Donegal

Donegal stands at the head of Donegal Bay beside the River Eske. Its castle and Franciscan friary were closely associated with the O'Donnells, lords of Tír Chonaill, whose power extended over much of northwestern Ulster. Hugh Roe O'Donnell is credited with building the castle in the late fifteenth century; the friary became a place of patronage and burial for his family.

During the Nine Years' War the castle and friary were caught in the struggle for control of the region. The English took the castle in 1601, and the friary was severely damaged by an explosion during fighting that year. Rory O'Donnell began repairs before leaving Ireland in 1607 in the Flight of the Earls. The friary was later granted to Sir Basil Brooke, who also rebuilt the O'Donnell castle, marking a new order in the town.