HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Gweedore ( ; officially known by its
Irish language Irish ( Standard Irish: ), also known as Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Insular Celtic branch of the Celtic language family, which is a part of the Indo-European language family. Irish is indigenous to the island of Ireland and was ...
name, ) is an Irish-speaking district and parish located on the Atlantic coast of
County Donegal County Donegal ( ; ga, Contae Dhún na nGall) is a county of Ireland in the province of Ulster and in the Northern and Western Region. It is named after the town of Donegal in the south of the county. It has also been known as County Tyrconne ...
in the north-west of Ireland. Gweedore stretches some from Glasserchoo in the north to Crolly in the south and around from Dunlewey in the east to Magheraclogher in the west, and is one of Europe's most densely populated rural areas. It is the largest Irish-speaking parish in Ireland with a population of around 4,065, and is also the home of the northwest regional studios of the Irish-language radio service
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta (; "Radio of the Gaeltacht"), abbreviated RnaG, is an Irish language radio station owned and operated by Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). The station is available on FM in Ireland and via satellite and on the Intern ...
, as well as an external campus of
National University of Ireland, Galway The University of Galway ( ga, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe) is a public research university located in the city of Galway, Ireland. A tertiary education and research institution, the university was awarded the full five QS stars for excellence in 201 ...
. Gweedore includes the villages Bunbeg, Derrybeg, Dunlewey, Crolly and Brinlack, and sits in the shade of
County Donegal County Donegal ( ; ga, Contae Dhún na nGall) is a county of Ireland in the province of Ulster and in the Northern and Western Region. It is named after the town of Donegal in the south of the county. It has also been known as County Tyrconne ...
's highest peak,
Errigal Errigal () is a mountain near Gweedore in County Donegal, Ireland. It is the tallest peak of the Derryveagh Mountains and the tallest peak in County Donegal. Errigal is also the most southern and the highest of the mountain chain called the ...
. Gweedore is known for being a cradle of
Irish culture The culture of Ireland includes language, literature, music, art, folklore, cuisine, and sport associated with Ireland and the Irish people. For most of its recorded history, Irish culture has been primarily Gaelic (see Gaelic Ireland). It has ...
, with old Irish customs, traditional music, theatre,
Gaelic games Gaelic games ( ga, Cluichí Gaelacha) are a set of sports played worldwide, though they are particularly popular in Ireland, where they originated. They include Gaelic football, hurling, Gaelic handball and rounders. Football and hurling, the ...
and the
Irish language Irish ( Standard Irish: ), also known as Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Insular Celtic branch of the Celtic language family, which is a part of the Indo-European language family. Irish is indigenous to the island of Ireland and was ...
playing a central and pivotal role in the lives of the local people. This, along with its scenery and many beaches, has made the area a popular tourist destination, especially with visitors from
Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...
. Gweedore and the neighbouring districts of
Cloughaneely Cloughaneely (official name: ) is a district in the west of County Donegal, Ireland. This is a mainly coastal area with a population of over 4,000 centred on the towns of Falcarragh () and Gortahork (). It is a Gaeltacht area, meaning the Irish ...
and
the Rosses The Rosses (officially known by its Irish language name, ''Na Rosa''; in the genitive case ''Na Rosann'') is a geographical and social region in the west of County Donegal, Ireland, with a population of over 7,000 centred on the town of Dungloe, ...
are collectively known locally as "the three parishes"; they form a social and cultural region distinct from the rest of the county, with Gweedore serving as the main centre for socialising and industry.


Etymology

Gweedore is the anglicisation of the original and official Irish name ''Gaoth Dobhair''. ''Gaoth'' refers to an inlet of the sea at the mouth of the Crolly River, known as ''An Ghaoth''. It is the boundary between Gweedore to the north and
The Rosses The Rosses (officially known by its Irish language name, ''Na Rosa''; in the genitive case ''Na Rosann'') is a geographical and social region in the west of County Donegal, Ireland, with a population of over 7,000 centred on the town of Dungloe, ...
to the south. ''Dobhar'' is an old Irish word for water. Therefore, ''Gaoth Dobhair'' translates as "the aqueous estuary". The name ''Gweedore'' or ''Gaoth Dobhair'' refers to the traditional district and Catholic parish of the same name, not to one village or town. The villages of Bunbeg, Derrybeg, Dunlewey and others are collectively known as ''Gweedore''.


Language

Gweedore has a population of 4,500 and is divided into three
electoral division An electoral district, also known as an election district, legislative district, voting district, constituency, riding, ward, division, or (election) precinct is a subdivision of a larger state (a country, administrative region, or other poli ...
s (EDs): *''Machaire Chlochair'' with a population of 2,651 and an estimated 77% native Irish speakers. *''
Cnoc Fola Gweedore ( ; officially known by its Irish language name, ) is an Irish-speaking district and parish located on the Atlantic coast of County Donegal in the north-west of Ireland. Gweedore stretches some from Glasserchoo in the north to Crolly ...
''/''Mín an Chladaigh'' with a population of 1,326 and 83% Irish speakers. *''
Dún Lúiche Gweedore ( ; officially known by its Irish language name, ) is an Irish-speaking district and parish located on the Atlantic coast of County Donegal in the north-west of Ireland. Gweedore stretches some from Glasserchoo in the north to Crolly ...
'' with a population of 695 and 76% Irish speakers. The predominant
spoken language A spoken language is a language produced by articulate sounds or (depending on one's definition) manual gestures, as opposed to a written language. An oral language or vocal language is a language produced with the vocal tract in contrast with a si ...
of the district is Irish, but English can be widely heard as well. All schools, religious services, and advertisements are through Irish. Thousands of second-level and some third-level students from all over Ireland attend summer schools at ''Coláiste Cholmcille'' (
Columba Columba or Colmcille; gd, Calum Cille; gv, Colum Keeilley; non, Kolban or at least partly reinterpreted as (7 December 521 – 9 June 597 AD) was an Irish abbot and missionary evangelist credited with spreading Christianity in what is toda ...
's College), ''Coláiste Bun an Inbhir'', ''Coláiste Chú Chulainn'', ''Coláiste Mhuire'' and ''Coláiste an Phiarsaigh'' in Gaoth Dobhair every summer to further their knowledge and understanding of the
Irish language Irish ( Standard Irish: ), also known as Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Insular Celtic branch of the Celtic language family, which is a part of the Indo-European language family. Irish is indigenous to the island of Ireland and was ...
.Coláiste Cholmcille website
This is a
Gaeltacht ( , , ) are the districts of Ireland, individually or collectively, where the Irish government recognises that the Irish language is the predominant vernacular, or language of the home. The ''Gaeltacht'' districts were first officially recog ...
, an area where the Irish language is the
first language A first language, native tongue, native language, mother tongue or L1 is the first language or dialect that a person has been exposed to from birth or within the critical period. In some countries, the term ''native language'' or ''mother tongu ...
, providing an unbroken link with millennia of
Irish history The first evidence of human presence in Ireland dates to around 33,000 years ago, with further findings dating the presence of homo sapiens to around 10,500 to 7,000 BC. The receding of the ice after the Younger Dryas cold phase of the Quatern ...
and culture. Since most of the inhabitants of the village are bilingual, it is common to hear English vocabulary used within an Irish sentence and vice versa. A rich subset of unique vocabulary and phrases has arisen from this
bilingualism Multilingualism is the use of more than one language, either by an individual speaker or by a group of speakers. It is believed that multilingual speakers outnumber monolingual speakers in the world's population. More than half of all E ...
and owing to this, the parish has attracted some curious interest from both lexicographers and etymologists in the past. For example, the Irish suffix -ailte or -eáilte is used to form a
Gaelicised Gaelicisation, or Gaelicization, is the act or process of making something Gaelic, or gaining characteristics of the ''Gaels'', a sub-branch of celticisation. The Gaels are an ethno-linguistic group, traditionally viewed as having spread from Irel ...
version of English verbs, as in ''wreckailte'' "tired".


