Local man, Sam Fletcher, grew up on a farm near Letterkenny, County Donegal. He attended Glenmaquin National School where he developed an interest in writing poetry. Sam talks about his life on the farm, forges, school, and his love for poetry. He recites some of his own poems including the humourous ‘The Midges of Glenveagh’

Although still awaiting restoration, Raphoe Castle is probably the most impressive castle in Donegal. In 1633, John Leslie was translated from the Scottish See of the Isles to become the Bishop of Raphoe. Marrying at the age of 67, absorbing the Bishopric of Clogher at the age of 90, Leslie dominated the area until his death, aged 100, in 1671.

THE REDSHANKS IN DONEGAL   Redshank Scottish mercenaries in Donegal From the middle of the 16th century, a new type of Highland warrior began to appear in Ireland. These mercenaries have been called 'New Scots’ to distinguish them from the earlier galloglaigh. In the...

EARLY CONNECTIONS BETWEEN DONEGAL AND SCOTLAND The connections between Donegal and Scotland date back millennia. Dozens of archaeological sites across the modern county confirm the presence of prehistoric hunter/foragers following in the wake of the retreat of the...

Back in the sixteenth century, Mongavlin Castle was the riverside residence of the notorious ‘blacked haired queen of Donegal’, Finola MacDonnell. This formidable lady was the daughter of James MacDonald of Dunnyveg, the wife of Sir Hugh O’Donnell, and the mother of the fighting prince of Donegal, Red Hugh O’Donnell.

Donegal Castle stands in the centre of Donegal Town in the northwest of Ireland. For most of the last two centuries, the majority of the buildings lay in ruins, but the castle was almost entirely restored in the late 1990s.

Ulster’s International Appalachian Trail

It’s 2,200 miles long; it is roughly 300 million years old, and it’s the only trail in the world to span an ocean. It’s safe to say that the Appalachian Trail isn’t your average walking route.

The remarkable history of O'Doherty's Keep O' Doherty's Keep Built by the Normans, developed by the O'Doherty's Sitting on the banks of the River Crana near Lough Swilly stands the remains of a former 14th century Norman castle, O'Doherty's Keep. In 1601 it was a...

The Bridge of Sorrows A Story of Famine, Poverty, and Tears   It is a sad and painful episode of Donegal history that many were forced to leave home, family and friends in the hope of a better life abroad. A little bridge, in a rural setting of West Donegal,...

Why did a rail link with Strabane destroy Raphoe’s once thriving economy?   The nineteenth century East Donegal community petitioned for a rail link between Raphoe and Strabane. Ironically, when they got it in 1909, it destroyed the local economy. It was...

The Poisoned Glen lies at the foot of Mount Errigal, the tallest peak of the Derryveagh Mountains range, in Dunlewey (Dún Lúiche) in the Donegal Gaeltacht. The Poisoned Glen is one of the most renowned areas in Co. Donegal for its sweeping valleys, imposing mountains and shimmering lakes. It is very true to say the magnificent beauty of this area is such a capturing sight that it remains as a sanctuary in your mind forever of a very special place. Keep an eye out for the ghost of the Green Lady on the Guinness Estate across the tranquil Dunlewey Lough!!

THE OWENCARROW VIADUCT DISASTER The Tragic Night of 30 January 1925 Disaster occurred on the night of 30 January 1925 at around 8pm at the Owencarrow Viaduct, Donegal. Winds of up to 120mph derailed carriages of the train off the viaduct causing it to partially...