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Donegal (town)

Coordinates:54°39′14″N8°06′36″W/ 54.654°N 8.110°W/54.654; -8.110
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Donegal
Dún na nGall
Town
Donegal Town, as seen from Drumroosk East
Donegal Town, as seen from Drumroosk East
Coat of arms of Donegal
Coat of arms
Donegal is located in Ireland
Donegal
Donegal
Location in Ireland
Coordinates:54°39′14″N8°06′36″W/ 54.654°N 8.110°W/54.654; -8.110
CountryIreland
ProvinceUlster
CountyCounty Donegal
BaronyTirhugh
Dáil ÉireannDonegal
Area
• Town2.8 km2(1.1 sq mi)
Elevation
32 m (105 ft)
Population
(2022)[1]
• Density967.4/km2(2,506/sq mi)
•Urban
2,749
Time zoneUTC±0(WET)
• Summer (DST)UTC+1(IST)
Eircoderouting key
F94
Telephone area code+353(0)74
Irish Grid ReferenceG924789
Websitewww.donegaltown.ie

Donegal(/ˌdʌniˈɡɔːl,ˌdɒn-/DUN-ee-GAWL,DON-;Irish:Dún na nGall[ˈd̪ˠuːnˠn̪ˠəˈŋal̪ˠ],"fort of the foreigners" )[2]is a town inCounty DonegalinUlster,the northernprovincein Ireland. Although Donegal gave its name to the county, nowLiffordis thecounty town.[3]From the 15th until the early 17th century, Donegal was the "capital" ofTyrconnell,aGaelickingdom controlled by theO'Donnell dynastyof theNorthern Uí Néill.[4]

Donegal is in South Donegal and is located at the mouth of theRiver EskeandDonegal Bay,which is overshadowed by theBlue Stack Mountains( "the Croaghs" ). TheDrumenny Burn,which flows along the eastern edge of Donegal Town, flows into the River Eske on the north-eastern edge of the town, between the Community Hospital and The Northern Garage. TheBallybofeyRoad (theR267) crosses the Drumenny Burn near where it flows into the River Eske. The town is bypassed by theN15andN56roads.The centre of the town, known asThe Diamond,is a hub for music, poetic and cultural gatherings in the area. There is a memorial to theFour Mastersin the centre of the Diamond.[5]

History[edit]

Donegal Abbeywas founded by KingHugh Roe O'Donnellin 1474
Approaching Donegal Town by sea

There is archaeological evidence for settlements around the town dating toprehistoric times,including the remains ofringfortsand other defensive earthworks.

Donegal Town itself is famous for being the former centre of government of the O'Donnell dynasty, the greatGaelicroyal family who ruled Tyrconnell in westUlsterfor centuries and who played a pivotal role in Irish history. Their original homeland lay further to the north in the area ofKilmacrennan.From the 15th to the 17th century, they were an important part of the opposition to the colonisation of Ireland by England. The town itself containsDonegal Castle,on the banks of theRiver Eske,and the remains ofDonegal Abbey,aFranciscanabbey which dates back to the15th centuryon the Southern shore of the Bay. TheAnnals of the Four Mastersmay have been partially written in the old abbey in the 1630s. The story ofHugh Roe O'Donnell,Lord ofTyrconnell,was the inspiration behind many books and films, not least,Disney'sThe Fighting Prince of Donegal.

In 1601 theSiege of Donegaltook place during theNine Years' War.After theFlight of the Earlsfrom nearRathmullanin September 1607, the castle and its lands were seized by theEnglish Crownand given to an Englishman,CaptainBasil Brooke, as part of thePlantation of Ulster.Captain (laterSir) Basil Brooke (ancestor of theViscounts Brookeborough) was granted the castle around 1611 and he proceeded to carry out major reconstruction work and added a wing to the castle in theJacobean style.The current plan of the town was also laid out by Brooke, including an attractivetown squareknown asThe Diamond.From the late 17th until the early 20th centuries, Donegal Town formed part of the vast estates of the Gore family (from 1762Earls of Arranin thePeerage of Ireland) and it was during their ownership that the town took on its present appearance.[citation needed]Donegal Boroughreturned two members to theIrish House of Commons,the lower house of theParliament of Ireland,until theActs of Union 1800came into force in January 1801. Evidence of theGreat Faminestill exists, including aworkhouse,whose buildings are now part of the local hospital, and many famine graves.

