Donegal (town)
Donegal (/ˌdʌniˈɡɔːl, ˌdɒn-/ DUN-ee-GAWL, DON-; Irish: Dún na nGall [ˈd̪ˠuːnˠ n̪ˠə ˈŋal̪ˠ], "fort of the foreigners") 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. 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.
Donegal
Dún na nGall | |
|---|---|
Town | |
Donegal Town, as seen from Drumroosk East | |
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Coat of arms | |
Donegal Location in Ireland | |
| Coordinates: 54.654°N 8.110°W | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Ulster |
| County | County Donegal |
| Barony | Tirhugh |
| Dáil Éireann | Donegal |
| Area | |
| • Town | 2.65 km2 (1.02 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 32 m (105 ft) |
| Population (2016) | |
| • Density | 891.4/km2 (2,309/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 2,618 |
| 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 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.