 contributionsImportant piece of Donegal history nicely restored.This Castle has been beautifully restored. I love that they have left part of the 16th Century addition open so you can see the construction rather than trying to rebuild it. Lots of information is provided, both in the information sheets and the exhibits but I especially enjoyed the models so I could better visualise how the castle changed over time. A special mention to the staff who were very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 19 July 2024
- L SCheltenham, United Kingdom59 contributionsA must to see when in DonegalVisited Donegal castle. An interesting place steeped in history. Lots to see. Very reasonable to get in and you can either view yourself or have a free tour. Staff very friendly. Toilets available. Lots of steps, but easy to access.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 August 2024
- Sarah V18 contributionsSurprise stopTop class. Very accommodating. My group loved it. Singing, exploring and all at a moment's notice. The entire group arrived in the afternoon and the tour guide was so kind. They had short staff but made our stop memorable. Thank you. We'll be back!Visited August 2024Travelled on businessWritten 18 August 2024
- RoseKCork, Ireland51 contributionsBeautiful restored castle full of interesting history.We visited on a very wet August day and thoroughly enjoyed our visit. You are given an informative booklet on entry for a self-guided tour of this impressively restored castle. History and old photos adorn the walls and it is so interesting to read about the old Irish history. The roof , lovingly restored shows off the fine craftsmanship needed in the detailed wooden structure. A visit is highly recommended!Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 August 2024
- HonestMaChicago, Illinois117 contributionsAncient and Spurs ImaginationAncient castle, restored. History is fascinating. Loved the circular stairwell, stunning fireplace, oak rafters, original cobblestone floor, Jacobean dining table set, and wall tapestries. It is not a long visit, but includes enough information for one to imagine what it was like to construct and live in such an amazing place.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 31 August 2024
- ChroniclesofKristyFort Collins, Colorado60 contributionsFun Place for a Quick Explore!!This was a smaller castle to check out, but incredible. Yes it’s worth a stop. May be tough to park. I paid at a pay and park near the visitor center. Not too far of a walk either. You have plenty of chances to pop into shops! There is a fee to enter for adults it was 5 euro.Visited September 2024Travelled soloWritten 5 September 2024
- nohassle1956369 contributionsNice stop in DonegalMy wife and I visited the castle today. We parked on the street 1 euro for 2 hours. The entrance fee to the castle is 5 euros per person. Very nice inside and outside. Lots of history. There are boards inside describing the history. The castle is right in town. When we left we went and got ice cream and a scone. Good way to spend 2 hours.Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 September 2024
- RC30319Atlanta, Georgia1,367 contributionsInteresting hour to spendWe made a quick detour to spend half a day in Donegal, which is a delightful town. The Castle is basically in the city center and easy to access. It's not huge so you can see it all in about 30-60 min depending on how much time you spend reading the displays about the history, which we found to be very interesting. Well worth a stop over.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
1,234 reviews
Excellent
506
Very good
513
Average
186
Poor
20
Terrible
10
mary j
County Dublin, Ireland18 contributions
Jan 2022 • Friends
Due to covid restrictions we were left to see this castle on our own. We were given an information sheet. It's a small castle but beautifully kept and had a very interesting past. We really enjoyed wandering around reading all the information posted around the artifacts on view. We would highly recommend a visit.
Written 15 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David D
1,212 contributions
Apr 2022
Originally a castle of the O’Donnell family, this small, but well-fortified castle, was taken over by an English lord after the Flight of the Earls and was transformed into a more stately home. The castle itself has been restored and for a small fee you can enter and do a nice self-guided tour. It’s not the biggest castle in Ireland, but it is a pleasant place and worth a visit.
Written 2 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon N
Glasgow, UK73 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Lovely, small castle. Architecture was stunning, with plenty of noticeboards with more information about specific parts. I found the window frames particularly interesting as most of our Scottish castles were built before glass was used so clearly the O'Donnell's/ Brookes were ahead of their time! Toilets were perfectly clean and it's well worth a visit.
Written 28 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marvin G
Ogdensburg, NY1,493 contributions
Jul 2022
Hugh O’Donnell built a castle on the banks of the Eske River in the 1400’s. After the battle of Kinsdale, he set the castle on fire hoping to destroy it completely. This did not happen and Lord Basil Brooke took it over in 1616 and built a manor house next to the old tower. The fireplace and chimney was decorated with the family coat of arms and various fruits. The complex is now part of the Irish Heritage collection and has been partially restored in the 1990’s.
