GREENCASTLE ~ Population 1,000 approximately
An Caisleán Nua ~ meaning "New Castle" relating to Newburgh Castle/Northburgh Castle
Greencastle, County Donegal ~ taken from the Ferry
Greencastle is a pretty little seaside town and fishing port on the east coast of the Inishowen peninsula of County Donegal.. The name is taken from the castle there which was built by the then Earl of Ulster, Richard de Burgh, in 1305. The castle was originally called North Burg Castle, later becoming New Castle and finally Green Castle which name it is thought is in reference to the green tinged stones with which it was built. The ruins of the castle are still pretty impressive and stand at quite a height when viewed from the lower side.
Beside the castle, atop high walls, is a Martello Tower which dates from the start of the 19th century and was built by the British to guard against invasion by Napoleon. There is a twin Martello tower across the water at Magilligan (in County Derry).
NEARBY
~ Moville
~ Shroove Beach & Lighthouse
Beside the castle, atop high walls, is a Martello Tower which dates from the start of the 19th century and was built by the British to guard against invasion by Napoleon. There is a twin Martello tower across the water at Magilligan (in County Derry).
NEARBY
~ Moville
~ Shroove Beach & Lighthouse
The Castle Ruins, Greencastle
The castle was built in 1305 by the then Earl of Ulster, Richard de Burgh. It was built to defend the area from the other leading Donegal clan, the O'Donnells.
To view photographs of the castle, go to our Donegal Castles page for Greencastle Castle.
To view photographs of the castle, go to our Donegal Castles page for Greencastle Castle.
Inishowen Memorial, Greencastle
Along the sea-front in Greencastle is a memorial commemorating Inishowen men who died at sea from the year 1771. The memorial was unveiled on the 6th of June 1997 by the then President, Mary Robinson.
The plaque there reads:
"Inishowen Martitime Memorial
This monument is in memory of all those from the Inishowen Peninsula who have died at sea. The adjacent plaques records the names of those who are known to have lost their lives. It has not been possible to find out the name of every person who died at sea and any omissions are unintentional."
The plaque there reads:
"Inishowen Martitime Memorial
This monument is in memory of all those from the Inishowen Peninsula who have died at sea. The adjacent plaques records the names of those who are known to have lost their lives. It has not been possible to find out the name of every person who died at sea and any omissions are unintentional."
Inishowen Maritime Museum & Planetarium, Greencastle
Inishowen Maritime Museum & Planetarium
The Inishowen Maritime Museum & Planetarium is housed in the old coastguard station in Greencastle. The museum was opened 1995 and five years later in 2000 the planetarium was added.
On the lawn outside there are various types of anchors used over the years and inside there is information, photographs and artefacts on all things maritime including photographs of emigrant ships, emigrant photographs and copies of tickets, and it is also home to the propellor of the HMS Wasp which sunk off Tory Island in 1884 (you can read about the HMS Wasp on our Tory island page by clicking the link).
On the lawn outside there are various types of anchors used over the years and inside there is information, photographs and artefacts on all things maritime including photographs of emigrant ships, emigrant photographs and copies of tickets, and it is also home to the propellor of the HMS Wasp which sunk off Tory Island in 1884 (you can read about the HMS Wasp on our Tory island page by clicking the link).
