County Donegal - Heritage/Historical<< Donegal Homepage |
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| Here's a selection of Donegal Heritage/Historical.Click on the 'Go to ALL' link to get the full list. |
1. Interpretative Centre |
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Donegal Parian ChinaMrs Patricia Boyle , Co. DonegalDonegal Parian China is a hand crafted elicate product of distinct beauty created by the crafts people of Donegal. Exhibition room, free guided tours, audio-visual, Bureau de Change, Cash back and VAT refunds, mail order service, tea room, coach and car parking facilities. | |
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2. Interpretative Centre |
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Magee of DonegalThe Diamond, Co. DonegalMagee handwoven tweeds are still made in the time honoured tradition, woven by hand in the weavers' homes in the Donegal hills. Enjoy browsing through the Magee store where you will see quality ranges of mens and ladies clothing, knitwear, Donegal tweeds and giftwear, all reflecting 'The Best of Donegal' - Irelands largest selection of mens and ladies Donegal handwoven tweed jackets, woven and tailored by Magee - A true marriage of age old skills, the best of quality and the most elegant of contemporary Irish European styling. | |
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3. Towers (Round) |
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Buncrana O'Doherty's KeepCo. DonegalHaving started off its life possibly as a Norman castle after 1333, this tower was extensively repaired by Hugh Boy O'Dogherty in 1602 to act as a bridgehead for the Spaniards who were supposed to land on the Inishowen Peninsula. It was burned by the English shortly afterwards, but was repaired either in 1641 or in 1689, and used as a manor. it is beautifully situated beside the Crana stream, but its three storeys contain little of any architectural or artistic interest. | |
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4. Railway Museums |
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Vintage Car MuseumJim Bradley , Co. DonegalTake a journey back to days gone by, to a different era in time that is sure to be of interest to all. See a collection of Vintage and Classic Cars, Victorian Bicycles, Model Car and Model Railway collections and other items of historical transport. Opening Times: June to September everyday from 10:00am - 8:00pm Open also on Sundays all year round £2 for adults £50p for children Group rates available | |
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5. Monuments |
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GlencolumbkilleCo. DonegalThere may have been an early Christian monastery in the valley where, according to tradition, St. Columbkille banished demons who enveloped the valley in a fog. The most conspicuous remains are the pillars decorated with cross-motifs and geometric designs which are now the centres or 'stations' of the pilgrimage which takes place on the Saint's feastday on 9 June. The pillars are spread over an area in the valley 3.5 miles long, and the pilgrimage takes as many hours to complete. Within a radius of about three miles from the village there are two fine court-tombs, one at Farranmacbride ('Mannernamortee'), north of the village and another at Malin More ('Cloghanmore'), both of the central court variety. A Folk-Village, with cottages typical of the valley, stands to the west of the village, and includes a museum. | |
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6. Heritage Centres |
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Ardara Heritage CentreBosco McGill , Co. DonegalOld photographs, displays and models recall the remarkable history of tweed production in the Ardara region. Discover how a loom works by watching a weaver at work or examine the different stitches which make up Aran Knitwear. The audio-visual presents some of the many attractions of this scenic area of Donegal. Old photographs, displays and models recall the remarkable history of tweed production in the Ardara region . Discover how a loom works by watching a weaver at work or examine the different stitches which make up Aran Knitwear. The audio visual presents some of the many attractions of this scenic area of Donegal. | |
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7. Local Tours |
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O'donnell Coach Hire LtdSean O'Donnell , Manorcunningham, Co. Donegal | |
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8. Cathedrals (Historical) |
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St Eunan's CathedralCo. DonegalThe cathedral dominates the skyline on all approaches to the town and at night, the warm floodlit and graceful spire is a welcoming sight. When the Cathedral at Raphoe passed to the Church of Irlend after the Reformation, the Catholic Bishop has no permanent seat until the Letterkenny Cathedral was opened and dedicated to St Eunan and Columba in 1901. Designed by William Hague of Dublin and built of white stone from Mountcharles, the graceful lines, flying buttresses and ornamentation are reminiscent of the late Gothic period. The ceilings are the work of Amici of Rome, while the wonderful stained glass windows which illuminte the graceful Sanctuary and the Lady Chapel are by the Mayer firm of Munich. The design is inspirational and it is well worth a visit to savour the atmosphere and the art of this fine building. | |