History

The
Plantation of Ulster The Plantation of Ulster ( gle, Plandáil Uladh; Ulster-Scots: ''Plantin o Ulstèr'') was the organised colonisation (''plantation'') of Ulstera province of Irelandby people from Great Britain during the reign of King James I. Most of the sett ...
in 1609 added a twist to the fate of the parish. Irish-speaking families who were driven from their fertile lands in the
Lagan Valley The Lagan Valley (, Ulster Scots: ''Glen Lagan'') is an area of Northern Ireland between Belfast and Lisburn. The River Lagan rises on Slieve Croob in County Down and flows generally northward discharging into Belfast Lough. For a section, the ...
and the surrounding areas made their way to the poor boglands of west Donegal. Some of them made it as far as Gweedore and could go no further west. Around the same time, English and Scottish colonists began to arrive when this uncharted territory was converted to baronies. It appears the parish was very sparsely populated up until the 17th century. The first people to arrive lived on the islands or by the shore in clusters, pockets of houses built close together and in each other's shade. Up until the early 19th century the parish was only lightly populated and it seems the people had an amicable relationship with the landowners. The standard of life was to deteriorate with the arrival of new landlords in the 19th century, in particular
Lord George Hill Lord George Augusta Hill (9 December 1801 – 6 April 1879) was an Anglo-Irish military officer, politician and landowner. Hill was the posthumous son of Arthur Hill, 2nd Marquess of Downshire and his wife Mary Hill, Marchioness of Downshire, ...
(1801–1879) and his son Arthur. The people of the parish led by James McFadden ( ga, Séamus Mac Pháidín), the parish priest in 1875–1901, challenged the landlords with the founding of the
Land League The Irish National Land League ( Irish: ''Conradh na Talún'') was an Irish political organisation of the late 19th century which sought to help poor tenant farmers. Its primary aim was to abolish landlordism in Ireland and enable tenant farme ...
and the
Plan of Campaign The Plan of Campaign was a stratagem adopted in Ireland between 1886 and 1891, co-ordinated by Irish politicians for the benefit of tenant farmers, against mainly absentee and rack-rent landlords. It was launched to counter agricultural distres ...
. The killing by locals of
Royal Irish Constabulary The Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC, ga, Constáblacht Ríoga na hÉireann; simply called the Irish Constabulary 1836–67) was the police force in Ireland from 1822 until 1922, when all of the country was part of the United Kingdom. A separate ...
(RIC) District Inspector William Limbrick Martin outside the local church (''Teach Phobail Mhuire'') in
Derrybeg Doirí Beaga (anglicised as Derrybeg, meaning 'small oak trees'), is a Gaeltacht village and townland in the parish of Gweedore (''Gaoth Dobhair'') in County Donegal, Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in t ...
on Sunday 3 February 1889, while reportedly rushing Father McFadden with a drawn sword, was the climax of the
Land War The Land War ( ga, Cogadh na Talún) was a period of agrarian agitation in rural Ireland (then wholly part of the United Kingdom) that began in 1879. It may refer specifically to the first and most intense period of agitation between 1879 and 18 ...
in Gweedore. 43 people were arrested after the killing. The case was recalled in the 1928 memoirs of Tim Healy, who defended Father McFadden and his parishioners. An
Irish American , image = Irish ancestry in the USA 2018; Where Irish eyes are Smiling.png , image_caption = Irish Americans, % of population by state , caption = Notable Irish Americans , population = 36,115,472 (10.9%) alone ...
journalist, W.H. Hurlbert, also investigated the landlord-tenant dispute in Gweedore in minute detail in his book ''Ireland under Coercion'', published in 1888. Many books have been published in Irish, and several in English, detailing Gweedore's rich history. One of the most prolific of local historians was Cáit Nic Giolla Bhríde.


Freak storm

On the afternoon of 23 June 2009, a severe thunderstorm struck Gweedore. It was centred on the adjoining villages of Bunbeg and Derrybeg, and lasted for several hours, causing two rivers to burst their banks, flooding houses, shops and factories, ripping up roads and destroying bridges. Lightning which lasted for two hours damaged
power lines Electric power transmission is the bulk movement of electrical energy from a generating site, such as a power plant, to an electrical substation. The interconnected lines that facilitate this movement form a ''transmission network''. This is d ...
and caused a major breakdown of mobile phone service, leaving people trapped by the floods unable to contact help. Up to 20 houses were cut off from the outside world after three access bridges were carried away by the swollen rivers. Described as the worst storm "in living memory", it was also the most severe since 1880 when five people drowned in Derrybeg. Owing to the highly localised nature of the storm, the areas of maximum rainfall missed the network of rain gauges but
Met Éireann Met Éireann (; meaning " Met of Ireland") is the state meteorological service of Ireland, part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. History The history of modern meteorology in Ireland dates back to 8 October 1860, wh ...
estimated that between 2 pm and 6 pm, up to of rain fell at the core.


