Donegal

Teach solais Fanad, Dún na nGall
Fanad Lighthouse, Donegal

Donegal is the most north-westerly county in Ireland. Letterkenny, Buncrana and Donegal Town are the county’s main towns. The Gaeltacht of Donegal is mostly located in the west of the county. The Gaeltacht includes regions such as The Rosses, Gaoth Dobhair, Gleann Cholm Cille and Fánaid.

Tourism

The Donegal Gaeltacht is recognised as an area of exceptional natural beauty with a unique landscape. The county offers lots for visitors and locals to enjoy. Among the natural beauty spots of the area are the Sliabh Liag cliffs, a stunning feature of the county’s south coast, and Earagail, the highest mountain in the county and one of its defining features. The Donegal Gaeltacht has many interesting heritage sites to visit including the famous Fánaid Lighthouse and the area is also known for its rich language and culture with many successful artists coming from the region. There are many opportunities for visitors and locals to get a taste of the region’s music at sessions and many festivals and events are organised throughout the year to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the area.

Enterprise and Community

The Donegal Gaeltacht has a strong economy. The industries in the county include health and medical products manufacturing, engineering, food processing and of course, the textiles industry. Páirc Ghnó Ghaoth Dobhair is at the centre of enterprise activity in the Donegal Gaeltacht but Údarás na Gaeltachta also has units available throughout the county to lease to new and existing businesses. Along with more traditional spaces, Údarás na Gaeltachta is developing a network of digital hubs in Donegal (the gteic network) and these modern spaces are catering especially for new and small businesses, remote workers and entrepreneurs.

Údarás na Gaeltachta provides many supports for companies and entrepreneurs in the area and every necessary service – shops, restaurants and schools for example – is available to the community. The communities of the Donegal Gaeltacht are strong and interconnected and this region offers a laid-back, peaceful and community-centered life. Away from the pressure and competition of city living, it is a life connected with the past but also with the innovations of the present.

Facts

  • County Donegal has a population of 166321 (2022 Census) and the Gaeltacht areas of the county have a population of 23,346. This is equivalent to 23.4% of the entire population of the Gaeltacht
  • The geographical area of the Donegal Gaeltacht is 1,502km2 and this is equivalent to 26% of the total area of the Gaeltacht
  • The name Dún na nGall means the ‘fort of the foreigner’ and refers to the end of the Viking raids of the county in the 8th and 9th century. The area is also referred to as ‘Tír Chonaill’ and this name refers historically to the west of the county only

Transport

The primary national roads to Donegal are as follows:

• Dublin – M2/N2, M1 nó M3/N3
• Belfast – M2
• Galway – M18/N17
• Sligo – N15
• Derry – N13

Air Services

• Donegal International Airport – donegalairport.ie
• Derry City Airport – cityofderryairport.com

Bus Services

Bus Éireann provides services from counties all over Ireland to Donegal. Many private companies also provide bus services to Donegal.
Further information: www.buseireann.ie
www.busfeda.ie

Medical Services

Letterkenny General Hospital

Third Level Education in the region

Leisure Facilities

Every type of leisure facility and activity is available in Donegal. For more information visit:

www.irelandnorthwest.ie
www.discoverireland.com
www.govisitdonegal.com

Client-companies affiliated with Údarás na Gaeltachta in Donegal