Gweedore

File:Gweedore Natives, Gweedore, Co. Donegal (23611131279).jpg

File:Gweefish.jpg in the background]]

Gweedore is the anglicisation of the original and official Irish name Gaoth Dobhair. Gaoth refers to an inlet of the sea at the mouth of the Crolly River, known as An Ghaoth. It is the boundary between Gweedore to the north and The Rosses to the south. Dobhar is an old Irish word for water. Therefore, Gaoth Dobhair translates as "the aqueous estuary".{{Cite web |url=http://www.gaothdobhair.com/gaothdobhair.htm |title=Logainmneacha Ghaoth Dobhair |access-date=8 May 2008 |archive-date=21 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121175935/http://www.gaothdobhair.com/gaothdobhair.htm |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Mac Gairbheith |first=Pádraig |title=Logainmneacha Dhobhair agus Stair Áitiúil |url=https://meitheal.logainm.ie/pdf/meitheal.logainm.ie-logainmneacha-dhobhair-agus-stair-aitiuil.pdf |access-date=19 May 2025 |website=meitheal.logainm.ie |publisher=Placenames Database of Ireland |page=3, 7, 9, 13, 23}}

The name Gweedore or Gaoth Dobhair refers to the traditional district, and Catholic parish, of the same name, not to any specific village - the settlements of Brinlack, Bunbeg, Derrybeg, Dunlewey and Crolly, and other populated area such as Meenaleck, Dore and Magheraclogher, are collectively known as Gweedore.{{Cite web |title=History of Gweedore |url=https://wildatlanticgweedore.ie/history-of-gweedore |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Wild Atlantic Gweedore |language=en}}

Gweedore has a population of 4,500 and is divided into three electoral divisions (EDs):

• Machaire Chlochair with a population of 2,651 and an estimated 77% native Irish speakers.
• Cnoc Fola/Mín an Chladaigh with a population of 1,326 and 83% Irish speakers.
• Dún Lúiche with a population of 695 and 76% Irish speakers.

The predominant spoken language of the district is Irish, but English can be widely heard as well. All schools and religious services are conducted in Irish, and roadside advertisements are also in Irish.{{Cite web |title=Gaoth Dobhair |url=http://www.crannog.ie/gaothbear.htm |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022064325/http://crannog.ie/gaothbear.htm |archive-date=22 October 2007 |access-date=1 November 2021 |website=An Crannóg}} Thousands of second-level and some third-level students from all over Ireland attend summer schools at Coláiste Bun an Inbhir,{{Cite news |last=Donaghy |first=Kathy |date=29 June 2019 |title='In school, it's like you are forced to speak Irish - but here it just comes naturally' |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/in-school-its-like-you-are-forced-to-speak-irish-but-here-it-just-comes-naturally/38264266.html |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=Irish Independent}} Coláiste Chú Chulainn,{{Cite news |date=31 January 2014 |title=Cassidy brings student teachers back to Gaoth Dobhair |url=https://donegalnews.com/cassidy-brings-student-teachers-back-to-gaoth-dobhair/ |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=Donegal News}} and Coláiste an Phiarsaigh{{Cite news |last=Guidera |first=Anita |date=2 March 2007 |title=Row casts doubt over future of college |url=https://www.independent.ie/life/family/learning/row-casts-doubt-over-future-of-college/26268380.html |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=Irish Independent}} in Gaoth Dobhair every summer to further their knowledge and understanding of the Irish language. One of the summer schools, Coláiste Cholmcille (Columba's College){{Cite news |last=Hutton |first=Brian |date=21 July 2011 |title=Foroige investigates Ferry claims |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/foroige-investigates-ferry-claims/27985143.html |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=Irish Independent}} closed in 2011 following a child sexual abuse scandal.{{Cite news |date=26 July 2011 |title=Abuse Scandal: Irish college to close |url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2011/07/26/abuse-scandal-irish-college-to-close/ |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=Donegal Daily}} This is a Gaeltacht, an area where the Irish language is the first language, providing an unbroken link with millennia of Irish history and culture.{{Cite web |title=The Gaeltacht |url=https://udaras.ie/en/our-language-the-gaeltacht/the-gaeltacht/#:~:text=The%20Gaeltacht%20covers%20large%20areas,are%20also%20in%20the%20Gaeltacht. |access-date=19 May 2025 |website=Údarás na Gaeltachta}}

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Since most of the inhabitants of the area are bilingual, it is common to hear English vocabulary used within an Irish sentence and vice versa. A rich subset of unique vocabulary and phrases has arisen from this bilingualism and owing to this, the civil parish has attracted some curious interest from both lexicographers and etymologists in the past. For example, the Irish suffix -ailte or -eáilte is used to form a Gaelicised version of English verbs, as in wreckailte "tired".{{Cite journal|jstor = 2798880|title = Multilingualism in Two Communities|journal = Man|volume = 3|issue = 3|pages = 456–464|last1 = Fox|first1 = Robin|doi = 10.2307/2798880|year = 1968}}

