donegal

Donegal, or County Donegal, is a county in the Republic of Ireland, in the province of Ulster. It is the northernmost county on the island and has an exposed Atlantic coastline. The area covers about 4,464 square kilometers and is home to roughly 159,000 people. The largest town is Letterkenny.

Geographically diverse, Donegal includes the Inishowen Peninsula in the north, the Bluestack Mountains inland, and rugged coastlines along the Atlantic. Glenveagh National Park lies in the county’s interior, and the Wild Atlantic Way runs along much of the coast. The county contains several Gaeltacht areas—Irish-speaking communities that help preserve the language and traditional culture.

Donegal has a long Gaelic heritage and was the heartland of the O'Donnell dynasty, rulers of Tír Chonaill. Medieval sites include Grianán of Aileach and the 15th‑century Donegal Castle in Donegal Town. The area experienced waves of emigration and famine in the 19th century and has seen successive local government reforms since independence.

Traditional sectors include agriculture and fishing, with tourism growing as a major part of the economy. Visitors come for hiking, beaches, and historic sites, with Glenveagh National Park among the most visited areas.

Donegal Town is a market town on the eastern shore of Donegal Bay, known for Donegal Castle and as a gateway to the region’s landscapes.