Carrickabraghy Castle Co. Donegal Ireland 4K

Taken with a Gopro Hero 4 black dji 450 naza lite gimbal hero4. 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'. History 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; Sean Beattie, in his book 'Ancient Monuments of Inishowen' recounts a tale regarding a Viking raid on Donegal in the tenth century. Three princesses were taken as hostages during the raid. One of the princesses escaped and took plundered treasure with her. She came ashore at Carrickabraghy and married a local chief. It is interesting to note that throughout the period of Viking invasion in Inishowen the McFall sept maintained their control over Carrickabraghy. Carraig Bhrachai is not mentioned again in the history books until 1600. The present remains of The Castle are thought to have been built around this time. The O Dochartaigh Clan had risen into power in Inishowen and the Chief of the clan and Lord of Inishowen was Sean Og O Dochartaigh. The English invasion of Ireland was well underway, and to protect his livestock and supplies from English raids, Sean Og decided the best place to store them was on The Isle of Doagh with his kinsman, The Lord of Carraig Bhrachai, Feilimi Brasleach O Dochartaigh. There was good reason for this as The Isle of Doagh was unfamiliar territory to the English and was easily defended as it was only accessible at low tide. Sean Og O Dochartaigh died suddenly in 1601 and his successor as Lord of Inishowen had not yet been decided. The natural choice, his first-born son, Cathaoir Rua, had not yet come of age, and there were other forces at work wanting their own man installed. Aodh Rua O Donaill, the Lord of Tir Chonaill, wanted an experienced and mature man at the helm, someone who would remain loyal to him, effectively keeping the peninsula and its resources under his control. That man was Feilim Og, Sean Og's half-brother. The English commander in Derry, Sir Henry Dowcra, was not bothered who the successor was as long as they were ready to submit himself and the territory to the Queen. Aodh Bui Mac Daibheid wanted the young Cathaoir as successor. Aodh Rua O Donaill prevailed and Feilim Og was inaugurated in February 1601. His reign, however, was to be short lived. Aodh Bui Mac Daibheid, though cunning negotiations with both Dowcra and O Donaill, had Cathaoir Rua O Dochartaigh rightfully installed as Lord of Inishowen in May 1601. He was just 14 years old, and he was to be the last of the great Irish Lords. It is important to note that Ireland at this time was very fragmented, with feuds and arguments happening between different clans. The English were seen as just another enemy, and the rulers of the clans were really only interested in keeping hold of their own lands. The music in this video is by my good friend Ben Glover who lived in the nearby town of Glenarm. Ben now lives in Nashville USA. Some Bio of Ben- The music of Americana artists mixed with traditional Irish songs were the soundtrack for Ben Glover growing up in the sleepy seaside village of Glenarm in the north of Ireland. In the summers during studying law at university he paid his way across the Atlantic by performing Irish folk ballads, the songs of Christy Moore and The Pogues in the bars in Boston, while back home in the pubs of Ireland he was singing Dylan and Springsteen. This theme seems to be woven throughout his life - one artist influenced by two countries connected by the Atlantic Ocean. Ben relocated to Nashville in 2009 and immersed himself in the southern culture. More at 'www.benglover.co.uk'