McSwyne's Castle
GPS: 54.620614, -8.377074
​The McSwynes were Galloglasses, foreign speaking mercenaries in the service of local chieftains, the
O’Donnells. While religious, of the Fransiscan order, they were a fearsome group who favored the
use six foot long razor-sharp battle axes called Sparra.
“…pycked and selected men of great and mightie bodies, crewel without compassion.” - Quote from
1600s
By the mid 1400s their seat of power was here, at McSwyne’s Castle. Soon the Castle remains will be
devoured by the sea, never to be seen again. But the descendants of the clan live on, now known as
Sweeney.
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The backdrop of Bruckless Bay is stunning, but also the site of one of the areas biggest disasters. While here, take time to see the memorial to the Bruckless Bay Disaster of February 1813. Find out more about Bruckless Bay here.
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Castlecarragh Fort
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Back towards Dunkineely, on the other side of the road, you can see the remains of the
Cashelcarragh Stone Fort.
It was once known as Cnoc na Gcionn, which might translate as Hill of Skulls. It is thought to be a place of execution for the McSwyne Clan. But whether they executed others or were executed there themselves remains unclear.
Standing Stones
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A little further North you can see two standing stones.
They are orientated in an ESE to WNW direction, possibly having some kind of calendar function. Associated with pagan worship, standing stones usually had a ceremonial function too.
These stones have survived since the Bronze Age and are likely to be 2,500 to 4,000 years old.
(Please note the fort and stones at Castlecarragh sit on private property)
