Burt Castle, Inishowen

Burt Castle is a ruined castle located close to Newtowncunningham and Burt, two villages in the east of County Donegal.

The Castle was constructed in the sixteenth century during the reign of Henry VIII. It was a traditional stronghold of the O’Doherty’s, protecting the southern edge of their Inishowen Lordship. The design of the Castle was strongly influenced by contemporary Z-Plan Scottish fortifications, and anticipated the style of buildings constructed during the Ulster Plantation of the following century.

During a disputed succession in 1600, the Crown’s Governor of Derry, Sir Henry Docwra, backed the successful candidate, the fifteen-year-old Sir Cahir O’Doherty. O’Doherty wished to break free of the overlordship of Red Hugh O’Donnell and fought on the Crown’s side during the Nine Years’ War and was knighted for his bravery. Burt Castle was a vital p0ost because it controlled a strategic area, allowing Docwra to bring in food supplies and to open up an offensive again O’Donnell. A garrison of a hundred men under Captain John Vaughan were stationed there.

Following the war O’Doherty continued in his loyalty to the Crown but in 1608, after a dispute with the new Governor of Derry, O’Doherty rose in revolt with the castle as his headquarters. The Burning of Derry in April triggered what became known as O’Doherty’s Rebellion. In response the Dublin authorities sent troops to overrun O’Doherty’s Inishowen heartlands. After a siege they captured Burt Castle and freed the prisoners taken at Derry who were being held there. Shortly afterwards O’Doherty was killed at the Battle of Kilmacrennan and the rebellion collapsed.

During the Williamite War the Castle was the site of a skirmish between Jacobite forces and troops under the overall command of General Percy Kirke who were supporting William III.