Cahir O'Doherty

He restored Fort Culmore and took Derry, destroyed all the churches, the stones of which were used for building fortifications, and left standing only the tower of the cathedral, which remained until after the siege.

In 1608, Sir Cahir O'Doherty of Inishowen, who at first had favoured the settlement, rebelled, took Culmore Fort and burnt Derry.

His death and the flight of the Earls Tyrone and Tyrconnell to France left Derry and other vast possessions to English confiscation, over 200,000 acres alone falling to the citizens of London.

The walls were built in 1609 and still remain in good condition, being used as a promenade.

It is surrounded by a bawn or castle yard defended by a high wall with round towers at intervals.

The rock on which it stands is not very high but from its almost insulated position it was difficult to approach.

It was garrisoned by Captain Vaughan for Queen Elizabeth but was betrayed to the followers of Sir Cahir O'Doherty.

It was besieged in 1608 and Davis says, being the strongest in Tyrconnell it endured one hundred blows of the demi-cannon before it surrendered.