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Major works at Doherty castle
27.09.12
WORK has begun on
restoring a 500-year old castle near Clonmany.
Carrickabraghy Castle is a former O'Doherty
stronghold overlooking the sea on the Isle of Doagh.
The work, spearheaded by the Carrickabraghy
Restoration Society, is being undertaken to
stabilise and make safe the structure for future
generations. Work is expected to continue for three
months, weather permitting.
The restoration society was formed two years ago to
save one of Inishowen's iconic buildings. A grant
was approved by Inishowen Development Partnership (IDP)
under the National Development Programme 2007-2013.
Following an extended tendering process, local
contractor, John Doherty (Eddie), Rasheeny was
chosen by the project team of engineer Paul Doherty,
archaeologist Richard Crumlish and conservation
architect Bill Hastings. |
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The ruins of O’Doherty Castle at
picturesque Carrickabraghy on the Isle of Doagh. |
The society's chairman,
Marius Harkin, said the project would address
unstable walls and insecure masonry which would be
rebuilt to match existing stone using the
appropriate lime mortar.
Stone lintels to windows and loopholes will be
secured, all facing stones to the walls and circular
tower pointed and coping stones reinstated and
capped to reduce water ingress.
“It is an ambitious project for a local voluntary
group to take on and a challenge to raise the
required funds," said Mr Harkin.
"We’re relying largely on the IDP grant but our
committee who have raised almost €10,000 will have
to raise another €40,000 to complete the work."
He said local people had generously supported
fundraising events over the past year and
fundraising continues. A website
www.carrickabraghycastle.com has been
developed. Mr Harkin said the website was designed
to attract much-needed donations from througout the world. |
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