File:Bunbeg - Magheragallon Cemetery - geograph.org.uk - 1177902.jpg

The Plantation of Ulster in 1609 added a twist to the fate of the parish. Irish-speaking families who were driven from their fertile lands in the Lagan Valley and the surrounding areas made their way to the poor boglands of west Donegal. Some of them made it as far as Gweedore and could go no further west. Around the same time, English and Scottish colonists began to arrive when this uncharted territory was converted to baronies. It appears the parish was very sparsely populated up until the 17th century. The first people to arrive lived on the islands or by the shore in clusters, pockets of houses built close together and in each other's shade. Up until the early 19th century the parish was only lightly populated and it seems the people had an amicable relationship with the landowners.{{Cite web|url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~donegal/gweedoreproject.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020613050834/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~donegal/gweedoreproject.htm|url-status=dead|title=Gweedore Donegal|archive-date=13 June 2002|access-date=1 November 2021}}

The standard of life was to deteriorate with the arrival of new landlords in the 19th century, in particular Lord George Hill (1801–1879) and his son Arthur. The people of the parish led by James McFadden ({{langx|ga|Séamus Mac Pháidín}}), the parish priest in 1875–1901, challenged the landlords with the founding of the Land League and the Plan of Campaign. The killing by locals of Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) District Inspector William Limbrick Martin outside the local church (Teach Phobail Mhuire) in Derrybeg on Sunday 3 February 1889, while reportedly rushing Father McFadden with a drawn sword, was the climax of the Land War in Gweedore.{{Cite web|url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~donegal/chapter_one.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020613050834/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~donegal/chapter_one.htm|url-status=dead|title=History of Gweedore, Chapter One|archive-date=13 June 2002|access-date=1 November 2021}} 43 people were arrested after the killing.{{Cite news |last=Ó Gallchobhair |first=Proinnsias |year=1962 |title=A history of Landlordism in Donegal |work=Donegal Democrat |location=Ballyshannon}} The case was recalled in the 1928 memoirs of Tim Healy, who defended Father McFadden and his parishioners.{{Cite book |last=T. M. |first=Healy |author-link=Tim Healy (politician) |title=Letters and Leaders of my Day |publisher=Thornton Butterworth |year=1928 |volume=1 |chapter=Chapter XXII: "Parnellism and Crime" (1887-8) |access-date=6 August 2008 |chapter-url=http://www.chaptersofdublin.com/books/THealy/healy22.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001164825/http://www.chaptersofdublin.com/books/THealy/healy22.htm |archive-date=1 October 2011 |url-status=dead}}

An Irish American journalist, W.H. Hurlbert, also investigated the landlord-tenant dispute in Gweedore in minute detail in his book Ireland under Coercion, published in 1888.{{Cite web |url=http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14510/14510-h/14510-h.htm |title=Hurlbert W vol.1, pp.66–122 online text |access-date=6 August 2008 |archive-date=3 March 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060303122345/http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14510/14510-h/14510-h.htm |url-status=live }}

Many books have been published in Irish, and several in English, detailing Gweedore's rich history. One of the most prolific of local historians was Cáit Nic Giolla Bhríde.{{Cite web |title=1996 |url=http://coisceim.ie/1996.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721123000/http://coisceim.ie/1996.html |archive-date=21 July 2011 |access-date=10 November 2007 |website=Coiscéim}}

On the afternoon of 23 June 2009, a severe thunderstorm struck Gweedore. It was centred on the adjoining villages of Bunbeg and Derrybeg, and lasted for several hours, causing two rivers to burst their banks, flooding houses, shops and factories, ripping up roads and destroying bridges. Lightning which lasted for two hours damaged power lines and caused a major breakdown of mobile phone service, leaving people trapped by the floods unable to contact help. Up to 20 houses{{how many?|date=November 2016}} were cut off from the outside world after three access bridges were carried away by the swollen rivers.{{cite news |date=June 25, 2009 |title=Horror storms flood west Donegal |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/horror-storms-flood-west-donegal-28485041.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512041632/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/horror-storms-flood-west-donegal-28485041.html |archive-date=12 May 2016 |access-date=12 March 2020 |newspaper=Belfast Telegraph}}{{Cite news |date=24 June 2009 |title=Clean up underway after freak flash flood in Gweedore |url=https://www.donegallive.ie/news/local/clean-up-underway-after-freak-flash-flood-in-gweedore-1-1994031 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217171412/http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/local/clean-up-underway-after-freak-flash-flood-in-gweedore-1-1994031 |archive-date=17 February 2013 |access-date=1 November 2021 |work=Donegal Democrat}}

Described as the worst storm "in living memory", it was also the most severe since 1880 when five people drowned in Derrybeg. Owing to the highly localised nature of the storm, the areas of maximum rainfall missed the network of rain gauges but Met Éireann estimated that between 2 pm and 6 pm, up to {{convert|600|mm}} of rain fell at the core.

