Donaghadee

File:Donaghadee, County Down (13382989325).jpg

File:The derelict Town Hall in Donaghadee (geograph 5334571) (cropped).jpg]]

The name 'Donaghadee' comes from Irish Domhnach Daoi, which has two possible meanings: "church of Daoi", after an unattested saint, or "church of the motte". Originally the site of a Gaelic ringfort, the Anglo-Normans built a motte-and-bailey castle on the site after they conquered the area in the late 12th century.[https://visitdonaghadee.com/donaghadee-history/ Donaghadee History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123213842/https://visitdonaghadee.com/donaghadee-history/ |date=23 November 2021 }}. Visit Donaghadee. Retrieved 21 November 2021.

In the early 17th century, Hugh Montgomery settled Scottish Protestants there as part of the Plantation of Ulster, and it began to grow into a small town. The former Donaghadee Town Hall is a converted merchant's house which was completed in around 1770.{{cite web|url=https://apps.communities-ni.gov.uk/Buildings/buildview.aspx?id=6452&js=false|title=Former Town Hall, 24 High Street, Donaghadee, Co. Down (HB24/07/004)|publisher=Department for Communities|access-date=25 June 2022}}

The town featured in the Irish Rebellion of 1798. On the morning of Pike Sunday, 10 June 1798 a force of United Irishmen, mainly from Bangor, Donaghadee, Greyabbey and Ballywalter attempted to occupy the town of Newtownards. They met with musket fire from the market house and were defeated.{{cite web|url=https://www.visitardsandnorthdown.com/pdf/AND_Newtownards_Walking_Leaflet.pdf|title=Newtownards Walking Leaflet|publisher=Ards and North Down Borough Council|accessdate=21 April 2020|archive-date=15 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015232416/https://www.visitardsandnorthdown.com/pdf/AND_Newtownards_Walking_Leaflet.pdf|url-status=dead}}

Donaghadee was used in the 1759–1826 period by couples going to Portpatrick in Scotland to marry, as there was a daily packet boat. During this period, Portpatrick was known as the "Gretna Green for Ireland".{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8jBLHAAACAAJ|title=The "Gretna Green" for Ireland: Irregular Marriages at Portpatrick, Wigtownshire 1759-1826|year=1997|publisher=Dumfries & Galloway Family History Society}}

The RNLI lifeboat station at Donaghadee harbour, founded in 1910, is one of the most important on the Irish coast. The Sir Samuel Kelly is a noted lifeboat once based in Donaghadee and now on show and preserved at the harbour for her efforts over 50 years ago. On 31 January 1953, the lifeboat rescued many survivors in the Irish Sea from the stricken Larne–Stranraer car ferry, MV Princess Victoria.{{cite web|url=http://www.larneferryweb.com/features/2003/princess_victoria_50/princess_victoria_50th.htm |title=Princess Victoria (IV) Disaster Remembered 50 years on 31st January 1953 – 31st January 2003 |date=20 May 2005 |access-date=2 August 2008 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090423011045/http://www.larneferryweb.com/features/2003/princess_victoria_50/princess_victoria_50th.htm |archive-date=23 April 2009}}

Donaghadee railway station, which was open for passenger traffic from 1861 to 1950, was on the Belfast and County Down Railway.

On Census day (27 March 2011) there were 6,869 people living in Donaghadee (2,997 households), accounting for 0.38% of the NI total. The Census 2011 population represented an increase of 6.1% on the Census 2001 figure of 6,470.{{cite web | url = https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/PivotGrid.aspx?ds=4840&lh=69&yn=2001&sk=135&sn=Census%202001&yearfilter=2001 | title = Census 2001 Usually Resident Population: KS01 (Settlements) – Table view | page = 3 | publisher = Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) | access-date = 6 August 2019 | archive-date = 23 September 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210923152256/https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/Home.aspx | url-status = live }} Of these:

• 18.43% were aged under 16 years and 22.03% were aged 65 and over;
• 51.89% of the usually resident population were female and 48.11% were male;
• 82.84% belong to or were brought up in a 'Protestant and Other Christian (including Christian related)' religion and 6.39% belong to or were brought up in the Catholic faith;
• 76.58% indicated that they had a British national identity, 31.26% had a Northern Irish national identity and 5.71% had an Irish national identity (respondents could indicate more than one national identity);
• 44 years was the average (median) age of the population;
• 11.98% had some knowledge of Ulster-Scots and 2.48% had some knowledge of Irish (Gaelic).

