The Rosses

Last updated

Na Rosa
The Rosses
Arranmore, Co. Donegal (Aerial 2007).jpg
Aerial view of the north west of the Rosses
Rosses Zoom Map.svg
Coordinates: 54.96792, -8.34724
CountryIreland
Province Ulster
County County Donegal
Barony Boylagh
Principal settlement Dungloe
Government
 •  Local authority Donegal CC
 •  Local electoral area Glenties
 •  Dáil constituency Donegal
 •  EP constituency Midlands–North-West
Area
 • Total314 km2 (121 sq mi)
Time zone UTC±0 (WET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+1 (IST)
Eircode routing keys
F94 (primarily)
Telephone area codes 074

The Rosses (officially known by its Irish language name, Na Rosa; [1] in the genitive case Na Rosann) is a traditional 'district' in the west of County Donegal in Ulster, the northern province in Ireland. The Rosses has a population of over 7,000 centred on the town of Dungloe, which acts as the educational, shopping and civic centre for the area. Defined by physical boundaries in the form of rivers, as well as history and language use, the area has a distinctive identity, separate from the rest of County Donegal. The extensive district lies between the parish and district of Gweedore to the north and the town of Glenties to the south. A large part of the Rosses is in the Gaeltacht , which means that Irish is the spoken language. The Rosses, Cloughaneely and Gweedore, known locally as "the three parishes", with 16,000 Irish speakers, together form a social and cultural region different from the rest of the county, with Gweedore serving as the main centre for socialising and industry. [2] [3] Gaeltacht an Láir is another Irish-speaking area.

Contents

Irish language

The following is a list of electoral divisions in the area with the percentage that speak Irish:

  1. An Clochán Liath (1,785) (15%)
  2. Anagaire (2,138) (55%)
  3. Arainn Mhor (529) (62%)
  4. Inis Mhic an Doirn (1,410) (9%)
  5. An Duchoraidh (78) (34%)
  6. Leitir Mhic an Bhaird (650) (19%)
  7. An Machaire (615) (15%)
  8. Cro Bheithe (170) (60%)

Culture

Mullaghderg Beach, the Rosses Muladhdearg oct 08.jpg
Mullaghderg Beach, the Rosses

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.

An aerial view of Carrickfin and Ranafast, with Errigal in the background Preparing to land at Donegal Carrickfin Airport - geograph.org.uk - 1159707.jpg
An aerial view of Carrickfin and Ranafast, with Errigal in the background

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.

Mullaghderg beach Mullach Dearg.jpg
Mullaghderg beach
Donegal International Airport Donegal Carrickfin Airport - Terminal entrance - geograph.org.uk - 1174804.jpg
Donegal International Airport

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.

Sand dunes near Leitir Mouth of the Gweebarra Estuary - geograph.org.uk - 126269.jpg
Sand dunes near Leitir

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.

The Cope is a co-operative indigenous to the area, with two major stores in Dungloe (one of which pictured) and several others around other parts of the Rosses. Thecopedungloe.JPG
The Cope is a co-operative indigenous to the area, with two major stores in Dungloe (one of which pictured) and several others around other parts of the Rosses.

Tourism

The area claims a large proportion of Donegal's tourist income, due to its renowned scenery [4] 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. [5] [6]

Notable people

Townlands

Islands

See also

County Galway

County Donegal

County Kerry

County Mayo

County Londonderry

County Antrim

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">County Donegal</span> County in Ireland

County Donegal 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 Tyrconnell or Tirconaill, after the historic territory. Donegal County Council is the local council and Lifford is the county town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dungloe</span> Gaeltacht town in County Donegal, Ireland

An Clochán Liath, known in English as Dungloe, is a town on the west coast of County Donegal in Ulster, the northern province in Ireland. It is the main town in The Rosses and the largest in the Donegal Gaeltacht. Dungloe developed as a town in the middle of the 18th century, and now serves as the administrative and retail centre for the west of County Donegal, and in particular The Rosses, with the only mainland secondary school for the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gweedore</span> Gaeltacht area in County Donegal, Ireland

Gweedore is a Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) district and parish located on the Atlantic coast of County Donegal in the north-west of Ireland. Gweedore stretches some 26 kilometres (16 mi) from Glasserchoo and Bloody Foreland in the north to Crolly in the south and around 14 kilometres (9 mi) from Dunlewey in the east to Magheraclogher and Magheralosk in the west, and is sometimes described as 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, as well as an external campus of the University of Galway. Gweedore includes the settlements of Brinlack, Bunbeg, Derrybeg, Crolly and Dunlewey, and sits in the shade of County Donegal's highest peak, Errigal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ulster Irish</span> Irish language dialect

Ulster Irish is the variety of Irish spoken in the province of Ulster. It "occupies a central position in the Gaelic world made up of Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man". Ulster Irish thus has much in common with Scottish Gaelic and Manx. Within Ulster there have historically been two main sub-dialects: West Ulster and East Ulster. The Western dialect is spoken in parts of County Donegal and once was spoken in parts of neighbouring counties, hence the name 'Donegal Irish'. The Eastern dialect was spoken in most of the rest of Ulster and northern parts of counties Louth and Meath.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Annagry</span> Village in County Donegal, Ireland

