Its name comes from Dún na nGall, meaning "fort of the foreigners", likely referring to Vikings who raided these shores in the 9th and 10th centuries, though no trace of their settlement has ever been found. The town truly came into its own during the late medieval period as a...
Historic town, Saint Johnston, Co. Donegal
This small Donegal town has a rather curious origin story; it wasn't part of the original plantation plans for Ulster, yet seemingly appeared out of nowhere as a fully established settlement in 1618, whilst other more established centres like Raphoe and Rathmullan were still petitioning for official town status. The...
Historic town, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Captain Crawford received a grant of 1,000 acres during the Plantation of Donegal, and near his house, Sir George Merbury established what would become Letterkenny; a collection of 50 thatched houses, with only 13 boasting the relative luxury of clay and stone walls, plus a single watermill. By 1654, the...
Historic town, Castlefinn, Co. Donegal
Nicholas Pynnar's survey of 1618/19 provides a snapshot of this fledgling settlement, noting that thirty houses had been built near Sir John Kingsmill's fortified residence, or bawn, all occupied by English families. This deliberate colonisation effort aimed to establish a loyal Protestant presence in the region, fundamentally altering the social...
Market-house, Castlefinn, Co. Donegal
Built around 1606, this stone structure became the focal point of local commerce when Sir John Kingsmill was granted the manor of Castlefyn in 1631, complete with rights to hold a weekly Monday market and two annual fairs; one following Pentecost and another on St Martin's Day in November, each...