Rosses
Irish language
The following is a list of electoral divisions in the area with the percentage that speak Irish:
- An Clochán Liath (1,785) (15%)
- Anagaire (2,138) (55%)
- Arainn Mhor (529) (62%)
- Inis Mhic an Doirn (1,410) (9%)
- An Duchoraidh (78) (34%)
- Leitir Mhic an Bhaird (650) (19%)
- An Machaire (615) (15%)
- Cro Bheithe (170) (60%)
Culture
Once a predominantly Irish-speaking area, over recent generations English has become increasingly common. Irish is still used extensively in some areas including parts of the island of Arranmore, the townland of Ranafast and the village of Annagry. In some areas, like the hills around Dungloe, around Loughanure and in pockets of Doochary and Lettermacaward, the Irish language is predominant.
The area fields a number of sports teams, both in soccer and Gaelic football. Keadue Rovers from the lower Rosses have traditionally been the area's strongest soccer team, and there are also teams in Arranmore (Arranmore United F.C.) and in Maghery (Strand Rovers F.C.). An Clochán Liath have traditionally been the strongest in Gaelic football, winning seven County Championships between 1930 and 1958. There are also teams in Mullaghderg (Naomh Muire), and in Lettermacaward (Na Rossa).
There is a strong tradition of songwriting in the area, Seán McBride (1906–1996) from Cruit Island wrote the popular song "The Homes of Donegal".
There are connections between the people of the Rosses and Scotland, Glasgow in particular, due to the economic need for emigration in the past and the strong ties forged over the generations as a result. Many people from the Rosses, in common with people from other parts of County Donegal, have also settled in the City of Derry, especially since the late 1840s.
Geography
The area is bounded by the River Gweebarra to the south, the Gweedore River (known locally as the Crolly River) to the north, the Derryveagh Mountains and the Gweebarra River (Doochary Bridge) to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The name comes from "Ros", the Irish word for headland. The area presents a rocky barren landscape, studded with a myriad of lakes and inlets of the sea. Lakes include Lough Anure, Lough Craghy, Dunglow Lough and Lough Meela.
Transport
The Rosses boasts Donegal's only airport at Carrickfinn. Various coach companies serve the area.
History
The Rosses has been inhabited since time immemorial, and the ancient church of St Crona in Termon near Dungloe has been dated to the 6th century AD. It was the site of a monastery founded by St. Crona, a cousin of the Royal Saint called Columcille, founder of the monastic settlement at Iona, and was the centre of the parish of Templecrone.
In the 16th century, a number of ships from the Spanish Armada sank off or landed off its coast.
Economy
Historically the Rosses has relied heavily on hospitality, tourism and the fishing industry as the mainstays of its economy. The area has its own indigenous supermarket chain called The Cope which has been quite successful. There is very little manufacturing industry in the Rosses apart from a few companies located in Dungloe.
Tourism
The area claims a large proportion of Donegal's tourist income, due to its renowned scenery and its many festivals, including the Mary From Dungloe International Festival. There is a very strong tradition of marching bands emanating from the region; the area boasts many All-Ireland championship bands in all grades and disciplines.
Notable people
- Declan Bonner, member of 1992 All-Ireland winning Donegal team
- Packie Bonner, former Ireland and Celtic goalkeeper
- Tony Boyle, 1992 All Star and member of 1992 All-Ireland winning Donegal team
- Joseph Duffy, UFC mixed martial artist
- Pat "the Cope" Gallagher, former TD and former MEP
- Adrian Hanlon, member of 2012 All-Ireland winning Donegal panel
- Seosamh Mac Grianna, author
- Carl McHugh, footballer for Motherwell
- Niall Ó Dónaill, lexicographer
- Daniel O'Donnell, singer
- Margo, singer
- Peadar O'Donnell, socialist and author
- Séamus Ó Grianna, author
- Adrian Sweeney, 2003 All Star footballer
- Joseph Sweeney, 1916 rising veteran, Irish Revolutionary, Military Commander, former TD
Bands
- Goats Don't Shave, folk band
- Skara Brae, folk band
Townlands
- Acres
- Annagry (Anagaire)
- Arlands
- Belcruit
- Braade (An Bhráid)
- Burtonport (Ailt an Chorráin)
- Carrickfinn (Carraig Fhinne or Carraig Fhinn)
- Cloughlass
- Crickamore
- Crolly (Croithlí)(half of which is situated in Gweedore)
- Derrynamansher (Doire na Mainséar)
- Doochary (An Dúchoraidh)
- Drumnacart Mountain Pasture
- Dungloe (An Clochán Liath)
- Keadue (Céideadh)
- Kerrytown
- Kincasslagh (Cionn Caslach)
- Lackenagh
- Lettermacaward/Leitir (Leitir Mhic an Bhaird)
- Loughanure (Loch an Iúir)
- Maghery (An Mhachaire)
- Meenagowan (Min A Ghabhann)
- Meenaleck
- Meenbanad
- Mullaghduff (Mullach Dubh)
- Ranafast (Rann na Feirste)
- Roshine
- Tullyillion
Islands
- Arranmore (Árainn Mhór)
- Cruit (An Chruit)
- Eighter (An tÍochtar)
- Inishal (Inis Saille)
- Inishcoo (Inis Cú)
- Inishfree (Inis Fraoigh)
- Inishkeeragh (Inis Caorach)
- Owey (Oileán Uaighe)
- Rutland (Inis Mhic an Doirn)
See also
County Donegal
County Galway
County Kerry
County Mayo
County Londonderry
County Antrim
References
- ^ Placenames (Ceantair Ghaeltachta) Order 2004
- ^ "Cloughaneely". Donegal Democrat. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
- ^ "Letterkenny Post » 2007 » May". www.letterkennypost.com. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
- ^ "GameAnglers: THE ROSSES FISHERY". www.donegalgameanglers.com. 10 July 2011. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
- ^ [1]
- ^ "West Donegal in bygone times". Burtonport. Archived from the original on 18 March 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