Anagaire is a village in The Rosses district of County Donegal, Ireland. As of 2016, the population was 236.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gortahork</span> Village in Ulster, Ireland

Gort an Choirce or Gort a' Choirce, anglicised as Gortahork, is a village and townland in the northwest of County Donegal, Ireland. It is a Gaeltacht community, where the Irish language is the main language spoken in the area. Along with Falcarragh, it forms part of the district known as Cloughaneely.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Falcarragh</span> Town in County Donegal, Ireland

An Fál Carrach, sometimes called Na Crois Bhealaí, is a small Gaeltacht town and townland in the north-west of County Donegal in Ulster, the northern province in Ireland. The settlement is in the district and old parish of Cloughaneely.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kincasslagh</span> Gaeltacht village in County Donegal, Ireland

Cionn Caslach is a small Gaeltacht seaside village in the Rosses area of County Donegal, Ireland. Despite only having a population of just over 40 people, the village has attracted much international attention due to the success of local singer Daniel O'Donnell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ranafast</span> Gaeltacht village in County Donegal, Ireland

Ranafast or Rinnafarset, officially only known by its Irish name Rann na Feirste, is a Gaeltacht village and townland in the Rosses district in the west of County Donegal in Ulster, the northern province in Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loch an Iúir</span> Gaeltacht village in County Donegal, Ireland

Loch an Iúir, anglicised as Loughanure, is a village and townland in The Rosses, a district in the west of County Donegal in Ulster, the northern province in Ireland. The village is in the Gaeltacht, being halfway between Gweedore and Dungloe, with the N56 road passing through the village. According to the 2016 census, 37% of the population spoke Irish on a daily basis outside the education system. The village of Loughanure lies within the Barony of Boylagh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cloughaneely</span> Irish-speaking district, County Donegal, Ireland

Cloughaneely is a district in the north-west of County Donegal in 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 language is spoken as the primary language. Cloughaneely includes the secondary school Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola, with just under 500 students. Places of interest include Cnoc na Naomh, considered to be a mountain with religious significance. Cloughaneely, The Rosses and Gweedore, known locally as "the three parishes" with 16,000 Irish speakers, together form a social and cultural region different from the rest of the county, with Gweedore serving as the main centre for industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dungloe GAA</span> Donegal-based Gaelic games club

CLG An Clochán Liath is a Gaelic football-only GAA club based in An Clochán Liath, a Gaeltacht town in County Donegal, Ireland. The club fields both men's and ladies' teams at underage and, as far as, senior level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lettermacaward</span> Gaeltacht village in County Donegal, Ireland

Leitir Mhic an Bhaird or Leitir Mhic a' Bhaird is a Gaeltacht village in the Rosses region of County Donegal, Ireland. The village, known colloquially as Leitir, is between the larger towns of Glenties and Dungloe. It is also a civil parish in the historic barony of Boylagh.

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 that is hosted by a different club from the Gaeltacht each year. The first competition was held in Gweedore, County Donegal in 1969 and was won by the local club CLG Ghaoth Dobhair. RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta provides radio coverage of both the regional qualifiers and the national finals, held over the June Bank Holiday. TG4 provides live television coverage of the men's semi-finals and finals on the June Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday, and these are also broadcast online.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boylagh</span> Barony in Ulster, Ireland

Boylagh is a historic barony in County Donegal in Ireland. Patrick Weston Joyce said the name Boylagh comes from the territory of the O'Boyles. It was created along with Banagh when the former barony of Boylagh and Banagh was split in 1791 by an Act of the Parliament of Ireland.

Gaeltacht Way, Donegal comprises four circular long-distance trails in the Gaeltacht areas of County Donegal in Ireland. All four trails are designated as a National Waymarked Trails by the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council and managed by Donegal County Council and Údaras na Gaeltachta.

Glór na nGael is one of the Irish-language lead organisation funded by Foras na Gaeilge which promotes and supports Irish in three sectors: the family, community development, and business. It was established as an Irish language community group competition in 1961, and Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich and Monsignor Pádraig Ó Fiannachta were among its founders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keadue, County Donegal</span> Townland in Ulster, Ireland

Keadue is a townland in County Donegal, Ireland. It is in the Rosses region of northwest County Donegal, on the R259 road on the Wild Atlantic Way, about halfway between the fishing villages of Burtonport and Kincasslagh on the Atlantic coast.

Róise Mhic Ghrianna was a traditional Irish-language singer and storyteller.

References

  1. ↑ Placenames (Ceantair Ghaeltachta) Order 2004
  2. ↑ "Cloughaneely". Donegal Democrat. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  3. ↑ "Letterkenny Post » 2007 » May". www.letterkennypost.com. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  4. ↑ "GameAnglers: THE ROSSES FISHERY". www.donegalgameanglers.com. 10 July 2011. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  5. ↑ [ permanent dead link ]
  6. ↑ "West Donegal in bygone times". Burtonport. Archived from the original on 18 March 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2020.

54°59′04″N8°24′33″W / 54.98444°N 8.40917°W / 54.98444; -8.40917

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.