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In the 1980s and 1990s, Gweedore had a thriving factory industry, where up to 20 large companies were established producing rubber, carpets, body toning equipment and cleaning agents. However, by 2001 most of these companies had closed due to competition from Eastern Europe. Up to 4,000 jobs were lost, and this had a serious economic and social effect on Gweedore and surrounding areas.{{cite news |date=26 January 2007 |orig-date=28 September 2001 |title=Downturn forces Donegal factory cutbacks |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2001/0928/jobs-business.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103011145/http://www.rte.ie/news/2001/0928/jobs-business.html |archive-date=3 November 2012 |access-date=14 October 2010 |work=RTÉ News}} The factory in the townland of Crolly has been manufacturing porcelain dolls since 1939 under the name Crolly Dolls.[http://www.crollydolls.com/English/history.htm?UID=69638259 Crolly Dolls history] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314104101/http://www.crollydolls.com/English/history.htm?UID=69638259 |date=14 March 2008 }} In 2003, the estate was renamed Páirc Ghnó Ghaoth Dobhair (Gweedore Business Park) and the Gaeltacht body, Údarás na Gaeltachta, started a campaign to try to entice businesses to Gweedore in hope of reviving the local economy. A Scottish company opened a call centre on the estate, but this subsequently closed.

Other businesses include a number of supermarkets, convenience stores, beauticians and hairdressers, garages, pharmacists, pubs, cafes and three well-established hotels: Derrybeg Hotel, Teach Jack and An Chúirt (Gweedore) Hotel.

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All five primary schools in the area are Irish-speaking schools; children are taught English from senior infants level (5–6 years old).

• Scoil Chonaill, Bunbeg (An Bun Beag)
• Scoil Mhuire, Derrybeg (Doirí Beaga)
• Scoil Phádraig, Dore (Dobhar)
• Scoil Bhríde, Mín an Chladaigh
• Scoil Adhamhnáin, Lunniagh (Luinneach)

The only community school (post-primary) is Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, established in Lunniagh in 1973.{{Cite news |date=12 March 1990 |others=Reported by Seán Ó Tuairisg |title=Scoil Ar An Imeall? |url=https://www.rte.ie/archives/2020/0226/1117712-pobalscoil-ghaoth-dobhair/ |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=RTÉ News |via=RTÉ Archives}} As with the local primary schools, all students are educated through the medium of Irish and most sit their public examinations in Irish.

In 2004, NUI Galway (now University of Galway) expanded to Gweedore when it opened Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, as part of its obligation to develop third-level education through an Irish medium.{{Cite news |date=24 September 2021 |title=Gaoth Dobhair campus to benefit from €3m higher education funding |url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2021/09/24/gaoth-dobhair-campus-to-benefit-from-e3m-higher-education-funding/ |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=Donegal Daily}}

Gweedore is close to Errigal, the tallest mountain in County Donegal, which overshadows the picturesque Dunlewey Lough. It is surrounded by the deep glens and lakes of the Poisoned Glen, through which the Cronaniv Burn flows,Discovery Series Sheet 1 (Fourth Edition). Ordnance Survey of Ireland (O.S.I.), Dublin, 2012. and further on, Glenveagh national park and castle, the second-largest national park in Ireland.{{Cite web |title=Glenveagh Castle & Glenveagh National Park |url=https://www.tuatha.ie/glenveagh-castle-and-glenveagh-national-park/ |access-date=19 May 2025 |website=Tuatha.ie}} Bád Eddie ("Eddie's Boat"), the Cara na Mara ("Friend of the Sea"), is the wreck of a ship on Magheraclogher Strand that came ashore for minor repairs in 1977 and has been stranded since.{{Cite web |date=11 September 2020 |title=Queen's researchers working to save famous Donegal shipwreck Bád Eddie |url=https://alumni.qub.ac.uk/bad-eddie-county-donegal#:~:text=Built%20in%20Brittany,%20France%20and,been%20stranded%20there%20ever%20since. |access-date=19 May 2025 |website=Queen's University Belfast}}

The Crolly River ({{Irish place name|Abhainn Chroithlí}}), also known as the Gweedore River, and the Clady River ({{Irish place name|An Chláidigh}}) are two of the main rivers flowing through Gweedore.

