Introduction to Donegal
Donegal has sandy beaches, sugared mountains, chattering streams and silent valleys. With plenty of fishing, golfing, surfing and walking available, it is the perfect place to get away from it all. There are many pleasant restaurants in which to sample the fresh food available in this county. The county's link to history is strong and the Ring Fort of the O'Neill Clan, former King of Ireland, rests atop a 240m hill where the vista is stunning. The Triona Design Centre shows how 'Donegal Tweed' is prepared, one of the many cottage industries in the area.
A Brief History of Donegal
here 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 Town itself is famous for being the former home to the O'Donnell clan, who played a pivotal role in Irish history. 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 and the remains of a Franciscan abbey which dates back to the 15th century. 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 Tyrconnel, 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. Evidence of the Irish Famine still exists including a workhouse, whose buildings are now part of the local hospital, and a famine grave.
Areas of Interest in Donegal
Donegal Ancestry
The Donegal Ancestry Centre is situated in a beautiful restored quayside building. It has an exhibition entitled 'The Ramelton Story' focusing on several themes including the geology and geography of the area, the early Christian and medieval period, the ruling Gaelic O'Donnell's, the plantation of Ramelton, Georgian Ramelton. These themes are portrayed through Story Boards, Audio-Visual, Exhibits and Artefacts and a beautifully scaled model of Ramelton town. In the adjoining building is Donegal's county genealogy centre with a database of almost 750,000 records and trained researchers to help people trace their Donegal ancestors.
Type of Research Reports:
Raphoe Castle
The Castle is dating back to 1637 and is one of the most impressive buildings in Co. Donegal Visit the Church of Ireland Cathedral which is located on the site of the monastery founded by Adomnán, who wrote the 'Life of Columba' in the late seventh century, or the Bishops Palace (to have survived from the 17th century.
An tSean Bheairic
This authentic two-story building was originally constructed in 1890 as the Falcarragh Police Barracks and used as such until 1920 when it became the Falcarragh Garda Station.
Here at the Donegal's Visitor Resource Centre, you can immerse yourself in the lives of our rural ancestors from Falcarragh and its surrounding region. Falcarragh, one of the last remaining Gaeltacht regions in Donegal is a market town, and is set in the very heart of the Parish of Cloughaneely.
Language, culture, heritage, history and memories of our ancestor's lifestyles are depicted amidst artefacts and exhibits along with the tools used while working the land.
Permanent exhibition of the history and culture of the barracks are displayed within the visitor centre, which adds to the uniqueness and authenticity of the centre. Other facilities include information centre, craft and coffee shop, conference facilities, educational facilities and audio-visual presentation.
Glencolmcille County Donegal
Glencolmcille is a scenic valley in West Donegal which has 2 ecclesiastical foundations attributed to Colmcille. Annually on June 9th through July and August the area hosts barefoot pilgrimages to the numerous ancient pillars and cross slabs attributed to Colmcille's conservation of pagans to Christians and his banishing of the devils.
Kilclooney Dolmen
An exceptionally fine portal-tome or dolmen, prominent on the skyline 1/4 mile to the east of the main road, 4 miles north-north-west of Ardara. It well displays the classic features from which this type of monument derives its name.
The matched portal stones and gracefully uptilted capstone (nearly 20 feet long and one of the largest in Ireland) oversailing the chamber entrance convey a sense of architectural awareness on the part of the builders and its streamlined profile has inspired numerous analogies; a bird, a fish, Concord, etc. depending on the imagination of the observer. The tomb is substantially complete. A low sill-stone set between the 6 feet high portals closes off the chamber entrance. The lower end of the capstone does not rest directly on the back-stone as is usually the case, but is supported instead by a small intermediate stone whose function may have been to give increased height to the chamber. Fragments of undecorated Neolithic pottery were the only recorded finds.
A short distance west of this tomb is another similar construction but on a very much smaller scale. It is now partly collapsed. A modern field wall separates the two, which were evidently mounded over by the same east-facing cairn, traces of which remain.
St. Columb's
Built in the early 19th century for the Church of Ireland Rector St. Columbs overlooks the shores of Lough Gartan. Mature trees surround the house, there are notable specimens of Beech and Chestnut. The House and Grounds were transformed into a haven of artisitic beauty by the late Derek Hill who planted many rare and unusual trees and shrubs. Very good Betula's such as B. utilis, 'Pendula' and B. albosinensis septentrionalis, fastigiate Oak and Beech. Good specimens of Hydrangea villosa, Hyrangea sargentiana together with naturalistic herbaceous planting.
Traditional Music and Craic in Donegal