Donaghadee is one of Northern Ireland's lifeboat stations.

Image:deeharbour.jpg

{{Main|Donaghadee Lighthouse}}

Donaghadee is known for its harbour and lighthouse. The initial plans and surveys for the harbour were made by John Rennie Senior. He died within two months of work beginning, and was succeeded by his son, John, later Sir John Rennie: the work was completed in 1825. The lighthouse, which was built in limestone was completed in the late 1830s.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishlights.ie/tourism/our-lighthouses/donaghadee.aspx|title=Donaghadee |publisher=Commissioner of Irish Lights|access-date=24 June 2022}} During the COVID-19 Quarantine, people, usually younger people would place painted stones which would show support to the National Health Service (NHS), major parts of Donaghadee, milestones or just fun drawings. They were removed in late-2020 but in mid-2022 a small bench in the motte was painted with smaller designs of the stones.

Image:Ddeemotte.jpg

The Motte or Moat in Donaghadee was originally a motte-and-bailey castle built by the Anglo-Normans in the late 12th century. The folly or castle on top of the motte was built by Daniel Delacherois in the early 19th century. It was used for storing the gunpowder, used for blasting, when the new harbour was being built between 1821 and 1834. Today it is part of a park, giving views across the town and seawards towards the Copeland Islands.

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Scenic walks include the marine walk at The Commons, which comprises a {{convert|16|acre|ha|adj=on}} semi-cultivated open space with bowls, tennis, several exercise equipment, putting and an adventure playground.

There are several restaurants and pubs in the town, including Grace Neill's, opened in 1611 as the "King's Arms", and which claims to be the oldest bar in Ireland (a claim also made by other pubs, including by Sean's Bar in Athlone).{{cite web | url = https://www.irishpost.com/news/grace-neills-welcome-irelands-haunted-bar-home-evil-spirit-dont-mean-whiskey-171325 | publisher = Irish Post | title = Grace Neill's: Welcome to Ireland's most haunted bar, home to an "evil" spirit-- and we don't mean whiskey | date = 13 September 2019 | accessdate = 26 August 2021 | quote = Grace Neill’s bar in County Down, built in 1611, claims to be the oldest bar in Ireland. That claim is disputed [..by,.] Sean's Bar in Athlone | archive-date = 26 August 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210826015015/https://www.irishpost.com/news/grace-neills-welcome-irelands-haunted-bar-home-evil-spirit-dont-mean-whiskey-171325 | url-status = live }}

The Copeland Bird Observatory is situated on Lighthouse Island, one of the three islands not far, and to be seen, from Donaghadee. It collects data on the migrating birds and by ringing them records the movements of the migratory species.{{cite web | title = Copeland Bird Observatory | url = http://www.thecbo.org.uk/ | access-date = 31 May 2021 | archive-date = 16 May 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210516223806/https://www.thecbo.org.uk/ | url-status = live }} The islands are an internationally important site for breeding Manx Shearwater and Arctic Tern.{{Cite web|last=Copeland Islands|title=Copeland Island Bird Observatory|url=https://www.thecbo.org.uk/introduction/|url-status=live|website=Copeland Bird Observatory|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328050432/http://www.thecbo.org.uk:80/introduction |archive-date=28 March 2015 }}

