Donegal

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This article is about the Irish town of Donegal. For other uses, see Donegal (disambiguation)

Donegal (Dún na nGall in Irish) is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. Donegal is not the county town (capital) of County Donegal, despite being its namesake. Rather, the county town is Lifford, and Letterkenny is the county's largest town. Donegal town is situated at the mouth of Donegal Bay and is overshadowed by the Bluestack Mountains. The town has been bypassed by the N15 and N56 roads. The Irish name translates into English as Fort of the Foreigners.

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 Murtagh Mac Lochlainn, High King of Ireland in 1159. This Viking settlement is possibly the origin of the town's name.

The 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 Jacobian 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.

Industry and tourism

The town is very popular during the summer months, and it is a gateway to the southern part of County Donegal. There are many fine, sandy beaches in the area boasting some of the best surfing conditions in Western Europe. Donegal is also used as a base for hill-walking in the nearby Bluestack Mountains. Despite the towns 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 Ballyshannon or Letterkenny for facilities like public swimming pools, cinemas and large shopping centres.

Traditionally the largest employer in the town has been Magee of Donegal. They are internationally known for their fine tweed garments, some of which can be seen being woven by hand on small looms in the company's department store. Like most clothing manufacturers in Ireland, the size of the workforce has been in decline for many years. In 2005 it was announced that the town's largest employer, the U.S. company Hospira, was closing down, resulting in the loss of 560 jobs. The plant was established by Abbott Laboratories in 1980. This was a huge blow to the town; it is estimated that it will cost the local economy €30 million.

Sport and media

Donegal town is home to many amateur sports clubs. The most popular sport in the area is Gaelic Football and the local GAA club is The Four Masters. The club also has been developing hurling. Other popular sports clubs include football, rugby, basketball and athletics.

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

See also

• List of towns in the Republic of Ireland

External links

• [Official website]
• [Donegal Democrat]
• [Donegal Times]
• [Four Masters GAA club]
• [Donegal Town RFC]

 

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