Doonbeg means ‘Little Fort’ and was built in the 16th Century.

This is an example of a Castle – tower house; a fortified residence in the form of a tower, usually 4 or 5 storeys high, and for the most part slightly more rectangular than square in plan.

In 1814 the castle of Doonbeg, was in perfect condition. A spiral stone stair led to the top floor, which had a grass plot on it.

In 1907, 2 families lived there and a few years later, a man occupied one of the small western rooms. Up to 1930 it was occupied and one of its occupants was a teacher called Michael Scanlan.

Locals used its upper floor with its mossy overgrowth as a picnic spot because it afforded privacy and beautiful views.