This is a list of people from

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 ...

Sport

Packie Bonner Patrick Joseph Bonner (born 24 May 1960) is an Irish retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper and spent his entire career at Celtic. He earned a total of 80 caps for the Republic of Ireland national football team after making his debut on h ...

, former

Glasgow Celtic The Celtic Football Club, commonly known as Celtic (), is a Scottish professional football club based in Glasgow, which plays in the Scottish Premiership. The club was founded in 1887 with the purpose of alleviating poverty in the immigran ...

and

Republic of Ireland Ireland ( ga, Éire ), also known as the Republic of Ireland (), is a country in north-western Europe consisting of 26 of the 32 counties of the island of Ireland. The capital and largest city is Dublin, on the eastern side of the island. A ...

goalkeeper *

Séamus Coleman Séamus Coleman (; born 11 October 1988) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a right-back and captains both Premier League club Everton and the Republic of Ireland national team. Originally a Gaelic footballer, Coleman started hi ...

plays right back for Everton and

Philip Deignan Philip Deignan ( ga, Pilib Ó Duígeannáin; born 7 September 1983) is an Irish former professional road racing cyclist, who rode professionally between 2005 and 2018 for the , , , and squads. A former Olympian, Deignan won a stage in the 200 ...

, former professional cyclist *

Ronan McLaughlin Ronan McLaughlin (born 11 March 1987) is an Irish cyclist who currently rides for amateur team Dan Morrissey–MIG.ie–Pactimo. He also rode for UCI Continental team from 2008 until 2013, and competed in the road race at the 2012 UCI Road Wor ...

, former professional cyclist *

Gary Doherty Gary Michael Thomas Doherty (born 31 January 1980) is an Irish former professional association football, footballer who played as a defender, having previously also played as a forward (association football), forward. He gained international hon ...

, former professional

association football Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players who primarily use their feet to propel the ball around a rectangular field called a pitch. The objective of the game is ...

player *

John Dunleavy John Francis Dunleavy (born 3 July 1991) is an Irish footballer who plays as a defender. He currently plays for Finn Harps in the League of Ireland. Career Dunleavy joined Wolverhampton Wanderers academy in October 2006, rejecting the chance ...

Sligo Rovers F.C. Sligo Rovers Football Club ( ga, Cumann Peile Ruagairí Shligigh) is an Irish professional association football, football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club is based in Sligo in the west of Ireland. The clu ...

centre-back *

Sharon Foley Sharon Gallen ( ; ; born 20 May 1972) is an Irish former track and field athlete who specialised in the high jump. She also competed in the triple jump, pentathlon and heptathlon. A winner of 22 Irish national titles, she competed in the high ju ...

, international athlete *

Dave Gallaher David Gallaher (30October 1873 – 4October 1917) was an Irish-born New Zealand rugby union footballer best remembered as the captain of the "Original All Blacks"—the 1905–06 New Zealand national team, the first representative New Zealand ...

, former

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

Rugby Union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In its m ...

player and captain *

Shay Given Séamus John James Given (born 20 April 1976) is an Irish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. With 134 caps, he is the second-highest capped Republic of Ireland player. Given started his career at Celtic, however he neve ...

, former

and current

Stoke City Stoke City Football Club is a professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, which competes in the . Founded as Stoke Ramblers in 1863, it changed its name to Stoke in 1878 and then to Stoke City in 1925 after Stoke ...

goalkeeper *

Caitriona Jennings Caitriona Jennings (born 17 June 1980; from Letterkenny, County Donegal) is an Irish long distance runner who competed in the marathon at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom. Early life Jennings attended Loreto Convent Seconda ...

, international athlete and Olympian * Sinéad Lynch, Olympic rowing finalist *

Conrad Logan Conrad Joseph Logan (born 18 April 1986) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Anstey Nomads. Logan joined the Leicester City academy in 2001, making his professional debut in 2005. He largely served Leicester as a ...

Rochdale A.F.C. Rochdale Association Football Club is a professional football club based in the town of Rochdale, Lancashire, England. The team currently compete in League Two, the fourth tier of the English football league system. Nicknamed 'The Dale', they ha ...

goalkeeper *

Brian McEniff Brian McEniff (born 1 December 1942) is a former Gaelic football manager, administrator and player. McEniff played as a wing-back for the St Joseph's combination of clubs from Bundoran and Ballyshannon. He won seven Donegal Senior Football C ...

