Guide to County Donegal in Ireland

County Donegal

Donegal is situated in the very North West of the country and confusingly, for those without a detailed knowledge of Ireland, this Ulster county contains the most northerly land on the island (Malin Head), yet it is not in the UK province of Northern Ireland. It is the fourth largest county in Ireland, and the largest within the historical province of Ulster. The county's relative remoteness in the far north-west means that overall the area has a low density of population with just 137,500 people living within its boundaries.

County Donegal is unique in that it only shares its boundaries with one other county (Leitrim) in the Republic, thus Donegal maintains strong economic links with its neighbours in Northern Ireland, namely Fermanagh, Tyrone and in particular Londonderry. In fact, many Donegal residents commute to Derry city for employment.

County Donegal has approximately 650 kilometres of spectacular coastline and is a popular surfing destination, with one of Europe's premier reef breaks located in the southern town of Bundoran. The largest town in Donegal is Letterkenny, and the official county town is Lifford, despite the presence of a town called Donegal.

Other towns in Donegal include Annagary, Ardara, Ballintra, Ballybofey/Stranorlar, Ballyliffin, Ballyshannon, Bridge End, Brinlack, Bunbeg/Derrybeg, Buncrana, Burnfoot, Burtonport, Castlefinn, Carndonagh, Carrick, Carrigans, Carrowkeel, Clonmany, Convoy, Creeslough, Culdaff, Dunfanaghy, Dunglow, Dunkineely, Fahan, Falcarragh, Glencolumbkille, Glenties, Gortahork, Greencastle, Kildrum, Kilcar, Killybegs, Killygordon, Kilmacrennan, Laghy, Loughanure, Manorcunningham, Meenlaragh, Millford, Mountcharles, Moville, Muff, Newtown Cunningham, Pettigo, Raphoe, Saint Johnstown, and Rathmullan.