The Gweedore coastline consists of long sandy beaches and rugged cliffs with small islands, including Gola Island{{Cite news |last=O’Flaherty |first=Enda |date=21 March 2025 |title=Inside an abandoned 1950s schoolhouse on a Donegal island |url=https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/donegal-abandoned-schoolhouse |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=Irish Central}} and Tory Island.{{Cite web |title=Oileán Thoraí / Tory Island – nine miles off the Donegal coast |url=http://www.oileanthorai.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109073736/http://www.oileanthorai.com/ |archive-date=9 November 2007 |access-date=10 November 2007 |website=Oileán Thoraí}}

There are a number of private coach services that operate in the Gweedore area such as Bus Feda,{{Cite web |title=Donegal to Galway Bus Routes |url=https://busfeda.ie/donegal-galway-timetable/#timetable-container |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=19 May 2025 |website=Bus Feda}} Coyle's Coaches,{{Cite web |url=http://homepage.tinet.ie/~martincoyle/index.html |title=Coyle's Coaches |access-date=10 November 2007 |archive-date=25 September 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925031155/http://homepage.tinet.ie/~martincoyle/index.html |url-status=live }} John McGinley,{{Cite web |title=Routes/Times 932 Crolly – Letterkenny – Dublin Route |url=https://johnmcginley.com/932-crolly-letterkenny-dublin-route/ |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=19 May 2025 |website=John McGinley Coach Travel}} Gallaghers Coaches,{{Cite web |title=Donegal - Belfast |url=http://www.gallagherscoaches.com/DonegalBelfast.htm |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=19 May 2025 |website=Gallaghers Coaches}} Mangan Tours,{{Cite web |title=Meenlaragh - Falcarragh - Letterkenny |url=https://www.mangantours.ie/view-our-timetable |access-date=19 May 2025 |website=Mangan Tours}} and Crónán Mac Coaches.{{Cite web |url=http://www.gweedore.net/?page_id=170 |title=Crónán Mac Pháidín coaches |access-date=1 June 2012 |archive-date=14 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514214527/http://www.gweedore.net/?page_id=170 |url-status=dead }} The TFI Local Link route 966 (Dungloe/Falcarragh) also services the area linking it to Crolly, Annagry, Donegal Airport, Kincasslagh, Burtonport and Dungloe.{{Cite web |date=October 2024 |title=Route 966: An Fál Carrach to An Clochán Liath |url=https://locallinkdsl.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/966-October-2024-2.pdf |access-date=19 May 2025 |website=Local Link Donegal-Sligo-Leitrim}} Local Link route 971 (Burtonport/Letterkenny) from Crolly and the former Gweedore railway station also provides an additional link to Letterkenny from the area.{{Cite web |date=April 2025 |title=Route 971: Ailt an Chorráin to Letterkenny |url=https://locallinkdsl.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TFI-LLR971-April25-V1.pdf |access-date=19 May 2025 |website=Local Link Donegal-Sligo-Leitrim}}

Gweedore is also close to Donegal Airport, located at Carrickfinn just west of neighbouring Ranafast in the Rosses.

Gweedore railway station, opened on 9 March 1903, provided rail transport to the area under the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway (L&LSR) until the closed for passenger traffic on 3 June 1940. The route was temporarily re-opened in 1941 during the emergency and finally closed permanently on 6 January 1947.{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Kieran |date=9 October 2018 |title=The Railways |url=https://www.letterkennyhistory.com/the-railways/ |access-date=19 May 2025 |website=Letterkenny Historical Society}}{{Cite web |date=June 2018 |title=Irish Railway Factsheet: Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway |url=https://irrs.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/IRRS_Factsheets_LLSR.pdf |access-date=19 May 2025 |website=Irish Railway Record Society}} The chief railway engineer was Taggart Aston, from Belfast. He was responsible for the design and construction of many of the bridges on the Letterkenny to Burtonport Extension narrow-gauge railway (L&BER), a company jointly owned by the State and the L&LSR.{{cite web | title=Gweedore station | work=Railscot – Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | access-date=15 October 2007 | archive-date=2 March 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302022802/http://www.railbrit.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | url-status=live }}

The Lough Swilly Bus Company's bus routes that eventually replaced the train routes ceased operating in April 2014.{{Cite web |title=Lough Swilly buses |url=http://home.clara.net/sjp/nibus/lswilly.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119144335/http://home.clara.net/sjp/nibus/lswilly.htm |archive-date=19 November 2007 |access-date=10 November 2007}}{{Cite news |date=15 April 2014 |title=Famous Lough Swilly bus company to close ‘within days’ |url=https://donegalnews.com/famous-lough-swilly-bus-company-to-close-within-days/ |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=Donegal News}}

File:Clgghaothdobhair.jpg GAA clubhouse and grounds, with Gweedore and Errigal seen in the background]]

Sports played locally include Gaelic football, golf and soccer.

