Inch Castle

Inch Castle is situated at the extreme seaward end of Inch Island. It was built in the middle of the fifteenth century but, by 1609, when granted to Sir Arthur Chichester, he stated that it was in a state of disrepair.

When the castle was built, Inch was an island and was considered secure. It guarded the waters of the Swilly and protected the heartlands of the O’Dohertys. Interestingly though, the O’Dohertys resided at the castle of Elagh, near Derry/Londonderry instead, until 1600.

The land between the Swilly and the Foyle was rich in cattle and corn, but it was vulnerable to attack from both land and sea, thus explaining the number of castles built in the region. Therefore, Inch Castle was built as part of a network of O’Doherty castles designed to ward off anyone who threatened their lordship.

As for Inch Island itself, it had over four hundred inhabited houses in the early seventeenth century, making it the wealthiest district in Donegal at that time. This, in the context of upheaval in Ulster, made it a target throughout the century.

The loss of Inch Island to the English was the catalyst for Sir Cahir O’Doherty’s rebellion against the English, that, along with being struck by a lower class man called Paulet in public, spurred Cahir into action. (see Sir Cahir O’Doherty).