, former

Gaelic Athletic Association The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA; ga, Cumann Lúthchleas Gael ; CLG) is an Irish international amateur sporting and cultural organisation, focused primarily on promoting indigenous Gaelic games and pastimes, which include the traditional ...

county manager *

Michael Murphy Michael, Mick, or Mike Murphy may refer to: Artists and entertainers * Michael Murphy (actor) (born 1938), American actor * Mike Murphy (musician) (1946–2006), American drummer for the Bee Gees and Chicago * Michael Bryan Murphy, lead singer o ...

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 ...

player *

Colm McFadden Colm Anthony McFadden ( ga, Colm Antóin Mac Pháidín; born 1982/3) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays at full forward for St Michael's and, from 2002 to 2016, for the Donegal county team. McFadden is Donegal's most-capped Championship ...

, Gaelic Football player *

Kevin McHugh Kevin McHugh ( ga, Caoimhín MacAodha); born 19 January 1980 in Letterkenny, Ireland) is an Irish former footballer and current manager of Finn Harps F.C. under-15 League of Ireland team. He is considered one of Donegal's best-known sportstars. ...

Finn Harps F.C. Finn Harps Football Club ( ga, Cumann Peile Chláirsigh na Finne) are an Irish association football, football club that play in the League of Ireland First Division, First Division of the League of Ireland, as of 2023. The club was founded in 195 ...

under-15 manager *

Carl McHugh Carl Gerard McHugh (born 5 February 1993) is an Irish professional footballer who plays for Indian Super League club ATK Mohun Bagan. Primarily a central defender, McHugh can also play as a left-back, and even as a defensive midfielder. Club ca ...

ATK Mohun Bagan FC ATK Mohun Bagan FC () is an Indian professional football club based in Kolkata, West Bengal. The club competes in Indian Super League, the top flight of Indian football. The club, which was formed as a merger between the football section of m ...

defender *

Stephen McLaughlin Stephen Antony McLaughlin (born 14 June 1990) is an Irish footballer who plays for League Two club Mansfield Town as a defender. Career Early years McLaughlin began his career at his local club St. Mary's, and played all his under-age footb ...

Mansfield Town F.C. Mansfield Town Football Club is a professional football club based in the town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England. The team competes in , the fourth tier of the English football league system. Nicknamed 'The Stags', they play in a blue and ye ...

winger *

Larissa Muldoon Larissa Muldoon (born 11 March 1991), from Ballybofey, Co Donegal, is a rugby union player for Railway Union, Ulster rugby and the Irish Rugby Football Union. Her first sport was ladies gaelic football which she played for Donegal at Under-14 ...

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

women's

scrum-half *

Jason Quigley Jason Quigley is an Australian rules football field umpire in the Australian Football League The Australian Football League (AFL) is the only fully professional competition of Australian rules football. Through the AFL Commission, the AF ...

, professional boxer *

Ricky Simms PACE Sports Management is a sports management and marketing company based in Monaco and London, directed by Ricky Simms. Background KIM McDonald International management was founded in the 80's by former middle distance runner Kim McDonald. Th ...

, London-based manager of

Usain Bolt Usain St. Leo Bolt, , (; born 21 August 1986) is a retired Jamaican sprinter, widely considered to be the greatest sprinter of all time. He is the world record holder in the 100 metres, 200 metres, and 4 × 100 metres relay. An eight- ...

; Simms is a native of

Milford Milford may refer to: Place names Canada * Milford (Annapolis), Nova Scotia * Milford (Halifax), Nova Scotia * Milford, Ontario England * Milford, Derbyshire * Milford, Devon, a place in Devon * Milford on Sea, Hampshire * Milford, Shro ...

Nora Stapleton Nora Stapleton is a former Ireland women's rugby union international. Stapleton represented Ireland at the 2010, 2014 and 2017 Women's Rugby World Cups. She was also a member of the Ireland teams that won the 2013 and 2015 Women's Six Nations ...

women's

fly-half In the game of rugby union, there are 15 players on each team, comprising eight forwards (wearing jerseys numbered 1–8) and seven backs (numbered 9–15). In addition, there may be up to eight replacement players "on the bench", numbered 16– ...

* Mark English,

middle-distance runner Middle-distance running events are track races longer than sprints, up to 3000 metres. The standard middle distances are the 800 metres, 1500 metres and mile run, although the 3000 metres may also be classified as a middle-distance event. The 1 ...