The local Gaelic games club, CLG Ghaoth Dobhair, is located in Machaire Gathlán and provides facilities for all GAA sports. The Gaoth Dobhair senior team is the most successful club in the Donegal Senior Football Championship and Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta. It won the 2018 Ulster Senior Club Football Championship. Players such as Kevin Cassidy and the McGee brothers—Eamon and Neil—are known nationally for their exploits with the senior Donegal county football team. Newcomers, such as Odhrán Mac Niallais, Kieran Gillespie, Michael Carroll and Cian Mulligan have secured places in the senior county football team in recent years. Hurling was never a popular sport in Gweedore, with the exception of a briefly successful minor team in the late 1990s.{{Cite web |url=http://www.clgghaothdobhair.com/CLG.asp?teanga=bearla |title=Gaoth Dobhair GAA club |access-date=24 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117020047/http://www.clgghaothdobhair.com/CLG.asp?teanga=bearla |archive-date=17 November 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

Gailf Chumann Ghaoth Dobhair, the local golf club, is also situated in Machaire Gathlán. The 14-hole course hugs the picturesque north-west coast and holds several high-profile{{citation needed|date=December 2018}} tournaments throughout the year, most notably, 'The Clannad Classic', sponsored by the world-renowned local folk band.

Soccer clubs active in the area include Gweedore Celtic,{{Cite news |date=21 June 2022 |title=Details announced of Gweedore FC Summer Cup |url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2022/06/21/details-announced-of-gweedore-fc-summer-cup/ |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=Donegal Daily}} Gweedore United,{{Cite news |date=28 December 2024 |title=Local groups and clubs benefit from Crónalaght Windfarm cheque presentations |url=https://donegalnews.com/local-groups-and-clubs-benefit-from-cronalaght-windfarm-cheque-presentations/ |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=Donegal News}} Glenea United{{Cite news |date=13 April 2025 |title=Darren McGeever & Sean Coll react to Glenea’s title win: “I wouldn’t want to do it with any other club” |url=https://highlandradio.com/2025/04/13/darren-mcgeever-sean-coll-react-to-gleneas-title-win-i-wouldnt-want-to-do-it-with-any-other-club/ |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=Highland Radio}} and Dunlewey Celtic.{{Cite news |date=13 April 2018 |title=Dunlewey Celtic chasing history |url=https://donegalnews.com/dunlewey-celtic-chasing-history/ |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=Donegal News}} All teams take part in both county and national competitions. Scottish soccer player Paddy Crerand's mother hailed from Gweedore. Still a regular visitor to the area, Crerand broadcast an episode of his MUTV show The Paddy Crerand Show live from the Ostan Gweedore Hotel in March 2012.{{Cite news |last=Foley |first=Alan |date=23 February 2012 |title=Paddy Crerand MUTV show to go live from Ostan Gweedore on St Patrick’s weekend |url=https://www.donegallive.ie/sport/local-sport/paddy-crerand-mutv-show-to-go-live-from-ostan-gweedore-on-st-patrick-s-weekend-1-3549339 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729110805/http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/local-sport/paddy-crerand-mutv-show-to-go-live-from-ostan-gweedore-on-st-patrick-s-weekend-1-3549339 |archive-date=29 July 2012 |access-date=1 June 2012 |work=Donegal Democrat}} Aiden McGeady's paternal grandparents also hail from Gweedore and he spent many of his summer holidays in the parish.{{cite news |last=Gray |first=Sadie |date=1 May 2005 |title=The Big Interview Aiden McGeady |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article387301.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629141445/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article387301.ece |archive-date=29 June 2011 |access-date=4 May 2010 |work=The Times |location=London}}{{Cite news |date=12 August 2008 |title=Celtic star to open Voodoo Gaoth Dobhair |url=https://www.donegallive.ie/news/local/celtic-star-to-open-voodoo-gaoth-dobhair-1-1985900 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804112658/http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/local/celtic-star-to-open-voodoo-gaoth-dobhair-1-1985900#selection-1079.1-1086.0 |archive-date=4 August 2012 |access-date=1 November 2021 |work=Donegal Democrat}}

Cumann na gCurach, based at Machaire Gathlán, is a voluntary group that organises currach races and takes part in numerous races all over the country.{{Cite news |date=7 June 2010 |title=Curragh racing in Gaoth Dobhair |url=https://www.donegallive.ie/news/local/curragh_racing_in_gaoth_dobhair_1_2005186 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604082723/http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/local/curragh_racing_in_gaoth_dobhair_1_2005186 |archive-date=4 June 2012 |access-date=1 November 2021 |work=Donegal Democrat}}

File:Amharclann2.jpg serves as the epicentre of cultural events in Gweedore]]

