Donegal

Donegal Dún na nGall
Location
Coordinates: 54°39′00″N 8°07′01″W / 54.650°N 8.117°W / 54.650; -8.117
Irish grid reference G924789
Statistics
Province:	Ulster
County:	County Donegal
Dáil Éireann:	Donegal South West
European Parliament:	North–West
Dialling code:	+353 74
Elevation:	32 m
Population (2006)	2,339[1]
Website: www.donegaltown.ie

Donegal (pronounced /ˈdɒnɨɡɔːl, ˌdɒnɨˈɡɔːl/; Irish: Dún na nGall)^[2] is a town in County Donegal, in the Province of Ulster, in Ireland. Donegal is not the county town (capital) of County Donegal, despite being its namesake, however until the early 17th century it was the capital of the larger former Kingdom and Principality of Tyrconnell. Rather, the county town is Lifford, and Letterkenny is the county's largest town. Donegal town is situated at the mouth of Donegal Bay, on the River Eske and is overshadowed by the Bluestack Mountains. The town is bypassed by the N15 and N56 roads. The Irish name translates into English as Fort of the Foreigners (Vikings).

History

There is evidence for settlements around the town dating back to prehistoric times including the remains of round forts and other earth works. There is a record of an early Danish fortress being destroyed by Muirchertach MacLochlainn, High King of Ireland in 1159. This Viking settlement is possibly the origin of the town's name.

Donegal castle showing keep built by the O'Donnell clan and wing added by Basil Brooke

Donegal Town itself is famous for being the former center of government of the once-ruling dynasty of O'Donnell of Tyrconnell, who played a pivotal role in Irish history, and whose original clan homeland lay further to the north in the area of Kilmacrenan. From the 15th to the 17th century, they provided the main opposition to the colonisation of Ireland by England. The town itself contains Donegal castle, on the banks of the River Eske and the remains of a Franciscan abbey which dates back to the 15th century on the Southern shore of the Bay. The Annals of the Four Masters are traditionally thought to have been started in the abbey in the early 17th century. The story of Red Hugh O'Donnell, Lord of Tyrconnell, was the inspiration behind many books and films, not least, Disney's The Fighting Prince of Donegal (1966).

After the Flight of the Earls in 1607 the castle and its lands were given to an English captain, Basil Brooke, as part of the Plantation of Ulster. Brooke carried out major reconstruction work and added a wing to the castle in the Jacobean style. The current plan of the town was also laid out including an attractive town square or Diamond. From the late 17th until the early 20th centuries, Donegal Town formed part of the vast estates of the Gore family (from 1762 Earls of Arran) and it while in their ownership that the town took on its present appearance. Donegal returned two members to the Irish Parliament until the Act of Union (1800). Evidence of the Irish Famine still exists including a workhouse, whose buildings are now part of the local hospital, and a famine grave.

Industry and tourism

Part of the Diamond in Donegal

There are many sandy beaches in the area of Donegal boasting good surfing conditions. Donegal is also used as a base for hill-walking in the nearby Bluestack Mountains. Despite the town's many hotels catering for visitors, it suffers from a lack of social amenities for its local population. Many have to travel to nearby towns such as Letterkenny for facilities like public swimming pools, cinemas and large shopping centres.^[3]

Traditionally the largest employer in the town has been[Magee of Donegal] [factory now reduced in size in Donegal Town and new one installed in northwest Africa], who are manufacturers of tweed garments, some of which could, in the past, be seen being woven by hand on small looms in the company's department store.^{[citation needed]} Like most clothing manufacturers in Ireland, the size of the workforce has been in decline for many years. Donegal also has a long tradition of weaving carpets. Donegal Carpets have been made in Killybegs for over one hundred years and have been found in Áras an Uachtaráin, Dublin Castle, the University of Notre Dame and the US White House.

Transport

The town is a stop on the three bus companies that operate in the county: the Bus Éireann service number 64 Derry/Galway route which makes several other stops including Letterkenny and Sligo (which allows for rail connections) and the number 30 Donegal/Dublin route which makes stops at other key towns such as Enniskillen (which provides connections to Belfast via Ulster Bus).^[4] Two private companies operate the other routes: 'McGeehan Bus' operate a regular service from West Donegal to Dublin Airport and the Busaras which passes through the town^[5]; while Feda O'Donnell Coaches (also known as Bus Feda) operates a regular Glenties/Galway service that stops in Donegal.^[6]

Donegal railway station opened on 16 September 1889 and finally closed on 1 January 1960.^[7] The site of the old station is now used by CIE as a bus depot while the actual building is the home of the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre.^[8]

Donegal has a small airport, Donegal Airport, for regional services offering flights to Dublin and Glasgow-Prestwick.^[9]

Sport

Donegal town centre at night.

Donegal town is home to many amateur sports clubs. The most popular sport in the area is Gaelic football and the local Gaelic Athletic Association club is The Four Masters.^[10] The club also has been developing hurling. Other popular sports include football, rugby union, basketball and athletics.

Donegal Town was host to the final stage of the World Rally Championship on Feb 1st 2009 and viewed to 68 million people worldwide.

Media

The town is home to the regional newspapers Donegal Democrat and Donegal Post and the local Donegal Times^[11] newspaper. Ocean FM, an independent regional radio station, has one of its three studios in the town, which broadcasts to most of south County Donegal.

Donegal Town was host to the final stage of the World Rally Championship on Feb 1st 2009 and viewed but 68 million people worldwide.

Donegal is mentioned in the song 'It's Long Way Home To Donegal' by the indie band Larrikin Love.

See also

• Abbey Vocational School
• List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Donegal)
• List of towns and villages in Ireland
• Anne Jane Thornton

References

External links

• Official town website
• Donegal Public Art

v • d • e Places in County Donegal, Ireland County seat: Lifford Incorporated towns1 Ballyshannon · Buncrana · Bundoran · Letterkenny Unincorporated towns2 Ballybofey · Carndonagh · Convoy · Donegal · Dungloe · Killybegs · Lifford · Moville · Ramelton · Raphoe · Stranorlar Villages3 Annagry · Ardara · Ballintra · Ballyliffin · Bridgend · Burtonport · Carrigans · Carrigart · Castlefin · Churchill · Cloghan · Clonmany · Creeslough · Doochary · Dunfanaghy · Dunkineely · Fahan · Falcarragh · Fintown · Frosses · Gartan · Glen · Glencolmcille · Glenties · Greencastle · Gweedore · Inver · Kerrykeel · Kilcar · Killea · Laghey · Lettermacaward · Loughanure · Malin · Manorcunningham · Milford · Mountcharles · Muff · Narin · Newtowncunningham · Pettigo · Portnablagh · Quigley's Point · Rathmullan · Rossnowlagh · St. Johnston · Teelin Townlands Ardagh · Bunbeg · Burt · Carnamoyle · Clonglash · Derrybeg · Downings · Drumardagh · Drumrainy · Gortahork · Kilmacrenan · Kincasslagh · Magheroarty · Portsalon · Ranafast · Termon · Urris Islands Arranmore · Glashedy · Gola · Inishbofin · Inishtrahull Island · Rotten Island · Rutland · Tory Island 1 A C.D.P. with defined boundaries.  2 A C.D.P. with undefined boundaries and a population above 1,000.  3 A C.D.P. with undefined boundaries and a population below 1,000.