History of County Donegal, Ireland

The modern County Donegal was shired by order of the English Crown in 1585.
Full control over the new County Donegall was only achieved after the Flight of the Earls in September 1607.
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1837 - Donegal County
DONEGAL (County of), a maritime county of the province of ULSTER, bounded on the east and south-east by the counties of Londonderry, Tyrone, and Fermanagh, from the first-named of which it is separated by Lough Foyle; on the south, by the northern extremity of the county of Leitrim and by Donegal bay, and on the west and north by the Atlantic. It extends from 54° 28' to 55° 20' (N. Lat), and from 6° 48' to 8° 40' (W. Lon.); comprising, according to the Ordnance survey, a surface of 1,165,107 statute acres, of which 520,736 are cultivated land, and 644,371 unimproved mountain and bog. The population, in 1821, was 248,270, and in 1831, 291,104.

In the time of Ptolemy it was inhabited by the Vennicnii and the Rhobogdii, the latter of whom also occupied part of the county of Londonderry. The Promontorium Vennicnium of this geographer appears to have been Ram's Head or Horn Head, near Dunfanaghy; and the Promontorium Rhobogdium, Malin Head, the most northern point of the ... Read MORE...

County Donegal was one of the worst affected parts of Ulster during the Great Famine of the late 1840s in Ireland.
Vast swathes of the county were devastated by this catastrophe, many areas becoming permanently depopulated. Vast numbers of County Donegal's people emigrated at this time, chiefly through Foyle Port.
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1895 - County Donegal
Donegal, don-e-gawl', a county of Ireland, in Ulster, having E. and S. the counties of Londonderry, Tyrone, and Fermanagh, and on other sides Donegal Bay and the Atlantic. Area, 1870 square miles, one-third arable. Surface mountainous; principal rivers, the Swilly and Leenan, Shores greatly indented, and the county contains Loughs Swilly and Mulroy, with Sheephaven, Gweedore, Guibarra, and Lochrus Bays, and many islands off the coast. The inland lakes are numerous; the largest is Lough Derg. Principal towns, Ballyshannon and Letterkenny, with the ports of Ramelton, Donegal, and Killybegs. The county sends two members to the House of Commons. Capital, Lifford. Pop. in 1871, 218,334; in 1891, 185,211.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

The Partition of Ireland in the early 1920s had a massive direct impact on County Donegal.
Derry, together with west Tyrone, was henceforward in a new, different jurisdiction officially called Northern Ireland. Partition also meant that County Donegal was now almost entirely cut off from the rest of the jurisdiction in which it now found itself, the new dominion called the Irish Free State, which in April 1949 became the Republic of Ireland.
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2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in County Donegal:
Slieve League Cliffs: These towering sea cliffs are among the highest in Europe, offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. Hiking to the top is a must for any visitor.

Glenveagh National Park: This national park is a haven for nature lovers. Explore the pristine wilderness, visit Glenveagh Castle, and take in the serene beauty of Lough Veagh.

Donegal Castle: Located in the heart of Donegal Town, this well-preserved castle dates back to the 15th century and is a fascinating glimpse into the county's history.

Glenveagh Castle: Another impressive castle in the county, Glenveagh Castle sits amidst beautiful gardens and overlooks Lough Veagh. Take a guided tour to learn about its history.

Malin Head: Ireland's most northerly point, Malin Head, offers rugged beauty and is known for its stunning coastal scenery, as well as being a popular location for Star Wars filming.

Fanad Head Lighthouse: This picturesque lighthouse is perched on the edge of the Fanad Peninsula... Read MORE...