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County Donegal
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| Attractions: Beltany Stone Circle Donegal Castle Doon Fort Glencolumbkille Glenveagh National Park Kilclooney More Lough Derg Slieve League |
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| Co. Donegal Dún na nGall Prov. Ulster Republic of Ireland |
| Major cities: Lifford, Ballyshannon, Donegal, Letterkenny, Castlefin, Kittybegs, Glenties, Ramelton, Culdaff, Moville, Carndonagh, Green Castle |
| Surface: 4,841 km2 Population: 137,383 |
County Donegal is in many aspects a bit of an outsider in the Republic of Ireland.
Most of the county borders on Northern Ireland, in fact the only physical link with the Republic of Ireland is a small strip of about 15 kilometres, just enough for two access roads. Consequently most visitors will enter Donegal from Northern Ireland.
Despite a transitional zone with shallow bog fields there is a world of difference between the appearance of County Donegal, with its sturdy foundation of a mixture of limestone and igneous rocks, and its southern neighbours. Instead the geology of the county bears a strong resemblance with the northern counties of Derry and Antrim.
From a historical point of view the county is also primarily linked with counties in Northern Ireland. The last Irish resident of Donegal Castle, Red Hugh O'Donnell, sparked what would become known as the Nine Years War or the Tyrone Rebellion. Until this very day the people of Donegal are concerned and involved in the struggle for an undivided Ireland to a degree unseen in other counties of the Republic of Ireland. Apart from the different course of history County Donegal shares one major historic event with other counties in the west of Ireland. The Great Famine stroke Donegal with the same relentless force as it did in Connacht and Munster.
To put it briefly: by its location, geology and history County Donegal is irrefutably an Ulster county and consequently by many people wrongfully associated with Northern Ireland.
Because County Donegal is literally the remote corner of Ireland it is not yet discovered by the average tourist. As long as it lasts Donegal gives you the opportunity to enjoy real Irish music, squeaking beds and most of all that cheep, greasy pub-grub which is almost banned from Ireland by health prophets and greedy investors. Some visitors might find it gratifying to hear that, for lack of tourists, the tourist season in County Donegal starts as late as July. More than in other counties the early-in-season visitor is rewarded with restfulness and punished by No Vacancies signs and closed restaurants. It's a individual consideration of the pros and cons, but we are the living proof that the human body can survive on a fish and chips diet for several days.
Due to the overall firm ground the hilly county provides excellent opportunities for both the experienced as the untrained hiker. Without too much effort they can indulge themselves in a scenery with a variety of shapes and colours and even if you follow one of the many marked hiking routes you can walk for hours without meeting an other human being. If you are walking in Glenveagh National Park you might run into one of the two large herds of red deer though. Also worth mentioning is the pilgrimage on the banks of Lough Derg.
Most ancient and historical sites are situated in the south of the county. Letterkenny, Donegal Town and, even more south, Ballyshannon are perfectly suited as operation base to explore the countryside and provide sufficient shopping opportunities for rainy days and entertainment for long nights. If offshore fishing or water sports are your game you might want to spent some time in Killybegs, the main fishing port of Ireland.
Large parts of County Donegal are Gaeltacht, which means that the main language is Irish Gaelic. Although only the most stubborn Irishman will persist in speaking Gaelic when addressed to in English you might want to reconsider your choice of navigation aid. Unless you instinctively translates An Glochán Liath on a signpost in Dunglow on a map we say: bilingual maps rules!
Dún na nGall
The name Donegal is derived from the Gaelic Dún na nGall, meaning Fort of the Foreigners. The identity of these foreigners is unknown and therefore subject of several theories, but the most likely candidates are Danish Vikings who established a stronghold on the banks of the River Eske. Records show that prior to their arrival the area was known as Tír Conaill, or Land of Conaill. Until this day the surname Tyrconnell indicates a Donegal ancestry.
Anyhow, the Irish regained the strategic bend in the river and built their own castle. Around the castle a lively town, now known as Donegal, emerged. In turn the town gave its name to the county, but surprisingly the title county capital was granted to Lifford.