Location: Roscommon County
Constructed: 1154
Tel. +353 (0)90 6662222
Donamon Castle, more correctly spelled Dunamon Castle (Irish: Dún Iomáin, meaning "Fort of Iomán"), is one of Ireland’s oldest continuously inhabited buildings, located on a raised promontory overlooking the River Suck in County Roscommon. With origins dating back to at least 1154, the castle has evolved from a Gaelic stronghold to an Anglo-Norman fortress, a battlemented manor, and, since 1939, the Irish headquarters of the Divine Word Missionaries. Its history spans over 800 years, encompassing Gaelic chieftains, Norman conquests, Cromwellian upheavals, and modern humanitarian uses, including its recent role as a sanctuary for Ukrainian refugees.
The site of Dunamon Castle has been fortified since ancient times,
likely as a ringfort, due to its strategic position above the River
Suck, a major waterway in Connacht. The name Dún Iomáin suggests a fort
associated with a figure named Iomán, possibly a local chieftain. The
first recorded reference appears in the Annals of the Four Masters for
1154, identifying it as Dún Iomghain, the seat of the Ó Fionnachta
(O’Finaghty) chief of Clann Chonnmhaigh, one of two main branches of
this Gaelic family. The castle’s early history reflects the power
struggles between Gaelic lords and Anglo-Norman invaders, with repeated
destruction and rebuilding marking its medieval phase.
Key
Historical Events
Gaelic Origins and Norman Conquest (1154–1315): The
Ó Fionnachta, chiefs of Clann Chonnmhaigh (Clan Conway), held Dunamon as
their principal seat, controlling lands for miles around. In 1232,
during the Norman conquest of Connacht, Adam de Staunton, a knight from
County Kildare, fortified the site, but his structure was demolished by
the O’Connor clan in 1233. A rebuilt castle was occupied by the King’s
justiciar, de Oddingseles, in 1294, who died the following year. The de
Berminghams of Athenry took over, but the O’Connors destroyed it again
in 1315. By 1307, the Ó Fionnachta were supplanted by the MacDavid
Burkes, a branch of the Anglo-Norman Burke family, who became the
castle’s long-term occupants.
Burke and Caulfeild Eras (14th
Century–1920): The MacDavid Burkes held Dunamon from the early 14th
century until 1688, transforming it into a battlemented manor around
1620, reflecting a more stable political climate. The castle’s current
form began to take shape during this period, likely incorporating
earlier tower house remnants. In 1652, the Cromwellian Settlement
dispossessed the Burkes, and in 1656, Robert King of Rockingham, a
Cromwellian ally, purchased Dunamon and its lands for £133. In 1668,
John Lord Kingston, Robert’s son, leased the estate for 500 years to
Thomas Caulfeild, brother of Lord Charlemont. The Caulfeilds, prominent
in Irish politics and law, became major landowners with 6,632 acres and
resided at Dunamon until 1920. Colonel John Caulfeild (d. 1810) and his
heir, Francis St. George Caulfeild (d. 1896), were notable figures, with
the latter marrying into the Crofton family. The last Caulfeild left in
1920, dying in poverty in London in 1933.
IRA Occupation and Vacancy
(1921–1939): In 1921, Republican forces briefly occupied Dunamon during
the Irish War of Independence. In late 1932, an IRA unit led by Seán
McCool and Mick Price seized the castle to establish a training camp,
highlighting its continued strategic value. From 1920 to 1939, the
castle remained vacant, shunned by locals who believed it was haunted by
the ghost of a former bailiff, possibly a Caulfeild-era figure known for
oppressive rent collection.
Divine Word Missionaries (1939–Present):
In 1939, the Divine Word Missionaries, a Roman Catholic missionary
society founded by a German priest, purchased Dunamon from the Irish
Land Commission. The castle, then in ruinous condition with overgrown
grounds, was transformed into a training campus for missionaries. The
society built additional structures, including a substantial college
building in the 1960s, which trained over 100 priests for global
missions. The missionaries’ arrival was celebrated locally as a
liberation from centuries of landlord oppression, marking a new era of
spiritual and communal purpose. The castle remains their Irish
headquarters, though the training campus was managed by the Irish
Wheelchair Association as a National Holiday Centre from the 1990s until
its closure in 2019.
Ukrainian Refugee Sanctuary (2022–Present): In
March 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Dunamon Castle’s
college building was repurposed as a sanctuary for Ukrainian refugees.
Spearheaded by local advocates like John F. Hanley and Fr. George Agger
of the Divine Word Missionaries, the initiative transformed the facility
into a safe haven within days, housing families fleeing the war. This
humanitarian effort, supported by Roscommon’s community and government,
underscores the castle’s ongoing role as a place of refuge and hope.
Dunamon Castle is an exceptional example of a building that has
evolved over six centuries, incorporating a medieval tower house,
18th-century additions, and a substantial 19th-century extension.
Described as more a battlemented country house than a defensive castle,
its current form reflects the relaxed political climate of the early
17th century, with later Gothic-Georgian enhancements. The castle is set
within a picturesque estate, enhanced by outbuildings, a walled garden,
and a ruined church, with modern additions like a 1960s chapel providing
architectural contrast.
Exterior: The castle is a detached,
multiple-bay, three-story structure with a basement and attic, commenced
around 1400 and extended circa 1670, 1700s, and 1855. It features
gabled, pitched slate roofs behind a castellated parapet, with
castellated towers and a parapet on the 1855 block. The walls are random
rubble limestone, with snecked limestone on the 1855 extension.
