Mongavlin Castle

History

In the sixteenth century, Mongevlin was the chief residence of Iníon Dubh, daughter of James MacDonald, 6th of Dunnyveg and mother of Red Hugh O'Donnell. A State Paper recording her possession describes a bog running three miles to Lough Foyle, with a standing lake called Bunaber where O'Donnell's mother dwelt, and a fort called McGevyvelin upon the river as her chief house. When Iníon Dubh came to Ulster to marry Sir Aodh mac Maghnusa Ó Domhnaill, she brought a force of 100 large men from Scotland as bodyguards, 80 of them named Crawford. After the O'Donnells abandoned Mongavlin, the Crawfords settled locally, and many descendants remain. In April 1608, following the Flight of the Earls, Sir Cahir O'Doherty, the last Gaelic Lord of Inishowen, laid siege to Derry after his lands were confiscated for the Plantation of Ulster. While Sir Cahir attempted to capture Derry, he sent Niall Garve O'Donnell to Lifford Castle to block English reinforcements. Niall Garve instead went to Mongavlin Castle, evicted Iníon Dubh, and plundered the area. Sir Cahir then evicted Niall Garve and reinstated Iníon Dubh. Shortly after, the castle was abandoned due to O'Donnell clan in-fighting.