Donegal ( Dun na nGall )

The name Donegal comes from the Irish ‘Dun na nGall’ meaning fort of the foreigner. Ireland’s most northerly county has little in common with its neighbours in the Republic, either geographically or historically.

Donegal's supreme appeal lies in the natural beauty of its coast, with windswept peninsulas, precipitous cliffs and a host of golden beaches that rival any in Europe.

Blanket bogs, now rare in the world, cover much of the county. Donegal has been occupied by humans for over 9,000 years and is renowned for its history and archaeology. Pre-Christian farmers left tomb monuments which still dot the county, while evidence of Viking settlements can be seen in Raphoe and Donegal town.

Christianity had a profound influence in Donegal and many early Christian monuments can be seen today. These include churches and religious sites commemorating St. Colmcille, the Donegal man who converted Scotland to Christianity.

To the south, Lough Derg is a famous pilgrimage site while Donegal town has a Franciscan monastery dating from the early 17th century. Letterkenny, Donegal’s ecclesiastical and administrative headquarters, is home to St. Eunan’s Cathedral.

Surrounded by mountains and sea, Donegal has preserved its Gaelic culture and language longer than most places. Today, that language and culture remain strong in its extensive Gaeltacht area stretching from Fanad Head to Slieve League.

Fishing and tweed production are Donegal’s major industries, with exports world-wide. The county's friendly people, lively pubs and fine restaurants all add to the charm of Donegal.

County Donegal in the North West of Ireland, celebrates its beauty with no end to its wild landscapes. To the north, immense deserted beaches, broken landscapes with the peninsula of Fanad Head. Towards the West is the Gaeltacht and the Rosses and the superb sights around the Errigal Mountains and Muckish Mountains. In the south-west, the port of Killybegs, the folk village of Glencolumbkille and Slieve League - the highest maritime cliffs of Europe. Not forgetting, the weaving of Donegal in the small village of Ardara.

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 Grianan Aileach Centre tells the story of the fort and there is a more modern Glenveagh Castle in Glenveagh National Park. The Triona Design Centre shows how ‘Donegal Tweed’ is prepared, one of the many cottage industries in the area.

No visit to Donegal is complete without a trip to one or other of the islands, and ferries generally run all through the summer months, but be sure to check in advance as the Irish weather (especially in the exposed and occasionally sub-arctic northwest!) can at times render the ferries useless. And airborne. Tory Island is especially isolated, but the trip is worth it. Then back to the mainland to recover from the seasickness and take time to appreciate the friendliness - and stability (it's all relative - ed.) - of the pub, where traditional music will more likely than not be provided along with your pint.

Donegal County Council

HOSPITALS

Carndonagh Community Hospital
Carndonagh, Co. Donegal
Tel: 077 74164

Donegal Community Hospital
Ballybofey Road, Donegal
Tel: 073 21019

Dungloe District Hospital
Dungloe, Co. Donegal
Tel: 075 21044

Killybegs Community Hospital
Donegal Road, Killybegs, Co. Donegal
Tel: 073 32044

Letterkenny General Hospital
Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Tel: 074 25888

Lifford Community Hospital
Lifford, Co. Donegal
Tel: 074 41033

Sheil Hospital
College Street, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal
Tel: 072 51300

St. Conal's Psychiatric Hospital
Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Tel: 074 21022

St. Joseph's Hospital
Stranorlar, Co. Donegal
Tel: 074 31038

ESTATE AGENTS

McElhinney Properties
Main Street
Milford
Co. Donegal
Phone : (074) 9153414
Fax : (074) 9153408
E-Mail : mcelhinneyproperties@eircom.net

McElhinney, John & Sons
Main Street
Bundoran
Co. Donegal
Phone : (071) 9841261
Fax : (071) 9841924
E-Mail : mcelhinneyauct@eircom.net
Website : http://www.iavi.ie/propertyireland/mmcelhinney

Meehan, Sean & Co.
Main Street
Bundoran
Co. Donegal
Phone : (071) 9841351
Fax : (071) 9841090
E-Mail : cjmeehan@iol.ie
Website : http://www.iavi.ie/propertyireland/smeehan/

Sherry FitzGerald Rainey
Canal House
Lower Main Street
Letterkenny
Co. Donegal
Phone : (074) 9122211
Fax : (074) 9122212
E-Mail : property@sfr.ie
 

THINGS TO DO

Donegal County Museum