Doon Castle Ruins
DunMughdhord in the parish of Aghagower

The site of this ancient fortress of DunMughdhord sits high atop a hill with a commanding view of the countryside. This was a square tower castle, surrounded by stone walls and a circular "moat."

First mention in The Annals of the Four Masters: M1133.7
In 1133 an army was led by Cormac Mac Carthaigh and Conchobhar Ua Briain into Connaught; and they killed Cathal, son of Cathal Ua Conchobhair, royal heir of Connaught, and Gilla-na-naemh Ua Floinn, chief of Sil-Maeileruain; and they demolished Dun-Mughdhorn and Dun-mor, and plundered a great part of the country: they afterwards returned without hostages."

These lands were to become the stronghold of the Mac Philbin clan and known as Dooncastle. Clan Mac Philbin descends from John, son of Little Philip. Philip (Mac Philbin) was the son of William de Burgh of Athanchip. This was the Connaught Burke clan, who from the 14th century were prominent in Mayo County.

The chief of this clan resided at Doon and was known as "the Mac Philbin." The Clan Mac Philbin were freeholders under MacWilliam Bourke and owned over 3000 acres in the Barony of Burrishoole.

There were many quarrels between the "Mayo Burkes" and and the Clanrickard Burkes to the north. (County Galway)

In 1355 the Annals of the Four Masters recorded: Henry Mac Philbin and others were slain by Richard Og Burke of Clanricarde. (the first Mac William Uachtar)
The Annals of the Four Masters M1355.11 - A great defeat was given by Richard Oge Burke to the household of Mac William (i.e. Edmond), and to the Sil-Anmchadha, in which Stephen Mac Jordan, Henry Mac Philbin and sixteen of the chiefs of Sil-Anmchadha, were slain.

Battle of Ardnaree: September 23, 1586
In the 16th century the Mac Philbins and Mayo Burkes rebelled against the brutal English rule. They had enlisted the help of Scottish settlers. (some have said mercenaries) Sir Richard Bingham surrounded the camp by night and slaughtered some 2000 men, women and children. He then went on to hang the leaders of the Burkes. The former lands of Mac Philbins and Mayo Burkes were given to English settlers.

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There is little left of Dooncastle. The stone walls and "moat" are overgrown and a lone pillar of stone stands sentinel. The other stones from Dooncastle were taken to be used in the building of Westport Inn.

Doon Castle (known in the family as Philbin castle) can be located just 3 miles east of Westport, on a road which heads north off R330 before you get to Mace.

Many thanks to Burke, People and Places by Eamonn Bourke
and also Anne Philbin for directions and first look at Doon!