Churchmen

Adomnán Adomnán or Adamnán of Iona (, la, Adamnanus, Adomnanus; 624 – 704), also known as Eunan ( ; from ), was an abbot of Iona Abbey ( 679–704), hagiographer, statesman, canon jurist, and saint. He was the author of the ''Life of Co ...

– also known as Saint Eunan; Abbot of

Iona Iona (; gd, Ì Chaluim Chille (IPA: �iːˈxaɫ̪ɯimˈçiʎə, sometimes simply ''Ì''; sco, Iona) is a small island in the Inner Hebrides, off the Ross of Mull on the western coast of Scotland. It is mainly known for Iona Abbey, though there ...

679–704. *

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 ...

– or Saint Colmcille, one of the three

patron saint A patron saint, patroness saint, patron hallow or heavenly protector is a saint who in Catholicism, Anglicanism, or Eastern Orthodoxy is regarded as the heavenly advocate of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or perso ...

s of Ireland. *

Francis Alison Francis Alison (1705–1779) was a leading minister in the Synod of Philadelphia during The Old Side-New Side Controversy Biography Early life and education Alison was born in Donegal, Ireland and studied at the University of Glasgow. It appears h ...

– prominent

Presbyterian Presbyterianism is a part of the Reformed tradition within Protestantism that broke from the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland by John Knox, who was a priest at St. Giles Cathedral (Church of Scotland). Presbyterian churches derive their nam ...

minister in the

Thirteen Colonies The Thirteen Colonies, also known as the Thirteen British Colonies, the Thirteen American Colonies, or later as the United Colonies, were a group of Kingdom of Great Britain, British Colony, colonies on the Atlantic coast of North America. Fo ...

and a leading member of the

Synod of the Trinity Synod of the Trinity is an upper judicatory of the Presbyterian Church headquartered in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. The synod oversees sixteen presbyteries covering all of Pennsylvania, most of West Virginia, and a portion of eastern Ohio. History ...

. At least three of the signatories of the

United States Declaration of Independence The United States Declaration of Independence, formally The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen States of America, is the pronouncement and founding document adopted by the Second Continental Congress meeting at Pennsylvania State House ...

were former students of Alison, who was born and raised in the

Parish A parish is a territorial entity in many Christian denominations, constituting a division within a diocese. A parish is under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of a priest, often termed a parish priest, who might be assisted by one or m ...

of Leck, on the outskirts of

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 ...

. *

Stopford Brooke Stopford Brooke may refer to; * Stopford Brooke (chaplain) (1832–1916), Irish writer, critic, clergyman, and royal chaplain * Stopford Brooke (politician) (1859–1938), British Member of Parliament, 1906–1910 {{hndis, Brooke, Stopford ...

–

Anglican Anglicanism is a Western Christian tradition that has developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the context of the Protestant Reformation in Europe. It is one of th ...

and, later, Unitarian clergyman and literary historian. He served as chaplain to The Crown Princess Friedrich of Prussia, 1863–1865, and later served as chaplain-in-ordinary to her mother,

Queen Victoria Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until Death and state funeral of Queen Victoria, her death in 1901. Her reign of 63 years and 21 ...

, 1875–1880. Was born and raised in Glendowan, just west of Letterkenny. *The Rev.

Francis Makemie Francis Makemie (1658–1708) was an Ulster Scots clergyman, considered to be the founder of Presbyterianism in the United States of America. Early and family life Makemie was born in Ramelton, County Donegal, Ireland (part of the Province of ...

– founder of

Presbyterianism Presbyterianism is a part of the Reformed tradition within Protestantism that broke from the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland by John Knox, who was a priest at St. Giles Cathedral (Church of Scotland). Presbyterian churches derive their nam ...

in what later became the United States. He was from

Ramelton Ramelton (; ), also Rathmelton, is a town and townland in County Donegal, Ireland. , its population was 1,266. History Ramelton is situated at the mouth of the River Lennon, 11 km north of Letterkenny and 4 km south of Milford, on the ...

. *

George Simms George Otto Simms (4 July 1910 – 15 November 1991) was an archbishop in the Church of Ireland. Early life and education George Otto Simms was born on 4 July 1910 in North Dublin in Ireland to parents John Francis A Simms & Ottilie Sophie Sta ...

–

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 ...

Primate of All Ireland The Primacy of Ireland was historically disputed between the Archbishop of Armagh and the Archbishop of Dublin until finally settled by Pope Innocent VI. ''Primate'' is a title of honour denoting ceremonial precedence in the Church, and in t ...

and

Archbishop of Armagh In Christian denominations, an archbishop is a bishop of higher rank or office. In most cases, such as the Catholic Church, there are many archbishops who either have jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province in addition to their own archdio ...