Economy

In the 1980s and 1990s, Gweedore had a thriving factory industry, where up to 20 large companies were established producing rubber, carpets, body toning equipment and cleaning agents. However, by 2001 most of these companies had closed due to competition from Eastern Europe. Up to 4,000 jobs were lost, and this had a serious economic and social effect on Gweedore and surrounding areas. The factory in the townland of Crolly has been manufacturing porcelain dolls since 1939 under the name ''Crolly Dolls''. In 2003, the estate was renamed Páirc Ghnó Ghaoth Dobhair (Gweedore Business Park) and the Gaeltacht body,
Údarás na Gaeltachta Údarás na Gaeltachta (; meaning "Gaeltacht Authority"), abbreviated UnaG, is a regional state agency which is responsible for the economic, social and cultural development of Irish-speaking (Gaeltacht) regions of Ireland. Its stated purpose is ...
, started a campaign to try to entice businesses to Gweedore in hope of reviving the local economy. A Scottish company opened a
call centre A call centre ( Commonwealth spelling) or call center (American spelling; see spelling differences) is a managed capability that can be centralised or remote that is used for receiving or transmitting a large volume of enquiries by telephone. ...
on the estate, but this subsequently closed. Other businesses include a number of supermarkets, convenience stores, beauticians, hairdressers, contractors, garages, pharmacists, pubs, cafes and three well-established hotels: Derrybeg Hotel, Teach Jack and An Chúirt Hotel.


Education


Primary level

All five primary schools in the area are Irish-speaking schools. Children are not taught English until higher infants level (5–6 years old). *Scoil Chonaill, Bunbeg (''An Bun Beag'') *Scoil Mhuire, Derrybeg (''Doirí Beaga'') *Scoil Phádraig, Dore (''Dobhar'') *Scoil Bhríde, Mín an Chladaigh *Scoil Adhamhnáin, Lunniagh (''Luinneach'')


Secondary level

The only community school (post-primary) is Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, established in Lunniagh in 1977. As with the local primary schools, all students are educated through the medium of Irish and most sit their public examinations in Irish.


Third level

In 2004, NUI Galway expanded to Gweedore when it opened ''Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge'', providing third-level education through the medium of the Irish language to over 80 students every year. Several diplomas are available as well as a new
bachelor's degree A bachelor's degree (from Middle Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six ...
in business studies.


Physical features

Gweedore is close to
Errigal Errigal () is a mountain near Gweedore in County Donegal, Ireland. It is the tallest peak of the Derryveagh Mountains and the tallest peak in County Donegal. Errigal is also the most southern and the highest of the mountain chain called the ...
, the tallest mountain in
County Donegal County Donegal ( ; ga, Contae Dhún na nGall) is a county of Ireland in the province of Ulster and in the Northern and Western Region. It is named after the town of Donegal in the south of the county. It has also been known as County Tyrconne ...
, which overshadows the picturesque
Dunlewey Lough Dunlewey Lough, or Dunlewy Lough (), is a lake in County Donegal, Ireland. It lies at the foot of Errigal and beside the hamlet of Dunlewey (or Dunlewy). It is separated from the larger Lough Nacung Upper, to the west, by a narrow strip of la ...
. It is surrounded by the deep
glen A glen is a valley, typically one that is long and bounded by gently sloped concave sides, unlike a ravine, which is deep and bounded by steep slopes. Whittow defines it as a "Scottish term for a deep valley in the Highlands" that is "narrower ...
s and lakes of the
Poisoned Glen The Poisoned Glen () is a glen or valley located near Dunlewey in Gweedore, a district in the north-west of County Donegal, Ireland. It is located beside Errigal and extends beyond Glenveagh National Park, facing Loch Altan. The Poisoned Glen ...
, through which the Cronaniv Burn flows,''Discovery Series'' Sheet 1 (Fourth Edition).
Ordnance Survey of Ireland Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI; ga, Suirbhéireacht Ordanáis Éireann) is the national mapping agency of Ireland. It was established on 4 March 2002 as a body corporate. It is the successor to the former Ordnance Survey of Ireland. It and the ...
(O.S.I.),
Dublin Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of th ...
, 2012.
and further on,
Glenveagh Glenveagh ( ; ) is the second-largest national park in Ireland. Located in County Donegal, it includes Glenveagh Castle grounds, Lough Veagh, and much of the Derryveagh Mountains. National parks in Ireland conform to IUCN standards. Geograp ...
national park A national park is a nature park, natural park in use for conservation (ethic), conservation purposes, created and protected by national governments. Often it is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state dec ...
and
castle A castle is a type of fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by military orders. Scholars debate the scope of the word ''castle'', but usually consider it to be the private fortified r ...
, the largest national park in Ireland. ''Bád Eddie'' ("Eddie's Boat"), the ''Cara na Mara'' ("Friend of the Sea"), is the wreck of a ship which ran ashore on Magheraclogher Strand due to rough seas. The Crolly River (
Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...
: ''Abhainn Chroithlí''), also known as the Gweedore River, and the
Clady River The River Clady is a mid-scale river in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, a tributary of the Lower Bann. It forms from the confluence of the Grillagh River and Knockoneil River. Course The river flows through the flatlands outside C ...
(Irish: ''An Chláidigh'') are two of the main rivers flowing through Gweedore. The Gweedore coastline consists of long sandy beaches and rugged cliffs with small islands, including
Gola Island Gola ( or ''Oileán Ghabhla'') is a small island off the coast of Gweedore, County Donegal, Ireland. The island was unpopulated as recently as 1996 but in recent years people have started to return. A ferry service operates during the holiday sea ...
and
Tory Island Tory Island, or simply Tory (officially known by its Irish name ''Toraigh''),Toraigh/Tory Island
Gweedore railway station, opened on 9 March 1903, closed for passenger traffic on 3 June 1940 and finally closed altogether on 6 January 1947. The chief railway engineer was Taggart Aston, from Belfast. He was responsible for the design and construction of many of the bridges on the Letterkenny to Burtonport Extension narrow-gauge railway (L&BER), a company jointly owned by the State and the
Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway The Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway Company (The L&LSR, the Swilly) was an Irish public transport and freight company that operated in parts of County Londonderry and County Donegal between 1853 and 2014. Incorporated in June 1853, it on ...
(L&LSR). Coaches that operate from Gweedore include Collins Coaches Donegal to Glasgow, Feda Ó Dónaill, Coyle's Coaches, John McGinley, Patrick Gallagher Coaches, Crónán Mac Pháidín private hire coaches, and a bus route serving the local airport. For many years the
Lough Swilly Lough Swilly () in Ireland is a glacial fjord or sea inlet lying between the western side of the Inishowen, Inishowen Peninsula and the Fanad Peninsula, in County Donegal. Along with Carlingford Lough and Killary Harbour it is one of three glaci ...
Railway company A railway company is a company within the rail industry. It can be a manufacturing firm or an rail transport operations, operator. Some railway companies operate both the trains and the track, while, particularly in the European Union, operation ...
provided a bus service for the area, which transported people to places such as
Letterkenny Letterkenny ( ga, Leitir Ceanainn , meaning 'hillside of the O'Cannons'), nicknamed 'the Cathedral Town', is the largest and most populous town in County Donegal, a county in Ulster, the northern province in Ireland. Letterkenny lies on the R ...
and other surrounding parishes.


