A 14th century tower house in Co Donegal - described as a "priceless artefact" and due to be sold at auction online today - has been bought by a private buyer for an undisclosed sum.
O'Doherty's Keep in Buncrana had been put up for sale by its owners, descendants of the O'Doherty Clan, who had a vision to restore it as a visitor attraction but felt they had exhausted all avenues in terms of funding and support to realise their ambition.
Auctioneer Dara Furey said they were also of an age that they felt it was time to pass it to the next generation of guardians.
The keep, which belonged to the O'Doherty clan, Lords of Inishowen from the 1300s to 1608, was burned by Crown forces in 1608 retaliation for the sacking and burning of Derry by Cahir O'Doherty.
It is one of a small number of O'Doherty castles still standing in varying conditions in Inishowen.
Attracting national and international attention when it was put up for sale, a call was made by local Councillor Jack Murray for Donegal County Council to buy it.
Cllr Murray highlighted the fact that it is located at the entrance to the council-owned Swan Park and he said that given the huge historical significance of O'Doherty's Keep, it was an opportunity the council should not miss.
The asking price was €175,000 and the building, with one-third of an acre of land, was due to go to auction at midday today.
However, Mr Furey confirmed that the lot was withdrawn from auction this morning after being sold to a private buyer from Derry.
Mr Furey said the price for which it was sold is private but that all concerned are happy with the outcome.
