County Donegal

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County Donegal Contae Dhún na nGall
County
Location of County Donegal in Ireland
Country	Ireland
Province	Ulster
County town	Lifford
Area
• Total	4,861 km2 (1,877 sq mi)
Area rank	4th
Population  (2016)
• Total	159,192
• Rank	9th
• Density	33/km2 (85/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+0 (WET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-1 (IST (UTC+1))
Area code(s)	074
ISO 3166 code	IE-DL

County Donegal (Irish: Contae Dhún na nGall ) is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Province of Ulster and is located in the northwest of the country. The county town is Lifford. It is named after the town of Donegal (Irish: Dún na nGall ), which means "fort of the foreigners."

Geography

County Donegal is the fourth-largest county in Ireland by area and the largest in Ulster. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and north, County Londonderry to the east, and County Tyrone to the southeast. The county also shares a border with County Fermanagh and County Leitrim.

The county is known for its rugged coastline, which includes the Slieve League cliffs, some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. The Derryveagh Mountains dominate the landscape, with Mount Errigal being the highest peak in the county.

History

County Donegal has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. It was part of the ancient kingdom of Tír Chonaill, which was ruled by the O'Donnell dynasty. The county played a significant role in the Nine Years' War and the Flight of the Earls.

Demographics

As of the 2016 census, County Donegal had a population of 159,192. The county has a significant Gaeltacht area, where the Irish language is still spoken as a community language. The largest town in the county is Letterkenny, which is also the largest urban area in the county.

Economy

The economy of County Donegal is primarily based on agriculture, fishing, and tourism. The county is known for its traditional crafts, including tweed and knitting. Tourism is a significant industry, with visitors attracted to the county's natural beauty, historical sites, and cultural heritage.

Culture

County Donegal has a rich cultural heritage, with a strong tradition of music, dance, and storytelling. The county is known for its traditional Irish music, and it has produced many famous musicians and bands. The Donegal fiddle style is a distinctive form of Irish traditional music.

Transport

County Donegal is served by a network of roads, including the N15, N13, and N56 national primary roads. The county does not have a railway service, but it is accessible by bus services operated by Bus Éireann and private operators. The nearest airports are City of Derry Airport and Donegal Airport.

Related Pages

• Donegal
• Letterkenny
• Slieve League
• Mount Errigal
• Gaeltacht
• O'Donnell dynasty
• Nine Years' War (Ireland)
• Flight of the Earls