Donegal The Name Donegal originates from the Irish Dun na nGall which translates into 'The Fort of Foreigners'
Province:Ulster
Total Population: 129,944 (1996)
Growth Rate: 1.5% since 1991
County Capital: Lifford
Largest Town: Letterkenny
Main Towns: Carndonagh, Buncrana, Moville, Letterkenny,
Ballybofey, Ballyshannon, Bundoran, Lifford, Dungloe, Donegal Town.
Highest Point: Mount Errigal (752 m)
Main Rivers: Swilly, Finn
Location:Maritime location on the North West Sea Board of the Country.
County Size:1,876 sq. Miles (4th Largest County In Ireland)
Main Lakes: Lough Eske, Lough Derg, Lough Foyle, Lough Swilly.
Main Bays: White Strand, Trawbreaga, Mulroy, Gweedore, Inishfree,
Rosses, Gweebarra, Loughros More, McSwyne's, Inver, Donegal.
Main Islands: Rathlin O'Birne, Inishfree Upper, Aran, Owey, Gola, Inishbofin,
Inishdooey, Inishbeg, Tory, Aughnish, Cruit, Island Roy.

The oldest rock in Ireland (1,700 million years) is found in Donegal on the island of Inishtrahull. It is believed that the ice from the South Pole would have covered Donegal (Ireland would have been positioned where South Africa is today). Donegal's coastline includes the highest sea cliffs in Europe at Slieve League. Donegal also holds more than a quarter of of the entire sandy coast of all of the Irish counties. The coastal system is home to many unique natural habitats and ecological systems. Ireland's most northerly point, Malin Head is located in Donegal.

Prehistory: Donegal has numerous historical sites including dolmens, soutteraines and 40 Bronze Age cairns. The most famous of these sites is the Griannan of Aileach, an ancient fortress and sun temple.
Early Christian: Donegal's early christian history centres around St. Column Cille who gave his name to Glencolumcille and founded Derry.
Medieval: Donegal played an active role in the history of Ulster up until 1921. The O'Donnells and the O'Dohertys ruled the area during medieval times with the inaccesability of donegal's highlands helping to preserve its Gaelic culture and language. It was the last county to be taken over by the English with Cahir O'Doherty was the last chieftan in Ireland to be defeated in 1608 most of Donegal's chieftans fled to europe in 1607).
Areas of Historical Interest: The High Cross at Carndonagh believed to be the oldest in Ireland. O'Doherty Castle built in Buncrana in 1718. Flight of the Earls Centre in Rathmullan. Griannan Of Aileach dating back to the 5th century. Dunree Fort built to counter the threat of a French invasion in the 1790's.