Re: the O'Donoghue Castle, near Killarney, County Kerry. ...

Answer by Siobhan
Submitted on 11/21/2003
Rating:	Rate this answer:
Ross Castle was indeed built by the o'Donoghues some time in the mid 15th century - as with most irish tower houses it is difficult to give an exact construction, as the architectural style varied little over the course of the century.By the 1580's the castle had fallen into the hands of Mc Carthy More - another Irish chieftain - but one who had taken the side of the English during the Desmond Rebellion, and was subsequently rewarded with the Castle by the Crown. Gambling and money difficulties meant that McCarthy's ownership was shortlived, as, by the end of the 16th century the castle became the property of the Brownes - an English 'planter' family. The Brownes remained there until 1690, as unfortunately for them, they had converted to catholicism. This meant that after the Battle of the Boyne - where catholic King James was defeated by William of Orange (His Nephew!)the Brownes being catholic, lost the castle again and it came to be finally used a British Army barracks. They also made structural changes, adding a long extension to the back of the tower, and changing the 'bawn' /surrounding wall. The British remained there until 1825 after which it reverted to hands of the Browne family. However by this time the law stated that all roofed building were liable for tax (British law ruled in Ireland at this time with catholics having no civil rights since the Penal laws were introduced after the Battle of the Boyne).The Brownes however would never use the castle again as a family, so by burning the roof off they didn't have to pay the taxes! (common practice back then and why so many Irish tower houses became roofless and fell into decay.) The Castle has now been restored by 'Duchas'- Ireland's national monuments agency and is open to the public from March to November. Not forgetting your question about the actual name 'Ross'. The castle is built on a peninsula jutting out into Lough Leane. There were so many o'Donoghues around (still a very popular name in Killarney) that it was quite common to add on adjectives to differentiate, for example, Mc Carthy More - means 'large McCarthy'. Other examples would be 'og'(young), 'sean'(old), 'beag' or sometimes the adjective would refer to where the family lived, as in the case of the o'Donoghues. The old Irish word for peninsula was 'Ros', so they became the o'Donoghues of the peninsula or 'Ros'. Hope you find the information useful.

Answer by Bill Donoghue
Submitted on 12/31/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Hi Evelyn: I believe I'm related to Michael Donoghue and his wife Mary Healy from Killarney, County Kerry. I'd be interested in talking to you - my email address is ermb@comcast.net. Additional info at: http://www.odonoghue.co.uk/members/stories/index.php How the society helped: My objective was to learn where in Ireland my great-grandfather, John Donoghue, was born in 1850. With the help John Michael O'Donoghue and Rod O'Donoghue both of the O’Donoghue Society I now know the answer: the Cools town land, which is east of Killarney and north of Killaha. It was a fairly exhaustive process of obtaining birth, marriage and death certificates; reviewing U.S. census records from the early 1900’s in Salt Lake City, reviewing the Casey volumes in the Killarney Library, joining the Y-DNA project, etc. But, the key break through came when John remembered that my great-grandfather’s mothers maiden name, Healy, listed on his death record was synonymous with her maiden name, Kerrisk, which was listed on his birth record in the Casey volumes. A great feeling came from this team accomplishment. At various times during my research I considered giving up, but the helped I received from the O’Donoghue Society gave me the necessary encouragement. Although I achieved my objective I hope to continue my genealogy search and learn as much as I can about my ancestors.

FAQS.ORG makes no guarantees as to the accuracy of the posts. Each post is the personal opinion of the poster. These posts are not intended to substitute for medical, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. FAQS.ORG does not endorse any opinion or any product or service mentioned mentioned in these posts.

<< Back to: Irish FAQ: Glossary [10/10]

[ Home | FAQ-Related Q&As | General Q&As | Answered Questions ]

Question by evelyn
Submitted on 8/8/2003
Related FAQ: Irish FAQ: Glossary [10/10]
Rating:	Rate this question:
Re: the O'Donoghue Castle, near Killarney, County Kerry. Can you give me the history and why it was renamed Ross Castle? My husband's maternal grandparents, Michael Donoghue and his wife Mary Healy were from Killarney, County Kerry. We are currently working on the family tree and would like to include the Donoghue (currently:Donohue) history. Thank You.

Answer by fiery@o2.ie
Submitted on 9/13/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
these peoplewere from the glenflesk parish& can or should be readily in the index of o keeffe cois mang.be aware of experts who commonlymake up gen lines.they self style themselves as od from ross,(non existent now,)& pretend somebody from the area said---.to legitimise their notions.they have messed up the facts for others.stick to facts.review the time period to get a feel for the reality then.your one is easy.

Answer by kerry o'donoghue
Submitted on 6/12/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
i am kerry o'donoghue my dad has lots of brothers and sisters. I had to dance in Ennis co. clare and we went for a trip to killarney and saw the o'donoghue castle. we also saw it from a great distance on a horse and cart. that i drove down near the racecourse.

Answer by Conor
Submitted on 12/16/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I'M A O'Donoghue

Answer by dennis
Submitted on 1/23/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
hello i will like to know you very well

Your name or nickname:
If you'd like to create a new account or access your existing account, put in your password here:
Your answer: