Faugher House

Overview

Faugher House sits on a gentle rise in the barony of Kilmacrennan, a few kilometres east of the coastal village of Dunfanaghy and close to the summit of Mullaghdoney Hill. The derelict stone house and its surrounding bawn dominate the rural skyline with their steeply‑pitched roofline (now collapsed) and massive chimney stacks. Though the building is roofless, the rubble‑stone walls, arched entrance and remnants of defensive features remain remarkably intact, offering visitors a tangible glimpse into the turbulent seventeenth‑century history of County Donegal.

The site is visible from the public road that runs past a modern farm complex, making it a striking waypoint for history enthusiasts, photographers and walkers.

Names and alternative titles

Faugher House is also recorded as O’Boyle’s Castle and Wray’s Castle. These names reflect the two principal families associated with the estate: the O’Boyles, who built the original bawn and house in the early 1600s, and the Wray family, who likely rebuilt the main house in the later seventeenth century.

History

The story of Faugher begins in 1611 when Tirlagh Roe O’Boyle was granted 2,000 acres in the Kilmacrennan barony as part of the Plantation of Ulster. O’Boyle’s family originally came from Kiltooris Castle near Portnoo and Narin. By 1619 O’Boyle had erected a “good bawn and a house of lime and stone” – the earliest phase of the site, a defensive enclosure built of rubble stone with rounded battlements and gun‑loops along its north‑west wall.

Contemporary records describe the house as a clay‑and‑stone structure 48 ft long by 25 ft wide, surrounded by three stone outbuildings and a timber‑thatched house. After O’Boyle’s involvement in the 1641 rebellion the lands were forfeited and passed through several hands, including John Stanton (who married into the family) and Sir John Stephens.

In 1700 the property was sold to the Wray family, who had already been residing there for some three decades. It is highly probable that the Wrays rebuilt the house between 1670 and 1700, giving us the five‑bay, three‑storey structure that dominates the ruins today. Architectural details such as the cross‑wall plan, angled corner fireplaces and the four‑centred arched entrance are characteristic of late‑seventeenth‑century Irish domestic architecture.

The house was abandoned by the mid‑eighteenth century, shortly after the Wrays constructed a new mansion at nearby Ards. By the time the Taylor & Skinner map of 1777‑83 was published, the site was already marked as “Castle Ruins”. The surviving fabric – the gabled walls, the partially collapsed chimney stacks, the brick‑lined oven in the basement kitchen and the remnants of a defensive porch – now serve as a rare, largely unaltered example of the transition from fortified medieval dwellings to the more open houses of the eighteenth century.

What to See & Do

• Bawn walls – Walk the perimeter of the rectangular bawn (approximately 34 m × 29 m internally). The western and southern walls still rise to their original height, crowned with rounded crenellations and pierced by gun‑loops.
• Four‑centred arched entrance – The south‑west side retains a stop‑chamfered jamb and the stone reveals of a four‑centred arch, complete with a draw‑bar socket.
• Chimney stacks & fireplaces – Examine the massive chimney stacks at the north‑west and south‑east gable ends. Inside the ruins you can still trace the outlines of angled corner fireplaces and a brick‑lined oven that served the basement kitchen.
• Defensive porch remains – The ruinous remains of a defensive porch on the south‑west elevation hint at the house’s fortified origins.
• Architectural details – Note the irregularly‑spaced square‑headed windows with stone voussoirs, the partially lime‑roughcast walls and the raised interior ground level within the bawn.
• Landscape views – From the raised interior of the bawn you can enjoy sweeping views over the surrounding farmland, the nearby Portnablagh Pier and the distant Atlantic coastline.
• Photography – The ruin’s dramatic silhouette is especially striking at sunrise and sunset, when low light accentuates the rough‑cast walls and chimney stacks. Winter’s muted light also creates atmospheric shots.

Because the house is a ruin, there are no guided tours or visitor facilities on‑site. The experience is self‑guided, allowing you to linger over the stonework, imagine daily life in the seventeenth century, and capture atmospheric light that filters through the broken walls.

Visiting Tips & Practical Information

• Access – The ruin lies on the “Middle Road”, a side‑road off the N56 that runs between Dunfanaghy and Breaghy Head. Follow signs for the farm at Faugher; a small lay‑by beside the modern farm buildings provides limited parking.
• Viewing point – There is no official public right of way onto the bawn, but the short unpaved path from the lay‑by brings you to the visible perimeter of the ruins. Stay on the path and respect the privately‑owned land.
• Opening hours – The site is not officially open to the public and has no set opening times. It can be viewed from the lay‑by at any time, weather permitting.
• Parking – A small lay‑by beside the farm complex offers a few spaces; it can fill quickly in summer, so arrive early.
• Footwear – The ground is uneven and includes sections of loose stone; sturdy footwear is advisable.
• Accessibility – The terrain is uneven and not wheelchair‑friendly.
• Facilities – No toilets, café or visitor centre are available on‑site.
• Pets – Dogs are permitted provided they remain on the path and under control.
• Families – The site is safe for children to explore, but supervise them on the uneven ground.

Nearby attractions

• Ards Forest Park – A short drive north brings you to this coastal woodland, ideal for walking trails, bird‑watching and picnics. The park’s network of paths can be combined with a walk to Faugher House for a varied half‑day outing.
• Grianán of Aileach – The iconic stone fort sits a few kilometres north‑west and offers panoramic views over the surrounding countryside.
• Portnablagh Pier and Sheephaven Bay – The harbour and its sheltered beaches are perfect for a seaside stroll or a bite to eat at the local cafés.
• Ballymastocker Bay – For those willing to venture a little further, this Blue Flag beach is renowned for its turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs.

Further reading – For an in‑depth architectural analysis, consult the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage entry linked above, which provides detailed measurements, construction phases and historical context.

View the official heritage record