Buildings of note[edit]

TheChurch of Irelandat night in Donegal Town.

Donegal Castle[edit]

Donegal Castlewas the stronghold of the O'Donnells.[6]It has been restored by theOffice of Public Works.[7]

St. Patrick's Church of the Four Masters[edit]

Dedicated to Saint Patrick and"the Four Masters",thisCatholic churchwas built in the early 1930s and was completed in 1935.[8]Known locally as "the Chapel" or "the Town Chapel", it was designed by Ralph Byrne, the famous Dublin architect, in a mixed neo-Irish Romanesque and neo-Gothic style.[9]

Donegal Parish Church[edit]

ThisChurch of Irelandchurch was built in a simple Gothic style mainly in the late 1820s and was completed in 1828. The main church appears to have been designed by a Mr Graham of Donegal Town. Achancelwas added in 1890.[10]The chancel of 1890 was designed by the office of J. Guy Ferguson inDerryand built in a neo-Gothic style by James McClean builders fromStrabane.

Industry and tourism[edit]

Donegal town centre at night

There are many sandy beaches in the area of Donegal, such as Murvagh beach, and some boasting goodsurfingconditions, such asRossnowlagh.Donegal is also used as a base for hill-walking in the nearbyBlue Stack Mountains.The town has many hotels catering for visitors, and nearby towns such asLetterkennyoffer public swimming pools, cinemas and large shopping centres.[11]

Like most clothing manufacturers in Ireland, the size of the workforce has been in decline for many years. Some of the clothing manufacturers have survived by focusing on one particular item of clothing. For example, tailor David Hanna, who started making suits for the locals in 1924, switched to making only hats in 1964 and is now shipping them all over the world.[12][13]Donegal also has a long tradition of weaving carpets.Donegal Carpetshave been made inKillybegsfor over one hundred years and have been found inÁras an Uachtaráin,theUniversity of Notre Dameand theWhite House.[citation needed]

On 1 December 2016,National Geographic Travellernamed Donegal as the number 1 coolest destination of 2017. According to Pat Riddell, editor of the UK magazine, "It's a warm-hearted place, but wilderness always feels just a stone's throw away. And it is wilderness... world-class wilderness. We think it's due a big year."[14]

Transport[edit]

The Abbey Hotel in the Diamond

TheBus Éireannservice number 64Derry/Galwayroute: this makes several other stops includingLetterkennyandSligo(which allows for rail connections byIarnród Éireann,fromSligo Mac Diarmada railway stationin Sligo toDublin Connolly railway station).[15]This route also allows for rail connections fromWaterside Railway Stationin Derry toBelfast Grand Central,viaColeraine.The number 30 Donegal Town/Dublinroute which makes stops at other key towns such asEnniskillen(which provides connections to Belfast viaUlsterbus).[16]The number 490Glencolmcille/Donegal route which makes stops in Carrick,Kilcar,Killybegs andMountcharles.[17]The number 492 Dungloe/Donegal route connectsDungloeto Donegal, with stops inGlenties,Ardaraand Killybegs.[18]

The other public bus service,TFI Local Link,provides numerous routes for Donegal, including Route 292 toBallyshannon,[19]Route 293 to Glencolmcille[20]and Route 994 to Portnoo.[21]Route 264 from Ballyshannon to Letterkenny also has a stop in Donegal.[22]

Private bus operator, Feda O'Donnell Coaches (also known as Bus Feda), operates 2 Donegal/Galway routes: a regular fromCrollyto Galway via Letterkenny and Donegal, and a Monday/Sunday service from Glenties to Galway that stops in Donegal.[23]Bus Feda has also operates 2 services to Limerick via Letterkenny and Donegal, with stops in Sligo,KnockandTuam.On Fridays during the college term it has a regular service toLimerick City,and on Sundays during term it also has stops atUniversity of Limerick,TUS LimerickMoylish Campus andMary Immaculate College.[24][25]