Sport

Sports played locally include
Gaelic football Gaelic football ( ga, Peil Ghaelach; short name '), commonly known as simply Gaelic, GAA or Football is an Irish team sport. It is played between two teams of 15 players on a rectangular grass pitch. The objective of the sport is to score by kic ...
, golf and soccer.


Gaelic games

The local
Gaelic games Gaelic games ( ga, Cluichí Gaelacha) are a set of sports played worldwide, though they are particularly popular in Ireland, where they originated. They include Gaelic football, hurling, Gaelic handball and rounders. Football and hurling, the ...
club,
CLG Ghaoth Dobhair CLG Ghaoth Dobhair is a GAA club based in the parish of Gaoth Dobhair (anglicize to Gweedore) in northwest County Donegal, Republic of Ireland. They are one of the strongholds of Gaelic football in County Donegal. Their home ground is at Mac ...
, is located in Machaire Gathlán and provides facilities for all GAA sports. The Gaoth Dobhair senior team is the most successful club in the
Donegal Senior Football Championship The Donegal Senior Football Championship (abbreviated as Donegal SFC) is an annual football competition organised by Donegal GAA and contested by the highest-level clubs, to determine the best team in County Donegal. Since 2016, it has been known ...
and
Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta is an annual All Ireland Gaelic football competition contested by clubs from the Irish language-speaking Gaeltacht areas of Ireland. Clubs compete on a county-basis at first, in order to qualify for the tournament th ...
. It won the 2018
Ulster Senior Club Football Championship The Ulster Senior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football competition played between the top clubs in Ulster GAA. The trophy awarded to the winners is the Seamus McFerran Cup ( ga, Corn Shéamuis Mhic Fearáin). The winners and th ...
. Players such as
Kevin Cassidy Kevin Cassidy (born 1981) is an Irish-Scottish Gaelic footballer, businessperson, columnist and commentator. Though born in Glasgow, Scotland, he has been living in Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal from a young age. Cassidy plays his club footbal ...
and the McGee brothers— Eamon and
Neil Neil is a masculine name of Gaelic and Irish origin. The name is an anglicisation of the Irish ''Niall'' which is of disputed derivation. The Irish name may be derived from words meaning "cloud", "passionate", "victory", "honour" or "champion".. A ...
—are known nationally for their exploits with the senior
Donegal county football team The Donegal county football team ( ) represents Donegal in men's Gaelic football and is governed by Donegal GAA, the county board of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The team competes in the three major annual inter-county competitions; the Al ...
. Newcomers, such as
Odhrán Mac Niallais Odhrán Mac Niallais (born 17 August 1992) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Gaoth Dobhair and the Donegal county team. With two Ulster Senior Football Championships to his name, Mac Niallais was a prominent feature of the Donegal ...
, Kieran Gillespie, Michael Carroll and Cian Mulligan have secured places in the senior county football team in recent years.
Hurling Hurling ( ga, iománaíocht, ') is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic Irish origin, played by men. One of Ireland's native Gaelic games, it shares a number of features with Gaelic football, such as the field and goals, the number of p ...
was never a popular sport in Gweedore, with the exception of a briefly successful minor team in the late 1990s.


Golf

''Gailf Chumann Ghaoth Dobhair'', the local
golf club A golf club is a club used to hit a golf ball in a game of golf. Each club is composed of a shaft with a grip and a club head. Woods are mainly used for long-distance fairway or tee shots; irons, the most versatile class, are used for a variety ...
, is also situated in Machaire Gathlán. The 14-hole course hugs the picturesque north-west coast and holds several high-profile tournaments throughout the year, most notably, 'The Clannad Classic', sponsored by the world-renowned local folk band.


Soccer

Soccer clubs active in the area include Gweedore Celtic, Gweedore United, Glenea United and Dunlewey Celtic. All teams take part in both county and national competitions. Scottish soccer player
Paddy Crerand Paddy may refer to: People *Paddy (given name), a list of people with the given name or nickname *An ethnic slur for an Irishman Birds *Paddy (pigeon), a Second World War carrier pigeon *Snowy sheathbill or paddy, a bird species *Black-faced sh ...
's mother hailed from Gweedore. Still a regular visitor to the area, Crerand broadcast an episode of his MUTV show ''The Paddy Crerand Show'' live from the Ostan Gweedore Hotel in March 2012.
Aiden McGeady Aiden John McGeady (born 4 April 1986) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Scottish Premiership club Hibernian. Born in Scotland, he represented the Republic of Ireland national team from 2004 until 2017. He started his c ...
's paternal grandparents also hail from Gweedore and he spent many of his summer holidays in the parish.


Currach racing

''Cumann na gCurach'', based at Machaire Gathlán, is a voluntary group that organises
currach A currach ( ) is a type of Irish boat with a wooden frame, over which animal skins or hides were once stretched, though now canvas is more usual. It is sometimes anglicised as "curragh". The construction and design of the currach are unique ...
races and takes part in numerous races all over the country.


