Scheduled MonumentsNorthern IrelandDerryDoherty tower, castle aileach. castle & earthwork enclosure
MED/L.MED · FORTIFICATION

Doherty tower, castle aileach. castle & earthwork enclosure

Derry, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 13242
Period
MED/L.MED
Site type
FORTIFICATION
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR)

Overview

History & significance

Doherty Tower is a medieval fortification forming part of Castle Aileach in County Derry, Northern Ireland. The tower represents later medieval occupation and development of this strategic site, which had been significant since Iron Age times as a royal stronghold. The structure exemplifies the defensive architecture employed by the O'Doherty family during their period of dominance in the north-west, reflecting the turbulent political landscape of medieval Ulster. The tower and its associated earthwork enclosure demonstrate the continued military importance of this elevated position commanding the surrounding landscape.

Doherty tower, castle aileach. castle & earthwork enclosure is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 13242. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Doherty tower, castle aileach. castle & earthwork enclosure?

Doherty Tower is a medieval fortification forming part of Castle Aileach in County Derry, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 13242.

What period does Doherty tower, castle aileach. castle & earthwork enclosure date from?

Doherty tower, castle aileach. castle & earthwork enclosure dates from the med/l.med period, and is classified as a fortification. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Doherty tower, castle aileach. castle & earthwork enclosure?

Doherty tower, castle aileach. castle & earthwork enclosure is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Ni. The official designation reference is 13242.

What other scheduled monuments are near Doherty tower, castle aileach. castle & earthwork enclosure?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including St. columb's stone. inauguration stone (3.3 km), Heavy anti-aircraft battery (3.5 km), St brecan's chapel, st columb's chapel, domnach min-cluane. chapel & graveyard on earlier site (5 km).

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