Carrickabraghy Castle
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Carrickabraghy Carraig Brachai |
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Carrickabraghy Castle
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 Carrickabraghy
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| Coordinates: 55°18′59″N 7°22′22″W / 55.316329°N 7.372674°WCoordinates: 55°18′59″N 7°22′22″W / 55.316329°N 7.372674°W | |
| Country |
 Ireland |
| Province | Ulster |
| County | County Donegal |
| Time zone | WET (UTC+0) |
| • Summer (DST) | IST (WEST) (UTC-1) |
| Irish Grid Reference | C398523 |
Carrickabraghy (Irish: Carraig Brachai) Castle stands on a rocky outcrop at the north-western extremity of the Isle of Doagh, at the head of Pollan Bay, in the parish of Clonmany, in the Barony (Ireland) of Inishowen, County Donegal, Republic of Ireland. Known locally as 'The Castles', it is a place of captivating beauty, steeped in history with tales of bravery and battles, and of foreign invasion and revolt. The site is of significant importance to both local and national Irish history.
Whilst it is accepted that the Irish word 'Carraig' means rock, there is some debate as to the meaning of 'Bhrachai'. It is thought the word could be a personal name, as it is mentioned in the pre-Norman genealogy of the Cineal Fhearghasa, and could be an ancestor of the McFall sept. Machtochair, in his book Inishowen, Its History, Traditions and Antiquities says Carraig Bhrachai means 'The Friars Rock'.
From the ninth to the thirteenth century Inishowen was politically divided into three 'tuatha' or districts. These were known as Aileach in the south, Bredach to the east and Carraig Bhrachai to the west. The Lords of Carraig Bhrachai were the O Maolfabhail sept (anglicised McFall), who were descended from Cineal Fhearghasa, a branch of Cineal Eoghain. They ruled from the town-land of Carrickabraghy, the area where the Castle now stands. They were one of the most important families in Inishowen.
The earliest historical mention of Carrickabraghy comes in The Annals of the Four Masters;
In 834 The monarch Niall Caille led an army into Leinster; one of his officers, Fearghas, son of Badhbhchadh, lord of Carraig Bhrachai, was killed by Munstermen.
In 857 Sechonnan, son of Conaing, king of Carraig Bhrachai, died.
In 878 Maolfabhail, son of Loingseach, lord of Carraig Bhrachai, died.
In 907 Ruarc, son of Maolfabhail, lord of Carraig Bhrachai, died.
In 915 in a battle between the Irish and foreigners – Danes or Norse – the chief of Carraig Bhrachai was slain.
In 965 Tiarnach, son of Ruarc, lord of Carraig Bhrachai, died.
In 1014 Cu Dubh, son of Maolfabhail, chief of Carraig Bhrachai, was slain by the race of Tadhg Breagha.
In 1053 Flaitheartach O Maolfabhail, lord of Carraig Bhrachai, died.
In 1065 Muireartach O Maolfabhail, king of Carraig Bhrachai, was killed by the Ui Meith of Menna Tire.
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Wikipedia