Raphoe Castle (Bishops Palace) 6 June 2021 DSC_0424-2
Raphoe, historically Raffoe, comes from the Irish Ráth Bhoth, which is made up of the words ráth (fort) and bhoth (hut). Raphoe is the main town in the fertile district of East Donegal known as the Laggan. Although now ruinous, this fine and impressive former Church of Ireland Bishop's Palace aka Raphoe Castle, originally dating to the first half of the 17th century, retains much of its early imposing character and form.
Set back from the road in an elevated site to the east\south-east of the Diamond, Raphoe, Raphoe in the province of Donegal and to the south-east of associated Church of Ireland cathedral, St Eunan’s.
The turret-like towers to each of the four corners creates a castle-like composition that belies its original function as a clerical dwelling, and its fortified plan is similar to a number of Renaissance fortified palaces found in Italy.
This building was originally built in 1636-7 by the Rt. Rev. Dr John Leslie, Bishop of Raphoe (b.1633 d.1661).
Raphoe Castle (Bishops Palace) 6 June 2021 DSC_0424-2
Raphoe, historically Raffoe, comes from the Irish Ráth Bhoth, which is made up of the words ráth (fort) and bhoth (hut). Raphoe is the main town in the fertile district of East Donegal known as the Laggan. Although now ruinous, this fine and impressive former Church of Ireland Bishop's Palace aka Raphoe Castle, originally dating to the first half of the 17th century, retains much of its early imposing character and form.
Set back from the road in an elevated site to the east\south-east of the Diamond, Raphoe, Raphoe in the province of Donegal and to the south-east of associated Church of Ireland cathedral, St Eunan’s.
The turret-like towers to each of the four corners creates a castle-like composition that belies its original function as a clerical dwelling, and its fortified plan is similar to a number of Renaissance fortified palaces found in Italy.
This building was originally built in 1636-7 by the Rt. Rev. Dr John Leslie, Bishop of Raphoe (b.1633 d.1661).