Arts and culture


Music

Gweedore is famed for its
traditional Irish music Irish traditional music (also known as Irish trad, Irish folk music, and other variants) is a genre of folk music that developed in Ireland. In ''A History of Irish Music'' (1905), W. H. Grattan Flood wrote that, in Gaelic Ireland, there w ...
scene, which is prevalent in local taverns, especially at Hiúdaí Beag's Tavern in Bunbeg. Gweedore has produced a number of well-known musicians.
Clannad Clannad () is an Irish band formed in 1970 in Gweedore, County Donegal by siblings Ciarán, Pól, and Moya Brennan and their twin uncles Noel and Pádraig Duggan. They have adopted various musical styles throughout their history, including ...
were formed in 1970, and have since gone on to sell over 15 million records. Lead singer
Moya Brennan Moya Brennan (born Máire Philomena Ní Bhraonáin on 4 August 1952), also known as Máire Brennan, is an Irish folk singer, songwriter, harpist, and philanthropist. She is the sister of the musical artist known as Enya. She began performing pr ...
has also enjoyed a successful solo career, providing musical scores for several Hollywood films. Altan (initially ''Ceoltóirí Altan''), another highly successful local band, is led by Coshclady
fiddle A fiddle is a bowed string musical instrument, most often a violin. It is a colloquial term for the violin, used by players in all genres, including classical music. Although in many cases violins and fiddles are essentially synonymous, th ...
r
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (; born 26 July 1959) is an Irish fiddler and the lead vocalist for the Irish folk music band Altan, which she co-founded with her late husband Frankie Kennedy in 1987. Today, Mairéad is recognised as a leading exponen ...
. Gweedore's most successful musician is
Enya Enya Patricia Brennan (; ga, Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin; born 17 May 1961), known professionally by the mononym Enya, is an Irish singer, songwriter, and musician known for modern Celtic music. She is the best-selling Irish solo arti ...
, born as Eithne Ní Bhraonáin; she first appeared on stage in
Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair (), anglicized as Gweedore Theatre, is a local theatre in the Gaeltacht region of Derrybeg in the parish of Gweedore, County Donegal, Ireland. It seats over 200 patrons, and ever since it was opened by actress Siobhán ...
as a member of Clannad, before going on to become one of the world's biggest-selling artists, with sales exceeding 80 million. Other local singers include
Aoife Ní Fhearraigh Aoife Ní Fhearraigh (), or simply Aoife, is an Irish singer. A well-known interpreter of Irish Gaelic songs, she released her first recording in 1991 and worked with Moya Brennan to produce her much acclaimed 1996 album ''Aoife''. She reached in ...
,
Brídín Brennan Brídín Ní Bhraonáin, professionally known as Brídín Brennan, is an Irish pop singer from Dobhar (Dore), Gweedore, County Donegal. She is the sister of Enya, Moya and Pól Brennan, and has also toured with family-band Clannad. Her precise ...
,
Na Casaidigh Na Casaidigh or The Cassidys are an Irish traditional group. They have been based in Dublin for many years, but they originally hail from Gweedore, County Donegal. The group consists of brothers Aongus, Seathrún, Ciarán, Fionntán, Feargus, an ...
,
Proinsias Ó Maonaigh Proinsias Ó Maonaigh () or Francie Mooney (28 April 1922 – 28 March 2006) was a fiddler from Gweedore (Gaoth Dobhair), County Donegal, Ireland. He is known for his distinguished fiddle playing and his unique and vast contribution to Irish musi ...
, Gearóidín Bhreathnach, Seamus McGee and
Maria McCool Maria McCool (born 23 May 1974) ( ga, Maria Nic Cumhaill) is an Irish people, Irish singer from Gweedore, County Donegal. She is well known for performing old Irish songs in her native Irish and in English. Her albums include ''Ailleog'' and ''Do ...
. The well-known 1970s group
Skara Brae Skara Brae is a stone-built Neolithic settlement, located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of Mainland, the largest island in the Orkney archipelago of Scotland. Consisting of ten clustered houses, made of flagstones, in earthen dams ...
also had strong links with the district. There are two active choirs in the area. Cór Mhuire Doirí Beaga, led by
Baba Brennan Clannad () is an Irish band formed in 1970 in Gweedore, County Donegal by siblings Ciarán, Pól, and Moya Brennan and their twin uncles Noel and Pádraig Duggan. They have adopted various musical styles throughout their history, including f ...
and Eileen Nic Suibhne and Cór Thaobh 'a Leithid, led by Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde. Both have recorded successful albums. The song " Gleanntáin Ghlas' Ghaoth Dobhair" was written by local musician
Francie Mooney Francie is a given name, often a shortened form of Francis (male) or Frances (female). The name may refer to: People: * Francie Barrett (born 1977), Irish boxer * Francie Bellew (born 1976), Irish Gaelic footballer *Francie Brolly (born 1947), No ...
, expressing an exile's final farewell to the green valleys of Gweedore. It has become a modern Irish classic and it has been covered by the likes of Clannad,
Paul Brady Paul Joseph Brady (born 19 May 1947) is an Irish singer-songwriter and musician from Strabane, Northern Ireland. His work straddles folk and pop. He was interested in a wide variety of music from an early age. Initially popular for playing ...
,
Dáithí Sproule Dáithí Sproule (born 23 May 1950) is a guitarist and singer of traditional Irish music. He is the grandson of Frank Carney and uncle of singer Claire Sproule. Biography Born and raised in Derry, Northern Ireland, at the age of 18 he moved ...
,
The Johnstons The Johnstons were an Irish close-harmony folk band, founded in Slane, County Meath, Ireland, consisting of siblings Adrienne, Luci and Michael Johnston. Career The Johnstons began performing in the early 1960s in Slane. They signed to Pye Reco ...
and most notably by Altan. Other well-known songs to have come from the area are " Trasna na dTonnta" and "
Báidín Fheilimí Báidín Fheilimí is a traditional Irish song, which originates in the Gaeltacht region in the north-west of County Donegal. It is usually taught to young children. The lyrics are in Irish and is based on the immortalization of a small boat owned ...
".


Festivals

The popular Scoil Gheimhridh Frankie Kennedy ("
Frankie Kennedy Frankie Kennedy (30 September 1955 – 19 September 1994) was a flute and tin whistle player born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He was also the co-founder of the band Altan, formed with his wife Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh. The popular '' Frankie Ke ...
Winter School") took place in Gweedore every New Year until January 2014 in memory of the eponymous Belfast musician, who was married to its founder,
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (; born 26 July 1959) is an Irish fiddler and the lead vocalist for the Irish folk music band Altan, which she co-founded with her late husband Frankie Kennedy in 1987. Today, Mairéad is recognised as a leading exponen ...
, until he died of cancer in 1994. It has been replaced by the ''Scoil Gheimhridh Ghaoth Dobhair'' ("Gweedore Winter School"). Several attempts have been made recently to revive festivals in the summer months, including ''Féile Earthcore'', ''Loinneog Lúnasa'' and ''Féile Ceoil Ghaoth Dobhair''. The annual
Saint Patrick's Day Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick ( ga, Lá Fhéile Pádraig, lit=the Day of the Festival of Patrick), is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (), the foremost patr ...
Parade which goes from Bunbeg crossroads to Derrybeg attracts thousands of participants and spectators each year.


