Hope Street Walking Tour – Donaghadee

DONAGHADEE

At the end of the Ice Age the first people to arrive in what is now Donaghadee probably settled, around 8,000 years ago, on the raised beach on which the Anglo-Norman Motte now stands. This was an excellent defensive site. It’s believed there was an Irish ring fort there originally, prior to construction of the Motte in the late 12th century.

Following the departure of the Normans, Donaghadee became part of the Clandeboye O’Neill’s vast estates. By 1603 Sir Con O’Neill, Lord of South Clandeboye and the Great Ardes, had been charged by Sir Arthur Chichester of ’waging war against the Queen’ and was imprisoned in Carrickfergus Castle. Sir Hugh Montgomery of Braidstane, Ayrshire heard about this and felt he could benefit from the situation. He offered to get a pardon for Con O’Neill, from King James, in return for half of O’Neill’s Estate. Montgomery succeeded, but then Sir James Hamilton and Sir James Fullerton approached King James and suggested he was being too generous in letting Montgomery have half of O’Neill’s lands.  They suggested dividing the estate three ways: one third each to Hamilton & Montgomery and the final third left with Con O’Neill.  The King agreed and Montgomery and Hamilton got permission to proceed with the private settlement of their newly acquired lands. Montgomery fell out with Hamilton for preventing him getting half of O’Neill’s estate and this bitter feud continued for years.  Montgomery also acquired Portpatrick and got the Royal Warrant for it and Donaghadee. This meant that all trade and travel between the Ards and Galloway had to be between these two ports. By 1626 a packet service was set up between the two ports and for the next 200 years Donaghadee was one of the most important ports in Ireland.