Donegal
Dún na nGall | |
|---|---|
Town | |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Donegal_Town_seen_from_Drumroosk_East_-_geograph.org.uk_-_3027117.jpg) Donegal Town, as seen from Drumroosk East | |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Donegal_Town_COA_3d.svg) Coat of arms | |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Ireland_adm_location_map.svg)  Donegal Location in Ireland | |
| Coordinates: 54°39′14″N 8°06′36″W / 54.654°N 8.110°W | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Ulster |
| County | County Donegal |
| Barony | Tirhugh |
| Dáil Éireann | Donegal |
| Area | |
• Town | 2.8 km2 (1.1 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 32 m (105 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Density | 967.4/km2 (2,506/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 2,749 |
| Time zone | UTC±0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (IST) |
| Eircode routing key | F94 |
| Telephone area code | +353(0)74 |
| Irish Grid Reference | G924789 |
| Website | www |
Donegal (/ˌdʌniˈɡɔːl, ˌdɒn-/ DUN-ee-GAWL, DON-; Irish: Dún na nGall [ˈd̪ˠuːnˠ n̪ˠə ˈŋal̪ˠ], "fort of the foreigners")[2] is a town in County Donegal in Ulster, the northern province in Ireland. Although Donegal gave its name to the county, now Lifford is the county town.[3] From the 15th until the early 17th century, Donegal was the "capital" of Tyrconnell, a Gaelic kingdom controlled by the O'Donnell dynasty of the Northern Uí Néill.[4]
Donegal is in South Donegal and is located at the mouth of the River Eske and Donegal Bay, which is overshadowed by the Blue Stack Mountains ("the Croaghs"). The Drumenny 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. The Ballybofey Road (the R267) crosses the Drumenny Burn near where it flows into the River Eske. The town is bypassed by the N15 and N56 roads. The centre of the town, known as The Diamond, is a hub for music, poetic and cultural gatherings in the area. There is a memorial to the Four Masters in the centre of the Diamond.[5]
- ^ "Population Density and Area Size 2022". Central Statistics Office (Ireland). Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ "Dún na nGall/Donegal". logainm.ie.
- ^ Duffy, Connie (13 February 2020). "New map of Lifford to be launched tomorrow". www.donegallive.ie. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
Lifford is the county town of County Donegal, Ireland.
- ^ "Donegal Town Marks its 550th Birthday Next Year". Donegal County Council. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
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.
- ^ "Four Masters Memorial, The Diamond, DONEGAL, Donegal, DONEGAL". Buildings of Ireland. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
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.