donamon castle

Dunamon Castle stands on raised ground overlooking the River Suck and is still inhabited. The site is referred to in the Annals of the Four Masters in 1154 as the seat of the O'Finaghtys, who owned all the land for miles around. The castle passed into the hands of the Burkes and in 1656 was bought by Robert King of Rickingham, one of Cromwell's henchmen, for £133.

In 1668 King's son, Lord Kingston, leased the castle to Thomas Caulfield and among the most colourful of the Caulfields was St. George (1697-1778), Member of Parliament, judge, miser and cattle-fancier.

In 1939, the Divine Word Missionaries from Germany bought the castle, which was in a ruinous condition and the grounds a wilderness. During World War II, being cut off from their sister hoses, they suffered much privation but, now, everything is restored and worth a visit.