. A well known historian, he was from

Lifford Lifford (, historically anglicised as ''Liffer'') is the county town of County Donegal, Ireland, the administrative centre of the county and the seat of Donegal County Council, although the town of Letterkenny is often mistaken as holding this ...

Arts

Music

* Altan, folk band *

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 ...

, Celtic folk singer *

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 f ...

, folk band * John Doherty, fiddler *

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 ...

, singer *

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 int ...

, singer *

Rory Gallagher William Rory Gallagher ( ; 2 March 1948 – 14 June 1995) was an Irish guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer. Due to his virtuosic playing, but relative lack of fame compared to some others, he has been referred to as "the greatest ...

, blues/folk singer *

Conal Gallen Conal Gallen (born 22 September 1955) is an Irish comedian, actor and singer. He is best known for his comedy songs including "Horse It Into Ya Cynthia" and "I'll Make Love To You In The Henhouse (If You'll Only Egg Me On)". Personal life Thre ...

, singer *

Mickey Joe Harte Michael Joseph "Mickey Joe" Harte (born 21 August 1973), is an Irish singer-songwriter. He represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2003 with the song " We've Got the World". Early life Harte hails from Lifford, County Donegal. As ...

, singer/songwriter *

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 exponent ...

, fiddler *

Lee Mulhern Lee Mulhern (born 12 June 1988), now known as Lee Matthews, is an Irish singer-songwriter. Starting age 8, Lee Mulhern (his birth name) had performed as a child star prodigy covering pop and country songs on many Irish and UK radio and televisi ...

, singer/songwriter, member Of Stateside *

Daniel O'Donnell Daniel Francis Noel O'Donnell, MBE (born 12 December 1961) is an Irish singer, television presenter and philanthropist. After rising to public attention in 1983, he has since become a household name in Ireland and Britain; he has also had cons ...

, singer * Margo O'Donnell, singer *

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 ...

, fiddler *

Tommy Peoples Tommy Peoples (20 September 1948 – 4 August 2018) was an Irish fiddler who played in the Donegal fiddle tradition. Biography Peoples was born near St. Johnston, County Donegal, Ireland. He was a member of traditional Irish music groups, i ...

, fiddler *

The Revs The Revs are an indie rock band from Kilcar, County Donegal in Ireland. The group consisted of three childhood friends: Rory Gallagher (named after the famous blues guitarist Rory Gallagher and who had previously released the album ''20th Centur ...

, indie rock band

Literary

William Allingham William Allingham (19 March 1824 – 18 November 1889) was an Irish poet, diarist and editor. He wrote several volumes of lyric verse, and his poem "The Faeries" was much anthologised. But he is better known for his posthumously published ''Dia ...

, poet * E. Rentoul Esler, Late

Victorian Victorian or Victorians may refer to: 19th century * Victorian era, British history during Queen Victoria's 19th-century reign ** Victorian architecture ** Victorian house ** Victorian decorative arts ** Victorian fashion ** Victorian literature ...

and

Edwardian era The Edwardian era or Edwardian period of British history spanned the reign of King Edward VII, 1901 to 1910 and is sometimes extended to the start of the First World War. The death of Queen Victoria in January 1901 marked the end of the Victori ...

novelist. Born in

Manorcunningham Manorcunningham, or Manor (, meaning "the manor of Fort Cownyngham") is a small village and townland in County Donegal, Ireland. It is located 7 kilometers from Letterkenny on the main road to Derry. It is known locally and throughout Donegal as ...

. *

Neil McBride Neil McBride (13 April 1910 – 9 September 1974) was a British Labour Party politician. He was Member of Parliament for Swansea East from a by-election in 1963 until his death, aged 64, shortly before the October 1974 general election. ...

poet, author *

Frank McGuinness Professor Frank McGuinness (born 1953) is an Irish writer. As well as his own plays, which include '' The Factory Girls'', ''Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme'', ''Someone Who'll Watch Over Me'' and ''Dolly West's Kitchen'', ...

, playwright, poet, translator *

Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Mícheál Ó Cléirigh (), sometimes known as Michael O'Clery, was an Irish chronicler, scribe and antiquary and chief author of the ''Annals of the Four Masters,'' assisted by Cú Choigcríche Ó Cléirigh, Fearfeasa Ó Maol Chonaire, and Pereg ...