Gweedore is famed for its traditional Irish music scene, which is prevalent in local taverns, and has produced a number of well-known musicians. Clannad formed from the local Brennan family in 1970, and have since gone on to sell over 15 million records; their lead singer Moya Brennan has also enjoyed a successful solo career, providing musical scores for several Hollywood films. Gweedore's most successful musician is a member of the same family - Enya, born as Eithne Ní Bhraonáin;{{Cite web |url=https://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Enya:1927003569:page=biography |title=Enya biography |access-date=18 January 2017 |archive-date=7 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807044338/http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Enya:1927003569:page=biography |url-status=live }} she first appeared on stage at Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair and was a member of Clannad for two years from 1980, before going on to become a world-renowned artist, and second-best-selling in Ireland, with her record sales exceeding 90 million.{{Cite web |url=http://wordpress.hotpress.com/themusicshow/2009/09/01/nicky-ryan/ |title=Nicky Ryan | the Music Show |access-date=6 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324001156/http://wordpress.hotpress.com/themusicshow/2009/09/01/nicky-ryan/ |archive-date=24 March 2016 |url-status=dead }} Altan (initially Ceoltóirí Altan), another highly successful local band, is led by Coshclady fiddler Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh. Other local singers include Aoife Ní Fhearraigh,{{Cite web |url=http://www.aoife.ie/ |title=Aoife Ní Fhearraigh website |access-date=10 November 2007 |archive-date=18 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118171743/http://www.aoife.ie/ |url-status=live }} Brídín Brennan,{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071111113052/http://www.bridinbrennan.com/about_bridin/index.html Brídín Brennan website]}} Na Casaidigh,{{Cite web |url=http://www.thecassidys.com/flash/start.html |title=The Cassidys website |access-date=10 November 2007 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927010625/http://www.thecassidys.com/flash/start.html |url-status=live }} Proinsias Ó Maonaigh,{{Cite web|url=http://beo.ie/index.php?page=archive_content&archive_id=1184|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315035707/http://beo.ie/index.php?page=archive_content&archive_id=1184|url-status=dead|title=Report of Proinsias Ó Maonaigh's election as president of Oireachtas na Gaeilge|archive-date=15 March 2008|access-date=1 November 2021}} Gearóidín Bhreathnach, Seamus McGee{{Cite web|url=http://www.seamusmcgee.com/home.htm|title=Seamus Mc Gee|date=16 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316142024/http://www.seamusmcgee.com/home.htm|access-date=1 November 2021|archive-date=16 March 2008}} and Maria McCool.[http://www.dun-na-ngall.com/gweedore.html Dún na nGall.com – Gaoth Dobhair/Gweedore] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017102618/http://www.dun-na-ngall.com/gweedore.html |date=17 October 2013 }} The 1970s group Skara Brae also had strong links with the district.

There are two active choirs in the area. Cór Mhuire Doirí Beaga, previously led by Baba Brennan and Eileen Nic Suibhne{{Cite web|url=http://www.moyabrennan.com/archives.php?newsid=54|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117024843/http://www.moyabrennan.com/archives.php?newsid=54|url-status=dead|title=Moya Brennan website|archive-date=17 November 2007|access-date=1 November 2021}} and Cór Thaobh 'a Leithid, led by Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde.[http://dun-na-ngall.com/nw71.html Dún-na-ngall.com News June/July 2006] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005064818/http://www.dun-na-ngall.com/nw71.html |date=5 October 2007 }} Both have recorded successful albums. The tune 'Gweedore' by Samuel Sebastian Wesley is set to the hymn 'Author of life divine' by Charles Wesley in Hymns Ancient & Modern New Standard #258i.

The song "Gleanntáin Ghlas' Ghaoth Dobhair" was written by local musician Francie Mooney, expressing an exile's final farewell to the green valleys of Gweedore. It has become a modern Irish classic and it has been covered by the likes of Clannad, Paul Brady, Dáithí Sproule, The Johnstons and most notably by Altan. Other well-known songs to have come from the area are "Trasna na dTonnta" and "Báidín Fheilimí".

File:Lafheilepadraiggaothdobhair.jpg

The popular Scoil Gheimhridh Frankie Kennedy ("Frankie Kennedy Winter School"), in memory of the eponymous Belfast musician that died of cancer in 1994 who was married to its founder Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, took place in Gweedore every New Year until January 2014.{{Cite news |last=Maguire |first=Stephen |date=24 October 2013 |title=End of an era as Frankie Kennedy winter school to close |url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2013/10/24/end-of-an-era-as-frankie-kennedy-winter-school-to-close/ |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=Donegal Daily}} It has been replaced by the Scoil Gheimhridh Ghaoth Dobhair ("Gweedore Winter School").{{Cite web |date=21 December 2018 |title=Scoil Gheimhridh Ghaoth Dobhair - Donegal's trad gathering at 25 |url=https://www.rte.ie/culture/2018/1221/1018338-scoil-gheimhridh-ghaoth-dobhair-donegals-trad-gathering-at-25/ |access-date=19 May 2025 |website=RTÉ}}