Among the algae recorded from Donaghadee are Gastroclonium ovatum, Callophyllis laciniata, Fucus ceranoides, Desmarestia ligulata, Hordaria flagelliformis, Codium fragile ssp. atlanticum and Cladophora pygmaea.Morton, O. 1994. Marine Algae of Northern Ireland. Ulster Museum {{ISBN|0-900761-28-8}}

Flowering plants have been recorded from Donaghadee and are listed with details by Hackney (1992).Hackney, P. (Ed) 1992 Stewart & Corry's Flora of the North-east of Ireland Institute of Irish Studies and The Queen's University of Belfast {{isbn|978-0853894469}}

Donaghadee Male Choir was founded in 1932. It began as a small local chorus performing in churches and other local functions. The choir has performed internationally and has a membership of over 70 people.{{cite news|url=https://www.impartialreporter.com/leisure/going_out/13870302.donaghadee-male-choir-back-at-ardhowen-after-10-year-gap/|title=Donaghadee Male Choir back at Ardhowen after 10 year gap|date=7 May 2015|newspaper=Impartial Reporter|access-date=24 June 2022}}

Donaghadee was the basis for the fictional town of Donaghadoo in the children's television series Lifeboat Luke, which was animated by the Donaghadee animation studio Straandlooper.{{cite web|url=http://www.straandlooper.com.html|title=STRAANDLOOPER|access-date=2 May 2013}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The town was also used as a set for some of the film Mickybo and Me.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4371169.stm|title=Film focuses on hope in troubled times|date=22 March 2005|publisher=BBC News|access-date=24 June 2022}}

Donaghadee is seen in the films Robot Overlords starring Gillian Anderson,{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/giant-killer-robot-overlords-loose-on-the-streets-of-bangor-30965246.html|title=Giant killer Robot Overlords loose on the streets of Bangor|newspaper=Belfast Telegraph|date=4 February 2015| access-date=24 June 2022}} Divorcing Jack,{{cite web|url=http://www.troublesarchive.com/artforms/film-and-television/piece/divorcing-jack|title=Divorcing Jack|publisher=Troubles Archive| access-date=24 June 2022}} Killing Bono{{cite web|url=https://www.northernirelandscreen.co.uk/production-catalogue/feature-films/killing-bono/|title=Killing Bono|date=10 January 2017 | publisher=Northern Ireland Screen|access-date=24 June 2022}} and Mo the Mo Mowlam story, starring Julie Walters.{{cite web|url=https://www.northernirelandscreen.co.uk/production-catalogue/television-drama/mo/|title=Mo|date=12 January 2017 |publisher=Northern Ireland Screen|access-date=24 June 2022}}

Donaghadee features as the fictional town of Port Devine in the BBC drama Hope Street which first aired in 2021.{{Cite web|last=Nisbet|first=Megan|date=2022-02-01|title=Where is Hope Street filmed? Locations for new BBC daytime drama|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/hope-street-filmed-locations-new-22943268|access-date=2022-02-05|website=WalesOnline|language=en|archive-date=5 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205030131/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/hope-street-filmed-locations-new-22943268|url-status=live}}

Donaghadee is mentioned several times in the song Forty Shades of Green, written by Johnny Cash in 1959.{{cite web|url=https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/johnny-cash/forty-shades-of-green-chords-834030|title=Forty Shades of Green Chords |first=Johnny|last= Cash|publisher=Ultimate Guitar}}

Donaghadee Rugby Football Club, which was formed by the Rev. Coote, played its first match against Bangor on 7 November 1885.{{cite web|url=https://www.donaghadee-rugby.co.uk/a/club-history-34509.html|title=Club History|publisher= Donaghadee Rugby Football Club|access-date=25 June 2022}}