Theatre

Gweedore has a rich history of theatre and drama productions. The local theatre
Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair (), anglicized as Gweedore Theatre, is a local theatre in the Gaeltacht region of Derrybeg in the parish of Gweedore, County Donegal, Ireland. It seats over 200 patrons, and ever since it was opened by actress Siobhán ...
was constructed in 1961. A local theatre group known as ''Aisteoirí Ghaoth Dobhair'' ('actors of Gweedore') was established in 1932. Their first production was called ''In Aimsir an Mháirtínigh'', an original play by Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde which was staged in the parish hall in Derrybeg. Their plays and pantomimes, which were all staged in
Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...
, became a staple of Gaeltacht social life, drawing audiences from as far as
Belfast Belfast ( , ; from ga, Béal Feirste , meaning 'mouth of the sand-bank ford') is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. It is the 12th-largest city in the United Kingdo ...
and they performed throughout Ireland and
Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...
. Members of the theatre group have gone on to create TV shows including '' CU Burn'' ( Seán Mac Fhionnghaile), and have appeared on ''
Ros na Rún () is an Irish soap opera produced for the Irish-language television channel TG4. The series is set in a fictional village called Ros Na Rún, located near to An Spidéal, and focuses on the domestic and professional lives of its residents. ...
'' (
Gavin Ó Fearraigh Gavin Ó Fearraigh (born 5 May 1980) is an Ireland, Irish actor, dancer and model. He is most notable for his role as ''Conall Daly'' in the TG4 soap ''Ros na Rún''. He came first in the Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) reality show ''Celebrit ...
). Many of Gweedore's musicians were associated with the group. ''Aisteoirí Ghaoth Dobhair'' are still active and performed shows at
An Grianán Theatre An Grianán Theatre ( ga, Amharclann an Ghrianáin) is the largest theatre in County Donegal. Located in Letterkenny's Port Road district, its current director is Patricia McBride. With a seating capacity of 383, the theatre provides a range of p ...
in Letterkenny as part of the Earagail Arts Festival in 2010 and 2011.


Art

Gaoth Dobhair is home to two art galleries which house work by some of the area's best-known painters. ''An Clachán'' claims to be the largest art gallery in Donegal, whilst ''An Gailearaí'' at Áislann Ghaoth Dobhair has staged exhibitions based on the work of the world-renowned Derek Hill.


Religion

The
Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...
parish of Gweedore has four churches: ''Teach Pobal Mhuire'' (St Mary's) in Derrybeg (built in 1972, after the previous 'old chapel' had flooded on many occasions), ''Teach Pobail an Chroí Naofa'' (Sacred Heart) in Dunlewey (built in 1877), ''Teach Pobail Naomh Pádraig'' (St Patrick's) in Meenaweel (built in 1938) and ''Séipéal Cholmcille'' (St Columba's) in Bloody Foreland (built in 1933). The only Protestant church in Gweedore is St Patrick's
Church of Ireland The Church of Ireland ( ga, Eaglais na hÉireann, ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Kirk o Airlann, ) is a Christian church in Ireland and an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. It is organised on an all-Ireland basis and is the second ...
, in Bunbeg.


Media


Radio

The regional studios of the Irish language radio station
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta (; "Radio of the Gaeltacht"), abbreviated RnaG, is an Irish language radio station owned and operated by Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). The station is available on FM in Ireland and via satellite and on the Intern ...
are in the townland of Derrybeg. Two radio shows are broadcast from Gweedore each day, as well as regional news every hour.


Gallery

File:Dunlewy - Derelict church with walled yard and gate - geograph.org.uk - 1190473.jpg, Derelict Church of Ireland in Dunlewey File:RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Doirí Beaga, Gaoth Dobhair, Dún na nGall.jpg,
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta (; "Radio of the Gaeltacht"), abbreviated RnaG, is an Irish language radio station owned and operated by Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). The station is available on FM in Ireland and via satellite and on the Intern ...
studios in Derrybeg File:View across Dunmore Strand to Inishinny - geograph.org.uk - 305455.jpg, Inishinny Island File:Magheragallonpier2.JPG, Cití Archie's pier, Magheragallon File:Gweedore area - Bloody Foreland - geograph.org.uk - 1337837.jpg, Cliffs at Bloody Foreland File:Hiudaibeag.jpg, Hiúdaí Beag's Tavern in Bunbeg File:Glassagh - R257 north of Teac Jack's Hotel - geograph.org.uk - 1180037.jpg, Glassagh File:Meenaclady - Cottage east of Bloody Foreland - geograph.org.uk - 1180575.jpg, Bloody Foreland File:Anbunbeag2.jpg, Bunbeg harbour File:Crolly (Croishlí) - geograph.org.uk - 501575.jpg, Crolly Bridge File:Sean Teach Phobail na Doirí Beaga.jpg, Old Chapel in Derrybeg File:Golabeach.jpg, Gola Island File:Gweedore area - Sheep grazing along R257 - geograph.org.uk - 1337991.jpg, Sheep grazing in Meenaclady File:Bunbeg - Magheragallon Cemetery - geograph.org.uk - 1177853.jpg, Church ruins in Magheragallon cemetery File:Badeddie.jpg, 'Bád Eddie' shipwreck on Magheraclogher beach


Place names in Gweedore

Because Gweedore is in the
Gaeltacht ( , , ) are the districts of Ireland, individually or collectively, where the Irish government recognises that the Irish language is the predominant vernacular, or language of the home. The ''Gaeltacht'' districts were first officially recog ...
and partly due to the provisions of the
Official Languages Act 2003 The Official Languages Act 2003 ( ga, Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003) is an Act of the Oireachtas of Ireland. The Act sets out rules regarding use of the Irish language by public bodies; established the office of to monitor and enforce compli ...
, only the original Irish versions of placenames have any legal status, and these are used on road signage. However Anglicised versions were created for most placenames and are still in informal use in English.