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9. Archaeological |
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Kilclooney MoreCo. DonegalAn exceptionally fine portal-tome or dolmen, prominent on the skyline 1/4 mile to the east of the main road, 4miles north-north-west of Ardara. It well displays the classic features from which this type of monument derives its name. The matched portal stones and gracefully uptilted capstone (nearly 20 feet long and one of the largest in Ireland) oversailing the chamber entrance convey a sense of architectural awareness on the part of the builders, and its streamlined profile has inspired numerous analogies; a bird, a fish, Concord, etc., depending on the imagination of the observer. The tomb is substantially complete. A low sill-stone set between the 6 feet high portals closes off the chamber entrance. The lower end of the capstone does not rest directly on the back-stone as is usually the case, but is supported instead by a small intermediate stone whose function may have been to give increased height to the chamber. Fragments of undecorated Neolithic pottery were the only recorded finds. A short distance west of this tomb is another similar construction but on a very much smaller scale. It is now partly collapsed. A modern field wall separates the two, which were evidently mounded over by the same east-facing cairn, traces of which remain. | |
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10. Castles (Historical) |
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Doe castleCo. DonegalThe castle is first mentioned in 1544 in connection with internecine wars between the sons of MacSweeney Doe. Wrecked sailors from the Spanish Armada were granted refuge here in 1588. By 1600 it had been taken over by Eoghan Og MacSweeny, an ally of the English, who was unsuccessfully besieged there by his brother Rory in 1601. Red Hugh O'Donnell attacked the castle unsuccessfully in 1601, but shortly afterwards the castle was granted by the Crown to Rory O'Donnell. Taken again by the MacSweeneys in 1606, it was captured again by Rory O'Donnell in the following year. In the same year it was granted to Sir Basil Brooke, but was taken in 1608 by Sir Cahir O'Doherty's allies and shortly afterwards retaken by Crown forces. It was then granted to a number of English men before it fell into Irish hands again in 1641. In the following year it greeted Owen Roe O'Neill back to Ireland. Captured by surprise by Coote for the Cromwellians in 1650, it later served as a Royal garrison under Charles 11. In the Williamite wars it was captured by Donough Og MacSweeney but was taken by the English again shortly afterwards. it was extensively repaired by Hart at the end of the 18th century and inhabited by his family until 1843, after which it was deserted. | |
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11. Dolmens |
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Kilclooney MoreCo. DonegalAn exceptionally fine portal-tome or dolmen, prominent on the skyline 1/4 mile to the east of the main road, 4miles north-north-west of Ardara. It well displays the classic features from which this type of monument derives its name. The matched portal stones and gracefully uptilted capstone (nearly 20 feet long and one of the largest in Ireland) oversailing the chamber entrance convey a sense of architectural awareness on the part of the builders, and its streamlined profile has inspired numerous analogies; a bird, a fish, Concord, etc., depending on the imagination of the observer. The tomb is substantially complete. A low sill-stone set between the 6 feet high portals closes off the chamber entrance. The lower end of the capstone does not rest directly on the back-stone as is usually the case, but is supported instead by a small intermediate stone whose function may have been to give increased height to the chamber. Fragments of undecorated Neolithic pottery were the only recorded finds. A short distance west of this tomb is another similar construction but on a very much smaller scale. It is now partly collapsed. A modern field wall separates the two, which were evidently mounded over by the same east-facing cairn, traces of which remain. | |
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12. Forts (Historical) |
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Dunree FortCo. DonegalDunree Fort, now a military museum. Established to the end of the eighteenth century during the Napoleonic wars, and maintained as a fort until about a decade ago. | |
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13. Tombs |