, one of the Four Masters *

Séamus Ó Grianna Séamus Ó Grianna (; 17 November 1889 – 27 November 1969; locally known also as Jimí Fheilimí) was an Irish writer, who used the pen name Máire. Biography Born to Feidhlimidh Mac Grianna and Máire Eibhlín Néillín Ní Dhomhnaill i ...

, writer *

Cathal Ó Searcaigh Cathal Ó Searcaigh (born 12 July 1956), is a modern Irish language poet. His work has been widely translated, anthologised and studied. "His confident internationalism", according to Theo Dorgan, has channeled "new modes, new possibilities, in ...

, poet *

John Toland John Toland (30 November 167011 March 1722) was an Irish people, Irish rationalist philosopher and freethought, freethinker, and occasional satirist, who wrote numerous books and pamphlets on political philosophy and philosophy of religion, whi ...

, philosopher, writer *

Patrick MacGill Patrick MacGill (24 December 1889 – 22 November 1963) was an Irish journalist, poet and novelist, known as "The Navvy Poet" because he had worked as a navvy before he began writing. Personal life MacGill was born in Glenties, County Donega ...

, writer *

Annemarie Ní Churreáin Annemarie Ní Churreáin is an Irish poet from North West Donegal. Career Ní Churreáin grew up in Donegal in a place called Cnoc Na Naomh. She was educated at the Oscar Wilde Centre at Trinity College, Dublin. Ní Churreáin is fluent in ...

, poet

Artists

Felim Egan Felim Egan (8 November 1952 – 19 November 2020) was an Irish painter. Biography Born in County Donegal, Egan attended St. Columb's College in Derry before studying Art in Belfast and Portsmouth and at the Slade School of Art in London. He liv ...

, painter *

Kenneth King (artist) Kenneth King, born in Dublin, Ireland (1939 - 2019) was a notable international marine artist who was a Chaplain in the Royal Navy before he became a full-time artist. King's studio, "Straid Studio-Gallery", is in Glencolmcille, a Gaeltacht or I ...

* Patsaí Dan Mac Ruairí, painter and " King of Tory" *

Sheila McClean Sheila McClean, RUA, (13 August 1932 – 5 August 2016) was an Irish painter, whose work was in the impressionist style. Life and work Sheila McClean was originally from Moville, County Donegal, Ireland and attended Thornhill College in Derry, ...

, painter *

Kevin Sharkey Kevin Sharkey (born 3 June 1961) is an Irish artist, political activist, and former television presenter and actor. He sought a nomination to run in the 2018 Irish presidential election, but withdrew his bid on 17 September 2018. Early life Sha ...

, painter

Actors

*Ray McAnally, actor *Keith McErlean, actor *Seán McGinley, actor *Gavin Ó Fearraigh, actor, model *Art Parkinson, actor *John D Ruddy, actor *Andrew Simpson (actor), Andrew Simpson, actor

Film

*Gerard Lough, Film director

Politics

*Ian Anderson (Manx politician), Ian Anderson, prominent Isle of Man, Manx politician who was a long-serving member of the Tynwald. From Rathmullan. *Harry Blaney, former Irish politician *Neil Blaney, former Irish politician *Niall Blaney, Irish politician *Brian Brady, Irish politician *Joseph Brennan (Fianna Fáil politician), Joseph Brennan, Irish politician *Isaac Butt, barrister, Member of parliament#United Kingdom, Member of Parliament and founder of the Home Rule League, Home Rule movement. Born and raised in Glenfin, a district near Ballybofey. *Francis Campbell (politician), Francis Campbell, former American politician *Bob Cooper (politician), Sir Bob Cooper, former Deputy Leader of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland and formerly the long-serving head of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. Born and raised in East Donegal. *Mary Coughlan (politician), Mary Coughlan, former Tánaiste and former Teachta Dála, TD for Donegal South-West (Dáil constituency), Donegal South-West. First woman to be appointed as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the Irish Government. *Pat "the Cope" Gallagher, Irish politician *Tommy Gallagher (politician), Tommy Gallagher, Social Democratic and Labour Party, SDLP politician who was formerly an Member of the Legislative Assembly (Northern Ireland), MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone (Assembly constituency), Fermanagh and South Tyrone *Paddy Harte, retired Irish politician *William Hay, Baron Hay of Ballyore, The Baron Hay of Ballyore, served as Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, 2007–2014. Lord Hay of Ballyore also served as an Member of the Legislative Assembly (Northern Ireland), MLA for Foyle (Assembly constituency), Foyle up until 2014. *Samuel Hays (Pennsylvania politician), Samuel Hays (1783–1868), American politician *Cahir Healy, journalist who was a very prominent Irish nationalism, Irish nationalist politician and who was a long-serving Member of Parliament for County Fermanagh. Born and raised near Mountcharles *James Hewitt, 4th Viscount Lifford, The 4th Viscount Lifford, peer of the realm, peer who once served as the Deputy Lieutenant of County Donegal. He also served as High Sheriff of Donegal, 1841–1845. Lord Lifford was also a prominent businessman in the county, serving as Chairman of the Finn Valley Railway c. 1860. He also served as Chairman of the West Donegal Railway. He sat as an List of Irish representative peers, Irish representative peers in the House of Lords, 1856-1887 *Colonel (British Army), Colonel Michael McCorkell, Sir Michael McCorkell, British Army soldier who became a prominent Ulster Unionist Party politician in Derry. He served as Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry, 1975–2000. Born in Buncrana. *Basil McCrea, formerly a prominent Unionism in Ireland, Unionist politician in the Northern Ireland Assembly. He was the leader of NI21 from 2013 to 2016, and was previously a member of the Ulster Unionist Party, UUP. He was born in

