Fancy owning a castle in Ireland for far less than the price of an apartment in Sydney?

Castle Donovan, an historic ruin in Drimoleague, West Cork, is now up for sale at an asking price of AU$328,000. But if you decide to bid, you’ll have to face competition from the mighty O’Donovan Clan. 

They are are seeking to buy the towerhouse, their ancestral home, through an online campaign.

The O’Donovan Clan were renowned Gaelic warriors and one of the principal families in West Cork. Known for their fierce independence and martial prowess, they played significant roles in historical conflicts and power struggles. 

The O’Donovans are of Royal origin, being descended from Ailill Fland Bec, King of Munster. The family was an independent regional royal house. This noble heritage set the foundation for their status as a formidable clan.

Today the head of the family, Teige O’Donovan, is still counted among the leading Gaelic nobility of Ireland. Known by the title ‘The O’Donovan of Clan Cathail’, he is a member of the Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains. 

Throughout history, the O’Donovans were known for forming strategic alliances to maintain their power and influence. They were adept at navigating the complex political landscape of medieval Ireland.

The O’Donovans were actively involved in numerous military engagements, defending their territory against rival clans and foreign invaders. Their martial skills were honed through constant warfare, making them respected and feared opponents.

Castle Donovan, built in the 16th century by Donal of the Hides, served as a stronghold for the clan. The castle’s history is marked by battles and sieges, including its partial destruction by Oliver Cromwell’s forces in the 17th century.

Members of the O’Donovan Clan were involved in significant rebellions against English rule, such as the Irish Rebellion of 1641. Their resistance efforts often came at great personal and collective cost, but they remained committed to their cause.

Despite the challenges of maintaining their independence, the O’Donovans preserved their Gaelic culture and traditions, including the practice of bardic poetry and patronage of the arts. 

Notable O’Donovans include the Fenian Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa, and Denis O’Donovan CMG, the Cork-born librarian after whom the Queensland Parliament’s O’Donovan Library is named. 

Last August, clan members travelled from all corners of the world for a gathering in Ireland. 

They held events across West Cork and visited the family castle. Clan chief Teige O’Donovan formally welcomed the clan, accompanied by piper Diarmuid Grainger who played the Clan March, The Eagle’s Whistle.

The gathering also included lectures on history and The Great Hunger (famine), with visits to the Skibbereen Heritage Centre and Abbeystrewry Cemetery. At the cemetery, a lament was sung by Miriam O’Donovan and a wreath laid by the eldest clan member present.

The clan’s focus is now on securing their ancestoral home, which  saw conservation efforts by Ireland’s Office of Public Works between 2001 and 2014, and is listed as a National Monument.

 They said on their fundraising page: “Many members of the Irish and diasporan O’Donovan community have expressed interest in joining together to purchase the freehold of the castle.”

 The clan’s GoFundMe campaign aims to raise at least AU$7,900 to establish not-for-profit entities in the US and Ireland, which will facilitate the purchase and preservation of the castle.

For more information, visit the selling agent Sherry FitzGerald and support the campaign at O’Donovan Clan’s GoFundMe page. 

Main picture: Castledonovan in West Cork. Credit: Mike Searle/Wikimedia Commons.

Cover picture: O’Donovan Clan gathering at Castledonovan in 2023. Credit: Facebook/Clan O’Donovan Gathering