Donegal railway stationopened on 16 September 1889 and finally closed on 1 January 1960.[26]The site of the old station is now used byCIÉas a bus depot while the actual building is the home of theDonegal Railway Centre.[27]

Sport[edit]

Donegal town is home to many amateur sports clubs. The most popular sport in the area isGaelic footballand the localGAAclub isFour Masters.[28]The club also has been developinghurling.Other popular sports includeassociation football,[29]rugby union,[30]basketball[31]andtrack and field.[32]

Donegal Town was host to the final stage of theWorld Rally Championshipon 1 February 2009.[33]

Media[edit]

The town is home to the regional newspapersDonegal Democrat[34]andDonegal Post,[35][36]and previously the localDonegal Timesnewspaper.[37]TheNorthwest Expressregional newspaper is also distributed throughout the town and surrounding county,[38]as isThe Derry Journal.Ocean FM,an independent local radio station fromCollooneyinCounty Sligo,has one of its three studios in the town, which broadcasts to most of south County Donegal.[39]Highland Radio,which is based inLetterkenny,can also be received in the town.[40]

Notable people[edit]

Historical

Modern

Climate[edit]

Climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. TheKöppen climate classificationsubtype for this climate is "Cfb"(Marine West Coast Climate/Oceanic climate).

Climate data for Donegal
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 8
(46) 		7
(45) 		9
(48) 		10
(50) 		13
(55) 		15
(59) 		16
(61) 		17
(62) 		15
(59) 		13
(55) 		10
(50) 		8
(47) 		12
(53)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 3
(38) 		3
(37) 		4
(39) 		5
(41) 		7
(45) 		9
(49) 		11
(52) 		11
(52) 		10
(50) 		8
(47) 		5
(41) 		4
(40) 		7
(44)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 110
(4.5) 		76
(3) 		86
(3.4) 		58
(2.3) 		58
(2.3) 		64
(2.5) 		71
(2.8) 		91
(3.6) 		100
(4) 		120
(4.7) 		110
(4.5) 		100
(4.1) 		1,060
(41.6)
Average precipitation days 19 13 16 12 12 13 13 15 16 18 18 18 183
Source: Weatherbase[43]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Population Density and Area Size 2022".Central Statistics Office (Ireland).Retrieved17 May2024.
  2. ^"Dún na nGall/Donegal".logainm.ie.
  3. ^Duffy, Connie (13 February 2020)."New map of Lifford to be launched tomorrow".donegallive.ie.Retrieved25 March2024.Lifford is the county town of County Donegal, Ireland.
  4. ^"Donegal Town Marks its 550th Birthday Next Year".Donegal County Council.Retrieved25 March2024.Its origins can be traced back to 1474, when Lady Nuala O'Donnell established a Franciscan Abbey on the shores of Donegal Bay. Around the same time, her husband Red Hugh O'Donnell the First, Lord of Tir Chonaill founded Donegal Castle. The Town of Donegal grew up around these two great buildings and became the capital of Tir Chonaill. Under the O'Donnell Lords, who were treated as sovereign princes by the Kings of France, Spain and Scotland, Donegal Town was like the capital of an independent country for 130 years.
  5. ^"Four Masters Memorial, The Diamond, DONEGAL, Donegal, DONEGAL".Buildings of Ireland.Retrieved25 March2024.Freestanding four-sided obelisk/memorial, erected 1934, having cruciform-plan capping/finials to top with gabled/triangular projection to the centre of each face. Constructed of ashlar sandstone and set on ashlar sandstone plinth with chamfered ashlar sandstone coping over. Inscribed with names of authors of the Annals of the Four Masters to base; inscribed Celtic cross motif and Celtic interlacing motifs to each face and having Celtic interlacing motif to each gabled projection. Located in the pedestrianised central square in the centre of the Diamond, Donegal Town.