. *Jim McDaid, Irish politician *Dinny McGinley, Irish politician *Joe McHugh, Irish politician *James McNulty (Irish activist), James McNulty, Irish political activist *Charles James O'Donnell, politician *Peadar O'Donnell, Irish Republican *Alexander Porter, U.S. Senator in the United States Senate. *Bríd Rodgers, former Member of the Legislative Assembly (Northern Ireland), MLA who formerly served as Social Democratic and Labour Party, SDLP Deputy Leader and was formerly Northern Irish Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development. Born and raised in Gweedore. *Patrick Stone, Member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly

Other

*Alexander Armstrong (explorer), Sir Alexander Armstrong, explorer, was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and at the University of Edinburgh. He entered the Medical Department of the Royal Navy in 1842 and became its Director-General in 1869. *William C. Campbell (scientist), William C. Campbell, winner of 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, born in

*Mad Dog Coll, Vincent "Mad Dog" Coll, mafia enforcer in the United States of America *

, one of three patron saints of Ireland *James Flanagan (police officer), Sir Jamie Flanagan, Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), 1973–1976. Sir Jamie was born in Derry but was raised near Killygordon in East Donegal. *Professor John Kells Ingram, economist, Irish patriot and poet who was based at Trinity College, Dublin *Major-General (British Army), Major-General James Murray Irwin, Sir James Murray Irwin, senior-ranking doctor in the British Army. From

*Robert Johnston (VC), Robert Johnston, recipient of the Victoria Cross; rugby union international *Andrew Lewis (soldier), Andrew Lewis, soldier *Hugh McLaughlin (publisher), Hugh McLaughlin, inventor *Robert Montgomery (colonial administrator), Sir Robert Montgomery, colonial administrator in British India. Grandfather of Field Marshal (United Kingdom), Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, The 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, British military commander during the Second World War. Sir Robert was from Moville in Inishowen. *Henry Musgrave, Deputy Lieutenant, DL, was an East Ulster businessman and philanthropist. Involved with many business concerns including the Donegal Railway Company.Art UK, Henry Musgrave by Henrietta Rae
/ref> In 1913, Henry Musgrave paid for a tower to be built on the

parish church at Glencolumbkille, near the family's country estate. He also left bequests to this church and Kilcar Parish Church in his will. On 1 March 1917, Musgrave was made an honorary burgess of the City of Belfast. He was also grand juror and High Sheriff of Donegal for 1909–10 and was made Deputy Lieutenant of both the City of Belfast and of Donegal. *Hugh Roe O'Donnell, nobleman and soldier * Walter Patterson (governor), Walter Patterson, first British colonial governor of Prince Edward Island *Gerry Robinson, Sir Gerry Robinson, businessman and former head of Granada Television *Pauric Sweeney, fashion designer *Frederick Young (East India Company officer), Frederick Young, from Culdaff was the founder of the Sirmoor Battalion later 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles), the first Gurkha regiment to fight for the British.

References

{{Reflist County Donegal-related lists, People Lists of Irish people by county, Donegal People from County Donegal,

Sport

Churchmen

Arts

Music

Literary

Artists

Actors

Film

Politics

Other

See also

References