Several attempts have been made recently to revive festivals in the summer months, including Féile Earthcore,{{Cite news |last=Feeny |first=Seán P. |date=9 July 2012 |title=Brendan 'Graces' Féile Earthcore |url=https://donegalnews.com/brendan-graces-feile-earthcore/ |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=Donegal News}} Loinneog Lúnasa,{{Cite news |date=29 July 2014 |title=Fantastic line-up for fourth annual Loinneog Lúnasa Festival |url=https://donegalnews.com/fantastic-line-up-for-fourth-annual-loinneog-lunasa-festival/ |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=Donegal News}} Féile Ceoil Ghaoth Dobhair and the Sult music festival.{{Cite news |last=Sweeney |first=Sabrina |date=11 July 2024 |title=Organisers of Sult Music Festival hoping music fans support event |url=https://donegalnews.com/organisers-of-sult-music-festival-hoping-music-fans-support-event/ |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=Donegal News}} The annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade which goes from Bunbeg crossroads to Derrybeg attracts a large number of participants and spectators each year.{{Cite news |last=Feeny |first=Seán P. |date=13 March 2014 |title=Lots of events around the county for St Patrick’s Day |url=https://donegalnews.com/lots-of-events-around-the-county-for-st-patricks-day/ |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=Donegal News}}

Gweedore has a rich history of theatre and drama productions. The local theatre Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair was constructed in 1961. In decades prior to this, a local theatre group known as Aisteoirí Ghaoth Dobhair ('actors of Gweedore') was established in 1932.{{Cite news |last=Farrar |first=Carolyn |date=14 July 2010 |title=Aisteoirí Ghaoth Dobhair to bring Aintín Shéarlais to An Grianán |url=https://www.donegallive.ie/news/local/aisteoir_237_ghaoth_dobhair_to_bring_aint_237_n_sh_233_arlais_to_an_grian_225_n_1_2005752 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604082653/http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/local/aisteoir_237_ghaoth_dobhair_to_bring_aint_237_n_sh_233_arlais_to_an_grian_225_n_1_2005752 |archive-date=4 June 2012 |access-date=1 November 2021 |work=Donegal Democrat}} Their first production was called In Aimsir an Mháirtínigh, an original play by Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde which was staged in the parish hall in Derrybeg.{{Cite report |url=https://www.irishtheatreinstitute.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Findings-Report-of-Playogrpahy-na-Gaeilge_1901_2010.pdf |title=Findings Report of Playography na Gaeilge 1901-2010 |date=May 2011 |publisher=Irish Theatre Institute |page=32 |access-date=19 May 2025}} Their plays and pantomimes, which were all staged in Irish, became a staple of Gaeltacht social life, drawing audiences from as far as Belfast and they performed throughout Ireland and Scotland. Members of the theatre group have gone on to create TV shows including CU Burn (Seán Mac Fhionnghaile), and have appeared on Ros na Rún (Gavin Ó Fearraigh).{{cite web|url=https://www.modelmayhem.com/2179751|title=Gavin O Fearraigh|work=modelmayhem.com|access-date=12 March 2020|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063655/http://www.modelmayhem.com/2179751|url-status=live}} Many of Gweedore's musicians were associated with the group.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eiYEcAAACAAJ |title=Irish Folk Harpists |date=2010-11-24 |publisher=General Books LLC |isbn=9781156999066 |editor-last1= |editor-first1=}} Aisteoirí Ghaoth Dobhair are still active and performed shows at An Grianán Theatre in Letterkenny as part of the Earagail Arts Festival in 2010 and 2011.[http://www.culturefox.ie/event/aisteoiri-ghaoth-dobhair/1704.aspx] {{Dead link|date=September 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}

Gaoth Dobhair is home to two art galleries which house work by some of the area's best-known painters. An Clachán claims to be the largest art gallery in Donegal, whilst An Gailearaí at Áislann Ghaoth Dobhair has staged exhibitions based on the work of the world-renowned Derek Hill.{{Cite web |url=http://www.gweedorecourthotel.com/about/an-clachan-gift-gallery |title=An Clachán gallery |access-date=15 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419064551/http://www.gweedorecourthotel.com/about/an-clachan-gift-gallery |archive-date=19 April 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