  6. ^"Donegal Castle • History • Visitor Information 2024".Tuatha.2 June 2022.Retrieved25 March2024.Donegal Castle was the former stronghold of the O'Donnells of Tirconell and remains an imposing landmark in Donegal Town.
  7. ^"Donegal Castle • History • Visitor Information 2024".Tuatha.2 June 2022.Retrieved25 March2024.By the 18th century, Donegal Castle had been abandoned as a residence and so it began to fall into disrepair and ruin. It came into the possession of the Office of Public Works in 1898 and the O'Donnell Tower has been largely restored. The interior has many interesting period features and an exhibition details the history of the castle and the region.
  8. ^Alistair John Rowan,The Buildings of Ireland:North West Ulster(popularly known as thePevsner Guideto North West Ulster), p. 238.Yale,London, 2003 (originally published byPenguin,London, 1979).
  9. ^Alistair John Rowan,The Buildings of Ireland:North West Ulster(popularly known as thePevsner Guideto North West Ulster), p. 238. Yale, London, 2003 (originally published by Penguin, London, 1979).
  10. ^Alistair Rowan,The Buildings of Ireland: North West Ulster(popularly known as thePevsner Guideto North West Ulster), p. 238.Yale,London, 2003 (originally published byPenguin,London, 1979).
  11. ^Letterkenny Information- Letterkenny Reunion, Earagail Arts festival, Donegal rally, St Patricks DayArchived24 May 2009 at theWayback Machine.Letterkennyhomes (18 August 2008). Retrieved on 23 July 2013.
  12. ^"Heritage".
  13. ^Wild Atlantic Way, National Geographic Traveller, August 30, 2017, p.15
  14. ^Digby, Marie Claire (1 December 2016)."Donegal named coolest place on planet by National Geographic".The Irish Times.Retrieved1 December2016.
  15. ^"64-1659602812.pdf"(PDF).Bus Éireann.24 July 2022.Retrieved25 March2024.
  16. ^"30-X30-1669032698.pdf"(PDF).Bus Éireann.24 January 2023.Retrieved25 March2024.
  17. ^"490-1702399417.pdf"(PDF).Bus Éireann.10 December 2023.Retrieved25 March2024.
  18. ^"911.pdf"(PDF).Bus Éireann.Retrieved25 March2024.
  19. ^"292-Ballyshannon-to-Donegal-Town.jpg"(JPG).Local Link Donegal-Sligo-Leitrim.Retrieved17 August2023.
  20. ^"126482 SITT TT 293 Glencolmcille to Donegal Town"(PDF).Local Link Donegal-Sligo-Leitrim.Retrieved17 August2023.
  21. ^"994-Portnoo-to-Donegal-Town.jpg"(JPG).Local Link Donegal-Sligo-Leitrim.Retrieved17 August2023.
  22. ^"264-updated-2.pdf"(PDF).Local Link Donegal-Sligo-Leitrim.Retrieved17 August2023.
  23. ^"Donegal to Galway Bus Routes | Daily".Busfeda.Retrieved17 August2023.
  24. ^"Donegal-Sligo-Mayo-to-Limerick-Timetable.pdf"(PDF).Bus Feda.Retrieved25 March2024.
  25. ^"Limerick Direct Bus Routes | Bus Feda Donegal".Busfeda.Retrieved25 March2024.Bus Feda now operate a luxury bus service from Donegal, Sligo and Mayo to Limerick, dropping off at the University of Limerick, TUS Limerick Moylish Campus and MIC Mary Immaculate College on Sundays during the college term. We also operate a luxury bus service from Limerick to Mayo, Sligo and Donegal on Fridays during college term. We travel to Limerick via the new M17 & M18 motorway from Tuam direct to Limerick which allows us to complete the journey up to 3 hours quicker than the alternative company.
  26. ^"Donegal station"(PDF).Railscot – Irish Railways.Retrieved23 September2007.
  27. ^County Donegal Railway Restoration Ltd. homepage
  28. ^"About the Club".fourmastersgaa.Retrieved25 March2024.Four Masters G.A.A. Club is based in the parishes of Townawilly and Killymard, Donegal Town. Four Masters is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in County Donegal with its origins dated back to 1905 when the club was first founded under the name "Ball Dearg Hurling and Football Club".
