Where O'Doherty's Strongholds Stood in 1601

From the Ulster Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 5

The following is taken from an original document in the State Paper Office dated 12th April, 1601, and endorsed "The Description of Lough Foyle and the Country adjacent".

"THE NAMES OF ALL THE CHIEF PLACES OF STRENGTHE IN O'DOUGHERDIE'S COUNTRY CALLED ENYSHOWEN, AS WELL CASTLES AS FORTES.

On the south syde of the country, at the coming of the Loughe, there is an ould ruyned castle called Newcastle.
Here dwells Hugh Boy Mack Caire, one of the Odougherdie sept.

Next unto the Newcastle, three miles to landwardes, is a churche called Moyvill, with a haven before it.
Here dwells Shane mack Duffe, Hughe Boye's brother.

Next to that within four myles is a small castle called Caire MacEwlyn.
Here dwells Hugh Carrogh McLoughlin, chief of his sept.

Twoe miles above that is another small castle called Garnegall.
Here dwells Brien oge McLoughlin.

Seven miles from Garnegall is the fort of Culmore, where Phelimy og Odougherdie did dwell.
Odougherdie's brother.

Three miles above Culmore stands the Derie, where the Bishope dwelt, who is one of the sept of the Gallocars.

From the Derie three miles within the land, towards Loughswillin, is the castle of Elloghe, O'Dougherdie's chief house.

From Elloghe, five miles up into the country, at the syde of Loughswilly, is another castle of O'Dougherdie, called Birt.
Here he had a ward of 40 men.

Next to that, in the Lough to the seaward, is an Ielande called Ench, five miles in length, and one mile from Birt.
The chief dweller here is Doultagh O'Dougherdie.

Over against Elloghe, in O'Dougherdie's country, is a castle and a church called the Fanne, but broken down synce our aryval.
Here dwells the Bishop O'Galchar.

From the seawardes six miles, is another small castle, called Boncranagh, and a river into the Lough where samon is taken.
At this place dwells Conor McGarrot O'Dougherdie.

From Boncranagh, seawards nine miles, is another castle and a church, called Clonmeny, by the sea syde.
Here dwells a priest called Amerson.

From Clonmeny, to seawardes five miles, is antoher castle, called Carrickbrahey.
Here dwells Phelim brasleigh Odougherdie.

From Carrickbrahey, to landward one mile, is a small castle, called Caslane stoke.
Here dwells Phelimy Brasleigh's Sonne.

From Caslane stoke to seaward is a country of nine myles in lengthe, called Mullane, wherein is a fort by the sea syde, called Don-Yrishe holde, and inhabited by O'Dougherdie. On the south syde stands another fort called Don-owen.
Here dwells Phelimy Brasleigh's Sonne.

To the southward of the same island standes a church with a woode, called Donoughmore.

From Donoughmore, a myle northwards, is a church called Caldanylie, and stands upon the sea syde.
Here dwells McShane O'Dougherdie.

Theis be all the chief places rounde about Odougherdie's country called Enishowen. The midland country is most part mountanous, and hath few inhabitants.

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