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CloghanmoreCo. DonegalA large tomb of the enclosed, full-court type, with parallel twin galleries placed at the western end of the court, each divided into two chambers. One of the galleries is roofed with a heavy capstone. Two small unsegmented chambers at the eastern end of the court have entrance stones decorated with curvilinear motifs recalling the megalithic art of the passage-tombs, but prolonged weathering has almost obliterated the designs. The court is oval in plan and measures about 45 feet in length. An entrance passageway on the east is flanked by orthostats of monumental size. Much of the long tapered cairn survives, but owes its present form to considerable tidying-up of the monument in the last century. The site is situated in marshy ground and access is difficult in wet weather. | |
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14. Homes (Historical) |
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The Glebe House & GalleryChurchill, Co. DonegalRegency house, set in woodland gardens beside Lake Gartan, decorated with William Morris wallpapers and textiles, Islamic and Japanese art. The Derek Hill permanent collection includes 300 works by leading 20th century artists, including Picasso, Kokoshka, as well as Irish and Italian artists. Exhibitions are shown in the adjoining gallery. | |
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15. Crosses (Historical) |
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GlencolumbkilleCo. DonegalThere may have been an early Christian monastery in the valley where, according to tradition, St. Columbkille banished demons who enveloped the valley in a fog. The most conspicuous remains are the pillars decorated with cross-motifs and geometric designs which are now the centres or 'stations' of the pilgrimage which takes place on the Saint's feastday on 9 June. The pillars are spread over an area in the valley 3.5 miles long, and the pilgrimage takes as many hours to complete. Within a radius of about three miles from the village there are two fine court-tombs, one at Farranmacbride ('Mannernamortee'), north of the village and another at Malin More ('Cloghanmore'), both of the central court variety. A Folk-Village, with cottages typical of the valley, stands to the west of the village, and includes a museum. | |
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16. Museums |
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Vintage Car MuseumJim Bradley , Co. DonegalTake a journey back to days gone by, to a different era in time that is sure to be of interest to all. See a collection of Vintage and Classic Cars, Victorian Bicycles, Model Car and Model Railway collections and other items of historical transport. Opening Times: June to September everyday from 10:00am - 8:00pm Open also on Sundays all year round £2 for adults £50p for children Group rates available | |
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17. Gallery Graves |
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CarrowkeelCo. DonegalCarrowkeel, in the Bricklieve hills, is an ancient cemetery of circular mounds dating from the late Stone Age (2500-200BC). There are some splendid views from the exposed hilltop site. | |
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18. Stones (Historical) |
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ArdmoreCo. DonegalA squared pillarstone of monumental appearance, 7 feet high and 3 feet wide. its south-eastern face is decorated with a profusion of cup-marks, many with single and multiple surrounding rings, a characteristic motif of the Galician or rock art of the Bronze Age. The stone is in a field behind a farmhouse, 1 mile north-north-east of Muff, to the west of the coast road to Carrowkeel and Moville. | |
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19. Friaries |
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Donegal Castle and Franciscan Friary.Co. DonegalThe massive tower at the north angle was erected by the O'Donnells either in 1474 or in 1563. It was the residence of Hugh Roe O'Donnell, last chief of Tir Connell, who died in Spain in 1602 and who possibly burned it in 1595 before he left to prevent it falling into English hands. Note the floral decoration on the corner turret. In 1616 it was granted to Sir Basil Brooke for 21 years, and granted to him forever in 1623. He carried out extensive renovations in the tower, adding a bay window above the old door and also other mullioned windows, and on the first floor he built a magnificent fireplace decorated with carved fruit, his own coat-of-arms and those of Leicester. It was probably shortly after 1623 that he erected the fine manor house beside the tower. This is a fine gabled three-storey house with tow, three and four mullioned windows. It incorporated earlier doorways, but there is also a fine Renaissance-style Jacobean door in the first floor, the stairs to which have disappeared. The gate-house of the present entrance and the wall on either side of it were built by Brooke, but the turret at the western end of this wall is