  29. ^McLaughlin, Rachel (3 August 2023)."Donegal soccer club to benefit from Texaco support grant".Donegal Daily.Retrieved25 March2024.Donegal Town FC has been chosen as one of the recipients of a €125,000 funding initiative.
  30. ^"ABOUT".Donegal Town RFC.Retrieved25 March2024.Donegal Town RFC are proud of the fact that they are the longest established club in County Donegal having been founded in 1973 by a small group of rugby enthusiasts at a meeting in the National Hotel in Donegal Town.
  31. ^McNulty, Chris (2 March 2020)."Basketball - Away win sees Donegal Town crowned League champions".Donegal Daily.Retrieved25 March2024.DONEGAL Town Basketball Club became League champions with a victory away to Athlone IT on Friday night.
  32. ^"About Tir Chonaill AC".Tir Chonaill AC.Retrieved25 March2024.The club caters for athletes from 8 years old upwards, the oldest member being 68 years of age and for Juveniles, Seniors, Masters, Joggers, Walkers, Tri-Athletes and Fit4Life covering such events as Track & Field Athletics, Road Running, Cross-Country Running, Triathlon, Walking and Hiking in three different areas: Donegal Town, Glenties & Carrick.
  33. ^"Cross-border counties to host start of World Rally".Irish Examiner.29 October 2008.Retrieved25 March2024.Competitors will drive through Leitrim, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Sligo, and Roscommon before the final stage, in Donegal on February 1, is broadcast live worldwide.
  34. ^"MediaLive - Regional Press - Donegal Democrat (Thursday)".medialive.ie.Retrieved25 March2024.ADDRESS:Quay Street, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal.
  35. ^"MediaLive - Regional Press - Donegal Post".medialive.ie.Retrieved25 March2024.ADDRESS:Quay Street, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal.
  36. ^"Donegal Post Magazine - Get your Digital Subscription".Magzter.Retrieved25 March2024.We have the best team of journalists in Donegal Town covering the latest breaking news, sport and features. If it is happening in Donegal it is happening in the Donegal Post.
  37. ^"No further issues of Donegal Times newspaper will be published".donegallive.ie.25 September 2017.Retrieved25 March2024.There will be no further issues of the Donegal Times newspaper published. First published in 1989, the Donegal Times came out on a bi-weekly basis. It was based in Donegal Town. The decision follows the sudden recent death of the editor/owner of the newspaper, Liam Hyland.
  38. ^"northwest express | LinkedIn".Retrieved25 March2024– viaLinkedIn.we publish a weekly free newspaper which is distributed throughout Sligo, Mayo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Galway, Fermanagh, Donegal.
  39. ^"Home".Ocean FM.25 March 2024.Retrieved25 March2024.Ocean FM. Your local radio station serving Sligo, North Leitrim and South Donegal. North West Business Park, Co.Sligo.
  40. ^"How to Listen".Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.Retrieved25 March2024.Highland Radio is available across the North West. You should get the best quality signal by tuning to the transmitter site closest to you: North Donegal 103.3fm, West Donegal 95.2fm / 102.6fm, Inishowen 104.5fm / 104.7fm, South Donegal 104.7fm
  41. ^Britton, Matt (1 July 2012)."Tom Conaghan: A farmer, a Mayor and above all, a father".Donegal Democrat.Retrieved6 December2023.Tom speaks about his early days growing up in Donegal Town in the 50's... 'I was a 'townie' born and reared on the Main Street...
  42. ^Breslin, Conor."Tom Conaghan announces his retirement from Donegal County Council".donegallive.ie.Retrieved25 March2024.
  43. ^ "Weatherbase".Weatherbase. 2013. Retrieved on 12 July 2013.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toDonegal.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide forDonegal.
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