Alphabetical listing

* Áit an tSeantí (''Attantantee'') * An tArd Donn (''Arduns'') * Ard na gCeapairí (''Ardnagappery'') * Baile an Droichid (''Ballindrait'') * An Baile Láir (''Middletown'') * An Bun Beag (''
Bunbeg ''An Bun Beag'' (anglicised as Bunbeg), meaning "the small river mouth", is a small Gaeltacht village and townland in County Donegal, Ireland. It is officially the smallest townland in ''Gaoth Dobhair'' (Gweedore), but today the name Bunbeg is ...
'') * Bun an Inbhir (''Bunaninver'') * Bun an Leaca (''Brinlack ''or'' Brinaleck'') * An Charraig (''Carrick'') * Carraig an tSeascain (''Carrickataskin'') * An Chorrmhín (''Corveen'') * Cnoc an Stolaire (''Knockastolar'') * Cnoc Fola (''Bloody Foreland'') * Coitín ''or'' An Choiteann (''Cotteen'') * Croichshlí ''or'' Croithlí (''
Crolly ''Croithlí'' or ''Croichshlí'' (anglicised as Crolly) is a village in the ''Gaeltacht'' parishes of Gweedore (''Gaoth Dobhair'') and The Rosses (''Na Rossan'') in the west of County Donegal, Ireland. The two parishes are separated by the Crolly ...
'') * Dobhar (''Dore'') * Na Doirí Beaga ''or'' Doire Beag (''
Derrybeg Doirí Beaga (anglicised as Derrybeg, meaning 'small oak trees'), is a Gaeltacht village and townland in the parish of Gweedore (''Gaoth Dobhair'') in County Donegal, Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in t ...
'') * Dún Lúiche (''Dunlewey'') * Glaise Chú (''Glasserchoo'') * An Ghlaisigh (''Glassagh'') * Gleann Tornáin (''Glentornan'') * Gleann Ualach (''Glenhola'') * An Luinnigh (''Lunniagh'') * Loch Caol (''Loughkeel'') * Machaire Chlochair (''Magheraclogher'') * Machaire Gathlán (''Magheragallon'' or ''Magheragallen'') * Machaire Loisce (''Magheralosk'') * Mín an Chladaigh (''Meenacladdy'') * Mín a Loch (''Meenalough'') * Mín an Iolair (''Meenaniller'') * Mín na Cuinge (''Meenacuing'') * Mín Uí Bhaoill (''Meenaweel'') * Mín Doire Dhaimh (''Meenderrygamph'') * Muine Dubh (''Meenaduff'') * Na Machaireacha * Port Uí Chuireáin (''Curransport'') * An Rampar * An Screabán * An Seascann Beag (''Sheskinbeg'') * An Sloitheán (''Sleghan'') * Srath Máirtín (''Stramartin'') * Srath na Bruaí (''Stranabooey'') * Srath na Corcrach (''Stranacorkra'') * An Tor (''Torr'')


Rivers

* Abhainn Chró Nimhe ('' Cronaniv Burn'') * Abhainn Dhuibhlinne (''Devlin River'') * An Chláidigh (''
Clady River The River Clady is a mid-scale river in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, a tributary of the Lower Bann. It forms from the confluence of the Grillagh River and Knockoneil River. Course The river flows through the flatlands outside C ...
'')


Islands

* Gabhla ('' Gola'') * Inis Meáin ('' Inishmeane'') * Inis Oirthear ('' Inishsirrer'') * Inis Sionnaigh (''Inishinny'') * Umthoinn (''Umpin '') :* Toraigh (''
Tory A Tory () is a person who holds a political philosophy known as Toryism, based on a British version of traditionalism and conservatism, which upholds the supremacy of social order as it has evolved in the English culture throughout history. Th ...
''), although not directly situated off the coast of Gweedore, the main ferry crossings are from the area.