contemporary with O'Donnell's original tower. Franciscan Friary: On the seashore south of the town are the unfortunately scanty remains of a Franciscan Friary founded by the first Ref Hugh O'Donnell and his wife Nuala O'Brien in 1474. Of the church only the chancel and a gable of the south transept remain. Better preserved are the remnants of the cloister arcade. The English seized and fortified the Friary in 1591 but were driven out the following year by Red Hugh O'Donnell. Ten years later, the English seized it again. During a battle between Niall Garbh O'Donnell, who held it for the English, and his cousin Red Hugh O'Donnell, the magazine blew up, and the resulting fire gutted the building. The Friary was granted to Sir Basil Brooke 19 1607. the Franciscan community stayed on until 1600, under the protection of the O'Donnells. After that they wandered from place to place, and four of the friars - three O'Clerys and a Duignan - made the community immortal by their compilation known as 'The Annals of the Four Masters; (1632-6), which is one of the most important sources of the early history of Ireland. Show me all the details for Donegal Castle and Franciscan Friary. | |
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20. Churches (Historical) |
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Abbey Assaroe Mills and WaterwheelsCo. DonegalThe only remaining wall of the original church stands , and walk the short distance to the mill. founded by the Cistercians in the 12th century, the development of the waterwheels to provide mechanical power was mainly motivated by a desire to give this contemplative order more time for prayer and relection. The derelict site was wonderfully restored by the Abbey Mills Restoration Trust when they acquired the property in 1989. Besides the impressive waterwheels, the centre now contains an interpretative centre where an audio-visual presentation traces the legacy of the medieval Cistercians in Ireland. A coffee shop will help you relax and enjoy the attractively landscaped grounds. Show me all the details for Abbey Assaroe Mills and Waterwheels | |
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21. Mills (Historical) |
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Tullyarvan MillMrs Theresa McBride , Co. DonegalThe mill is within walking distance of the town on the Crana river and houses a textile museum, interpretative centre of the local wildlife, function room, craft shop and coffee shop. Come and experience Buncranas cultural past when you visit the Tullyarvan Mill and enjoy a leisurely stroll in the five acre landscaped park. | |
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22. Stone Circles |
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Beltany TopsCo. DonegalThe name of this solitary hill 2 miles south of Raphoe recalls the Celtic springtime festival of Beltane (the ancient equivalent of May Day), traditionally associated with the lighting of hill-top fires to regenerate the sun. The wreckage of great stones on this well chosen site belongs to an earlier period than the Celtic Iron Age. As it stands, it poses problems of classification. Part stone circle, part mound, it has suffered at the hands of despoilers and must look very different from its original state. The enclosing ring is megalithic, several of its slabby stones attaining heights of 8 feet or more. Many lean haphazardly outward under the pressure of the disturbed, boulder-strewn interior, the surface of which is 3-4 feet higher than the surrounding land. A solitary outlier stands 70 feet to the south-east. Possible astronomical alignments have been suggested for some of the circle-stones; one, perhaps fortuitously, points to sunrise at or about Beltane. | |
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23. Wells (Historical) |
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Abbey Assaroe Mills and WaterwheelsCo. DonegalThe only remaining wall of the original church stands , and walk the short distance to the mill. founded by the Cistercians in the 12th century, the development of the waterwheels to provide mechanical power was mainly motivated by a desire to give this contemplative order more time for prayer and relection. The derelict site was wonderfully restored by the Abbey Mills Restoration Trust when they acquired the property in 1989. Besides the impressive waterwheels, the centre now contains an interpretative centre where an audio-visual presentation traces the legacy of the medieval Cistercians in Ireland. A coffee shop will help you relax and enjoy the attractively landscaped grounds. Show me all the details for Abbey Assaroe Mills and Waterwheels | |
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24. Town Information |
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Ballybofey & Stranorlar Tourist Information CentreEthel Gordon , Ballybofey & Stranorlar Tourist Information Centre, Main St Lr, Co. DonegalShow me all the details for Ballybofey & Stranorlar Tourist Information Centre | |
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