Square-headed window openings have label-moldings and chamfered
limestone surrounds, while the 1855 block features tooled chamfered
surrounds. A double-height, deeply recessed entrance bay on the front
elevation contains a decorative carved limestone door surround, accessed
by perron steps, with a Tudor-arch doorway to the basement. The rear
entrance mirrors this design with a carved sandstone surround. A lofty
arch between towers, similar to Bunratty Castle, is a distinctive
feature.
Interior: While specific interior details are less
documented due to restricted access, the castle retains historical
features like fireplaces, oak paneling, and possibly remnants of the
original tower house’s vaulted ceilings. The 18th- and 19th-century
additions introduced Georgian elements, such as sash windows and ornate
plasterwork, typical of Caulfeild residences. The Divine Word
Missionaries modernized parts of the interior for residential and
training purposes, with communal spaces, chapels, and living quarters.
The college building, added in the 1960s, includes functional spaces now
used for refugee housing.
Grounds and Outbuildings: The estate
includes 18th-century cut limestone L-plan outbuildings to the west, a
walled garden, and a ruined church, adding historical depth. The 1960s
chapel and former respite center (Irish Wheelchair Association) provide
modern contrast. The castle’s elevated position offers stunning views of
the River Suck and surrounding countryside, enhancing its romantic
appeal.
Condition: The castle is in good condition, having been
restored by the Divine Word Missionaries in 1939 and maintained as their
residence. The 1855 extension and modern additions are structurally
sound, though the castle’s medieval core shows signs of its age. It is
not a public site, limiting wear from tourism, but its continuous
occupation ensures upkeep.
Dunamon Castle is a cultural and historical landmark in County
Roscommon, embodying the region’s transition from Gaelic to Anglo-Norman
to modern Ireland. Its longevity as an inhabited site, from the Ó
Fionnachta to the Divine Word Missionaries, underscores its adaptability
and enduring relevance. The castle’s association with the Caulfeilds,
prominent in Irish law and politics, and its role in 20th-century
revolutionary and humanitarian efforts highlight its multifaceted
legacy.
Historical Legacy: The castle’s early role as an Ó
Fionnachta stronghold ties it to Connacht’s Gaelic heritage, while its
repeated destruction by the O’Connors reflects resistance to Norman
incursion. The Burke and Caulfeild eras illustrate Anglo-Norman
dominance and landlordism, often resented locally, as noted in the
Divine Word Missionaries’ narrative of “oppressive landlords.” The 1932
IRA occupation connects it to Ireland’s struggle for independence, and
its refugee sanctuary role aligns with global humanitarian causes.
Cultural Role: As the Divine Word Missionaries’ Irish headquarters,
Dunamon is a spiritual center, having trained over 100 priests and
supported missions worldwide. Its transformation from a symbol of
landlord oppression to a “place of liberation and blessings” resonates
with Roscommon’s community, who embraced the missionaries in 1939. The
castle’s brief use by the Irish Wheelchair Association and its current
refugee housing reflect its ongoing social impact.
Tourism Context:
Unlike Clontarf Castle or Dunasead Castle, Dunamon is not a public
attraction, limiting its tourism footprint. Its location, 8 km east of
Roscommon town and 30 km from Galway, places it near sites like
Roscommon Castle, Boyle Abbey, and the Arigna Mining Experience, but its
private status restricts visits. Tripadvisor reviews (4/5 from limited
entries) praise its “amazing” restoration and historical significance,
though access is a barrier.
Dunamon Castle is reputedly haunted, with local lore claiming the ghost of a former bailiff, likely from the Caulfeild era, roams the grounds. This figure, associated with harsh rent collection, was blamed for the castle’s vacancy from 1920 to 1939, as locals avoided the site. While less documented than Foulksrath’s multiple ghosts or Clonony’s spectral figure, the bailiff’s presence adds a layer of mystique, possibly tied to the estate’s history of tenant oppression. Visitors to the grounds occasionally report eerie sensations, though the Divine Word Missionaries’ spiritual presence may temper such tales.
Dunamon Castle is privately owned by the Divine Word Missionaries and
serves as their Irish residence, with the adjacent college building
repurposed for Ukrainian refugees since 2022. It is not open to the
public, and access is restricted to invited guests or organized visits,
such as those arranged through the Suck Valley Visitor Centre. The
castle’s excellent condition, following the 1939 restoration and ongoing
maintenance, ensures its preservation, though its private status limits
exploration.
Access: Located in Dunamon, Toberkeagh, County
Roscommon (coordinates 53.6333° N, 8.3167° W), the castle is 8 km east
of Roscommon town via the N63. Public transport is limited, with Bus
Éireann routes to Roscommon town, requiring a taxi or car to reach
Dunamon. Parking is restricted to residents and approved visitors.
Contact the Divine Word Missionaries (+353 90 6662222) or Suck Valley
Visitor Centre (+353 83 0698795) for inquiries.
Visitor Experience:
Public access is minimal, but those granted entry can view the castle’s
exterior, with its castellated towers and River Suck backdrop, ideal for
photography. The grounds, including the walled garden and ruined church,
are partially accessible with permission. The interior, with its
historical and Georgian features, is reserved for residents and
missionaries. Nearby attractions like Roscommon Castle (8.27 km) and
Castlecoote House (2.55 km) offer alternative historical stops.
Safety and Recommendations: As a private residence, visitors must
respect boundaries and avoid trespassing. Contact the missionaries or
visitor center in advance to inquire about guided tours, which are rare.
Wear sturdy shoes for the uneven grounds, and check weather forecasts,
as the River Suck area can be damp. Combine a visit with Roscommon’s
heritage sites, dining at local spots like the Abbey Hotel in Roscommon
town.
Donamon Castle in 1786