Notable people

The following is a list of notable people from the area: *
Moya Brennan Moya Brennan (born Máire Philomena Ní Bhraonáin on 4 August 1952), also known as Máire Brennan, is an Irish folk singer, songwriter, harpist, and philanthropist. She is the sister of the musical artist known as Enya. She began performing pr ...
(born 1952) - musician and singer *
Cormac Breslin Cormac Michael Breslin (25 April 1902 – 23 January 1978) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann from 1967 to 1973. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1937 to 1977. He was born in Bunbeg, Gwee ...
(1902-1978) -
Fianna Fáil Fianna Fáil (, ; meaning 'Soldiers of Destiny' or 'Warriors of Fál'), officially Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party ( ga, audio=ga-Fianna Fáil.ogg, Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach), is a conservative and Christian- ...
TD and Ceann Comhairle *
Kevin Cassidy Kevin Cassidy (born 1981) is an Irish-Scottish Gaelic footballer, businessperson, columnist and commentator. Though born in Glasgow, Scotland, he has been living in Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal from a young age. Cassidy plays his club footbal ...
(born 1981) -
Gaelic football Gaelic football ( ga, Peil Ghaelach; short name '), commonly known as simply Gaelic, GAA or Football is an Irish team sport. It is played between two teams of 15 players on a rectangular grass pitch. The objective of the sport is to score by kic ...
er and All-Star *
Clannad Clannad () is an Irish band formed in 1970 in Gweedore, County Donegal by siblings Ciarán, Pól, and Moya Brennan and their twin uncles Noel and Pádraig Duggan. They have adopted various musical styles throughout their history, including ...
, Grammy Award-winning band *
Vincent Coll Vincent "Mad Dog" Coll (born Uinseann Ó Colla, July 20, 1908 – February 8, 1932) was an Irish-American mob hitman in the 1920s and early 1930s in New York City. Coll gained notoriety for the allegedly accidental killing of a young child durin ...
(1908-1932) - prohibition-era gangster *
Breandán de Gallaí Breandán de Gallaí, a.k.a. Brendan de Gallaí or Brendan Galway (born 10 June 1969), is a professional Irish dancer who is most famous for his lead role in ''Riverdance'' and as a TV personality on TG4. He is currently a dance director for ''Ri ...
(born 1969) - former lead dancer with
Riverdance ''Riverdance'' is a theatrical show that consists mainly of traditional Irish music and dance. With a score composed by Bill Whelan, it originated as an interval act during the Eurovision Song Contest 1994, featuring Irish dancing champions Jean ...
*
Pearse Doherty Pearse Daniel Doherty (born 6 July 1977) is an Irish Sinn Féin politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Donegal constituency since the 2016 general election, and previously a TD for the Donegal South-West constituency from 2010 to ...
(born 1977) -
Sinn Féin Sinn Féin ( , ; en, " eOurselves") is an Irish republican and democratic socialist political party active throughout both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The original Sinn Féin organisation was founded in 1905 by Arthur Gri ...
TD * James Duffy (1889-1969) - recipient of the
Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously. It was previously ...
*
Enya Enya Patricia Brennan (; ga, Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin; born 17 May 1961), known professionally by the mononym Enya, is an Irish singer, songwriter, and musician known for modern Celtic music. She is the best-selling Irish solo arti ...
(born 1961) - musician and singer *
Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí is an Irish broadcaster who broadcasts mainly through Irish. He is known particularly for his popular magazine programme ''Rónán Beo'' on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. He was born on 6 May 1970 in Cork, but was brought ...
(born 1970) - radio personality * Seán Mac Fhionnghaile (1952-2009) - actor * Kevin Gillespie (born 1972) - Catholic Monsignor * Tarlach Mac Suibhne (1831-1916) - musician * John McCole (1936-1982) - soccer player; born in
Glasgow Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated popul ...
but buried in Gweedore where his parents were from. *
Na Mooneys NA, N.A., Na, nA or n/a may refer to: Chemistry and physics * Sodium, symbol Na, a chemical element * Avogadro constant (''N''A) * Nucleophilic addition, a type of reaction in organic chemistry * Numerical aperture, a number that characterizes a ...
, family folk band *
Neil McGee Neil McGee (born 13 November 1985) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Gaoth Dobhair and, formerly, both the Donegal county team and the Ireland international rules football team. From Gweedore in County Donegal, he won three All St ...
(born 1985) - All-Ireland winning
Gaelic football Gaelic football ( ga, Peil Ghaelach; short name '), commonly known as simply Gaelic, GAA or Football is an Irish team sport. It is played between two teams of 15 players on a rectangular grass pitch. The objective of the sport is to score by kic ...
er and All-Star * Eamon McGee (born 1984) - All-Ireland winning
Gaelic football Gaelic football ( ga, Peil Ghaelach; short name '), commonly known as simply Gaelic, GAA or Football is an Irish team sport. It is played between two teams of 15 players on a rectangular grass pitch. The objective of the sport is to score by kic ...
er * Dinny McGinley (born 1945) - former
Fine Gael Fine Gael (, ; English: "Family (or Tribe) of the Irish") is a liberal-conservative and Christian-democratic political party in Ireland. Fine Gael is currently the third-largest party in the Republic of Ireland in terms of members of Dáil ...
TD. and Minister of State *
Sean McGinley Sean, also spelled Seán or Séan in Irish English, is a male given name of Irish origin. It comes from the Irish versions of the Biblical Hebrew name ''Yohanan'' (), Seán (anglicized as ''Shaun/ Shawn/ Shon'') and Séan (Ulster variant; angli ...
(born 1956) - actor *
Odhrán Mac Niallais Odhrán Mac Niallais (born 17 August 1992) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Gaoth Dobhair and the Donegal county team. With two Ulster Senior Football Championships to his name, Mac Niallais was a prominent feature of the Donegal ...
(born 1992) -
Gaelic football Gaelic football ( ga, Peil Ghaelach; short name '), commonly known as simply Gaelic, GAA or Football is an Irish team sport. It is played between two teams of 15 players on a rectangular grass pitch. The objective of the sport is to score by kic ...
er *
Francie Mooney Francie is a given name, often a shortened form of Francis (male) or Frances (female). The name may refer to: People: * Francie Barrett (born 1977), Irish boxer * Francie Bellew (born 1976), Irish Gaelic footballer *Francie Brolly (born 1947), No ...
(1922-2006) - musician *
Na Casaidigh Na Casaidigh or The Cassidys are an Irish traditional group. They have been based in Dublin for many years, but they originally hail from Gweedore, County Donegal. The group consists of brothers Aongus, Seathrún, Ciarán, Fionntán, Feargus, an ...
, traditional Irish band *
Natasha Nic Gairbheith Natasha Nic Gairbheith (born 1981) was crowned Miss Ireland on 5 July 2004, becoming the first ever fluent Irish-speaker to win the competition. She competed at Miss World 2004 where she did not place. She is originally from Gweedore, County Don ...
(born 1981) -
Miss Ireland Miss World Ireland is a national Beauty pageant in Ireland. Winners of the competition represent Ireland at Miss World. Among the winners are Rosanna Davison, who went on to win Miss World 2003, and Pamela Uba, who in 2021 became the first ...
2004 *
Aoife Ní Fhearraigh Aoife Ní Fhearraigh (), or simply Aoife, is an Irish singer. A well-known interpreter of Irish Gaelic songs, she released her first recording in 1991 and worked with Moya Brennan to produce her much acclaimed 1996 album ''Aoife''. She reached in ...
, singer *
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (; born 26 July 1959) is an Irish fiddler and the lead vocalist for the Irish folk music band Altan, which she co-founded with her late husband Frankie Kennedy in 1987. Today, Mairéad is recognised as a leading exponen ...
(born 1959) - musician and singer * Patrick O'Donnell (1835-1883) - Irish Republican *
Gavin Ó Fearraigh Gavin Ó Fearraigh (born 5 May 1980) is an Ireland, Irish actor, dancer and model. He is most notable for his role as ''Conall Daly'' in the TG4 soap ''Ros na Rún''. He came first in the Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) reality show ''Celebrit ...
(born 1980) - actor/model *
Bríd Rodgers Bríd Rodgers (; born 20 February 1935) in Gweedore, County Donegal, Ireland, is an Irish nationalist former politician. Although born and brought up in a Gaeltacht area in the west of County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland, she was politi ...
(born 1935) -
SDLP The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ( ga, Páirtí Sóisialta Daonlathach an Lucht Oibre) is a social-democratic and Irish nationalist political party in Northern Ireland. The SDLP currently has eight members in the Northern Irela ...
politician,
Member of the Legislative Assembly A member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to a legislative assembly. Most often, the term refers to a subnational assembly such as that of a state, province, or territory of a country. S ...
for Upper Bann.


See also

* List of towns and villages in Ireland *
Teach Mhicí Teach Mhicí is an Irish pub in Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal. It is currently operated by members of the family of and in-laws of the Gaoth Dobhair and Donegal Gaelic footballer Kevin Cassidy. Cassidy's father-in-law, the former Donegal foo ...


Notes


References


External links


Gaothdobhair.ie. Official website for Gweedore by the Gweedore Tourist & Traders Community group

Gaothdobhair.ie. English Version of Official Gweedore Website

Gweedore.net – Your Guide to Gaoth Dobhair ... The Heart and Soul of Donegal


* ttps://web.archive.org/web/20130227005844/http://anghaeltacht.net/ctg/catagoira.pdf Gweedore pop stats 2006br>Wild Atlantic Gweedore - Website promoting the beauty and history of Gweedore
{{Authority control Gaeltacht places in County Donegal Gaeltacht towns and villages Geography of County Donegal Townlands of County Donegal Towns and villages in County Donegal