While the building and grounds are beautiful, there is an even greater story to tell. The potato famine was a terrible tragedy for the Irish people as was the "Long March" or "March of Tears" for the American Indians of the S.E. United States. The Choctaw Indians who were forcibly moved to reservations in Oklahoma, raised funds to send food to starving Irish peasants. In memory of this deed a sculpture of eagle feathers is sited on the grounds of Donegal Castle. There is an oil painting in the dining/living area of the castle noting this connection as well.
While the building and grounds are beautiful, there is an even greater story to tell. The potato famine was a terrible tragedy for the Irish people as was the "Long March" or "March of Tears" for the American Indians of the S.E. United States. The Choctaw Indians who were forcibly moved to reservations in Oklahoma, raised funds to send food to starving Irish peasants. In memory of this deed a sculpture of eagle feathers is sited on the grounds of Donegal Castle. There is an oil painting in the dining/living area of the castle noting this connection as well.
Written 1 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrsWYN-R
North Yorkshire, UK3,399 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Donegal a quaint county town. Had a couple of hours to spare on a day tour, plenty of cafes and tearooms and some nice shops was not expecting a castle! Part restored in the 90s, an interesting hour. Paid to get in and with an information sheet wandered around the inside without a guide, learnt about some Irish history. No tearoom or shop as such and not vast, will not take long yet worth a look. An interesting visit.
Written 3 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChroniclesofKristy
Fort Collins, CO60 contributions
Sept 2024 • Solo
This was a smaller castle to check out, but incredible. Yes it’s worth a stop. May be tough to park. I paid at a pay and park near the visitor center. Not too far of a walk either. You have plenty of chances to pop into shops! There is a fee to enter for adults it was 5 euro.
Written 5 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christa G
27 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
This was my favorite castle I visited. For a small town castle, it was great. You take it at your own pace, it was not crowded, and we learned a lot. I loved that the castle was finished inside so you could get a glimpse of what life was like there. In other words, it was not just a ruin. Thank you for keeping up Donegal castle. I have fond memories, and recommend it for anyone. We had a three year old with us and he loved it.
Written 22 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
victoria B
Lincolnshire, UK587 contributions
Jun 2022
Situated in a picturesque spot near the river, right in the centre of Donegal.
The ruins of an English style manor house are within the walls and the interior of the keep is displayed as it may have looked in the early seventeenth century.
The keep contains a wonderfully elaborate fire surround put in by Sir Basil Brooke who was sent by Elizabeth 1 to help oversee the planation of Ulster. It was Sir Basil who rebuilt the castle to incorporate an English style manor house.
The ruins of an English style manor house are within the walls and the interior of the keep is displayed as it may have looked in the early seventeenth century.
The keep contains a wonderfully elaborate fire surround put in by Sir Basil Brooke who was sent by Elizabeth 1 to help oversee the planation of Ulster. It was Sir Basil who rebuilt the castle to incorporate an English style manor house.
Written 30 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RoseK
Cork, Ireland51 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
We visited on a very wet August day and thoroughly enjoyed our visit. You are given an informative booklet on entry for a self-guided tour of this impressively restored castle. History and old photos adorn the walls and it is so interesting to read about the old Irish history. The roof , lovingly restored shows off the fine craftsmanship needed in the detailed wooden structure. A visit is highly recommended!
Written 26 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin K
Shepparton, Australia308 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
It’s not expensive to enter and we thought it worthwhile .
The staff were friendly and helpful and the building well presented and clean .
There was a lot of information available about its history and it is amazing how the original owners were able to build such a building .
Worth a look
The staff were friendly and helpful and the building well presented and clean .
There was a lot of information available about its history and it is amazing how the original owners were able to build such a building .
Worth a look
Written 9 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I do not believe dogs were permitted.
Written 5 August 2024
Disabled / wheelchair users can see the grounds, the shell of the manor house next to the tower/keep and the ground floor of the tower which was used as storage. Some of the original cobbles and arched ceiling remain. The banqueting hall is only accessible up 2 steep staircases.
Written 27 July 2016
dermot2222
Helsinki, Finland
nobody there on 16th September be at the fair in ballyshannon and on 12th September be at the fair a glenties
Written 18 April 2018
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