Donoyle castle was defended by a woman, Lady Giles FitzGerald,
the wife of Lord John Power, and the daughter of John FitzGerald, of Dromana, Lord of the Decies.
It is not known whether Lady FitzGerald rode to Donoyle after her husband's death
and the destruction of Kilmeadan, or, if because it was the stronger fortress,
she was already in command of the castle.
Either way, it is an extraordinary story.