Donaghadee Football Club are junior football who play their home matches at Crommelin Park in the town. For the 2014–15 season they were members of Division 2C of the Northern Amateur Football League.[http://www.thenafl.co.uk/act/teams/id/179 Donaghadee F.C.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209044046/http://www.thenafl.co.uk/act/teams/id/179 |date=9 February 2015 }} at the NAFL site An earlier club of the same name held membership of the same league from 1948 to 1953. Donaghadee FC and Donaghadee 11s were both promoted from their respective leagues in 2016/17.{{Cite web |url=http://www.thenafl.co.uk/static_page/id/history |title=NAFL history (Roll of Clubs from 1923) |access-date=9 February 2015 |archive-date=28 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128155517/http://www.thenafl.co.uk/static_page/id/history |url-status=live }}

Donaghadee Ladies' Hockey Club have two teams which play in Ulster Hockey leagues: The 1XI play in Senior League 3, while the 2XI are in Junior 8.{{cite web |url=http://donaghadeelhc.co.uk |title=Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club |website=donaghadeelhc.co.uk |access-date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209175444/https://donaghadeelhc.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}

Donaghadee Sailing Club (which underwent redevelopment and in May 2009 with a new clubhouse opened).[http://www.DonaghadeeSC.co.uk Donaghadee Sailing Club Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090820165611/http://www.donaghadeesc.co.uk/ |date=20 August 2009 }}; accessed 26 May 2014.

{{Category see also|People from Donaghadee}}

• Sarah Grand, author and feminist{{cite web|url=https://ulsterhistorycircle.org.uk/sarah-grand/|title=Sarah Grand|date=12 April 2015 |publisher=Ulster History Circle|access-date=25 June 2022}}
• Bear Grylls, adventurer, writer and television presenter was raised in Donaghadee until he was 4 – his grandmother was Patricia, Lady Fisher.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/my-life-in-travel-bear-grylls-756390.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423170926/http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/my-life-in-travel-bear-grylls-756390.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 April 2008|title=MY LIFE IN TRAVEL: Bear Grylls|work=The Independent|access-date=3 June 2009|location=London, UK|first=Charlotte|last=Martin|date=17 April 2004}}
• Sylvia, Lady Hermon, former MP for North Down{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/a-force-for-change-this-lady-by-name-and-nature-1.338884|title=A force for change this lady, by name and nature|date=24 November 2001|newspaper=The Irish Times| access-date=25 June 2022}}
• John MaGowan, former PDC Darts professional{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/imported/a-sporting-life-taylor-made-28250220.html|title=A Sporting Life: Taylor made|date=5 July 2008| newspaper=Belfast Telegraph|access-date=25 June 2022}}
• Mason Munn, Rangers FC goalkeeper{{Cite news |first=Graham |last=Luney |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/scottish/joining-rangers-from-glentoran-is-a-boyhood-dream-come-true-says-teenager-mason-munn/41808164.html |title=Joining Rangers from Glentoran is a boyhood dream come true, says teenager Mason Munn |date=2 July 2022 |work=Belfast Telegraph |access-date=20 January 2025}}
• Sir Walter Smiles and his daughter Patricia, Lady Fisher (both Ulster Unionist Party Westminster MPs) lived in the town.{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/lifeboat-which-saved-33-during-victoria-tragedy-to-be-restored-36385567.html|title=Lifeboat which saved 33 during Victoria tragedy to be restored|newspaper=Belfast Telegraph|date=7 December 2017|access-date=25 June 2022}}

• Belfast and County Down Railway
• List of civil parishes of County Down
• List of lighthouses in Ireland
• List of localities in Northern Ireland by population
• List of RNLI stations
• List of towns and villages in Northern Ireland
• Market houses in Northern Ireland

• Allen, Harry. 2006.Donaghadee An Illustrated History. {{ISBN|1870132319}}
• Hill, I. 1986. Northern Ireland. The Blackstaff Press. {{ISBN|0-85640-365-2}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Donaghadee}}

• [http://www.visitdonaghadee.com Visit Donaghadee]
• [https://archive.org/details/legendaryfiction00kenn/page/286 "How Donaghadee Got Its Name"]

{{County Down}}

{{Northern Ireland towns}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Donaghadee

Category:Towns in County Down

Category:Civil parish of Donaghadee