File:bunbegbeach.jpg

The Roman Catholic parish of Gweedore has four churches: Teach Pobal Mhuire (St Mary's) in Derrybeg (built in 1972, after the previous 'old chapel' had flooded on many occasions), Teach Pobail an Chroí Naofa (Sacred Heart) in Dunlewey (built in 1877), Teach Pobail Naomh Pádraig (St Patrick's) in Meenaweel (built in 1938) and Séipéal Cholmcille (St Columba's) in Bloody Foreland (built in 1933). The only Protestant church in Gweedore is St Patrick's Church of Ireland, in Bunbeg.{{Cite web |title=Gweedore St Patrick (Bunbeg) |url=https://www.churchofireland.org/find-a-church/parish/11620/gweedore-st-patrick-bunbeg |access-date=19 May 2025 |website=Church of Ireland}}{{Cite news |last=Crockett |first=Rebecca |date=3 November 2024 |title=‘Sitting in Bunbeg church, I thought it’d be lovely to be here on Christmas morning’ |url=https://donegalnews.com/sitting-in-bunbeg-church-i-thought-itd-be-lovely-to-be-here-on-christmas-morning/ |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=Donegal News}}

The regional studios of the Irish language radio station RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta are in the townland of Derrybeg. Two radio shows are broadcast from Gweedore each day, as well as regional news every hour.

File:Dunlewy - Derelict church with walled yard and gate - geograph.org.uk - 1190473.jpg|Derelict Church of Ireland in Dunlewey

File:RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Doirí Beaga, Gaoth Dobhair, Dún na nGall.jpg|RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta studios in Derrybeg

File:View across Dunmore Strand to Inishinny - geograph.org.uk - 305455.jpg|Inishinny Island

File:Magheragallonpier2.JPG|Cití Archie's pier, Magheragallon

File:Gweedore area - Bloody Foreland - geograph.org.uk - 1337837.jpg|Cliffs at Bloody Foreland

File:Hiudaibeag.jpg|Hiúdaí Beag's Tavern in Bunbeg

File:Glassagh - R257 north of Teac Jack's Hotel - geograph.org.uk - 1180037.jpg|Glassagh

File:Meenaclady - Cottage east of Bloody Foreland - geograph.org.uk - 1180575.jpg|Bloody Foreland

File:Anbunbeag2.jpg|Bunbeg harbour

File:Crolly (Croishlí) - geograph.org.uk - 501575.jpg|Crolly Bridge

File:Sean Teach Phobail na Doirí Beaga.jpg|Old Chapel in Derrybeg

File:Golabeach.jpg|Gola Island

File:Gweedore area - Sheep grazing along R257 - geograph.org.uk - 1337991.jpg|Sheep grazing in Meenaclady

File:Bunbeg - Magheragallon Cemetery - geograph.org.uk - 1177853.jpg|Church ruins in Magheragallon cemetery

File:Badeddie.jpg|'Bád Eddie' shipwreck on Magheraclogher beach

Because Gweedore is in the Gaeltacht and partly due to the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003, only the original Irish versions of placenames have any legal status, and these are used on road signage. However, anglicised versions were created for most placenames and are still in common for informal use in English.

• Áit an tSeantí (Attantantee)
• An tArd Donn (Arduns)
• Ard na gCeapairí (Ardnagappery)
• Baile an Droichid (Ballindrait)
• An Baile Láir (Middletown)
• An Bun Beag (Bunbeg)
• Bun an Inbhir (Bunaninver)
• Bun an Leaca (Brinlack or Brinaleck)
• An Charraig (Carrick)
• Carraig an tSeascain (Carrickataskin)
• An Chorrmhín (Corveen)
• Cnoc an Stolaire (Knockastolar)
• Cnoc Fola (Bloody Foreland)
• Coitín or An Choiteann (Cotteen)
• Croichshlí or Croithlí (Crolly)
• Dobhar (Dore)
• Na Doirí Beaga or Doire Beag (Derrybeg)
• Dún Lúiche (Dunlewey)
• Glaise Chú (Glasserchoo)
• An Ghlaisigh (Glassagh)
• Gleann Tornáin (Glentornan)
• Gleann Ualach (Glenhola)
• An Luinnigh (Lunniagh)
• Loch Caol (Loughkeel)
• Machaire Chlochair (Magheraclogher)
• Machaire Gathlán (Magheragallon or Magheragallen)
• Machaire Loisce (Magheralosk)
• Mín an Chladaigh (Meenacladdy)
• Mín a Loch (Meenalough)
• Mín an Iolair (Meenaniller)
• Mín na Cuinge (Meenacuing)
• Mín Uí Bhaoill (Meenaweel)
• Mín Doire Dhaimh (Meenderrygamph)
• Muine Dubh (Meenaduff)
• Na Machaireacha
• Port Uí Chuireáin (Curransport)
• An Rampar
• An Screabán
• An Seascann Beag (Sheskinbeg)
• An Sloitheán (Sleghan)
• Srath Máirtín (Stramartin)
• Srath na Bruaí (Stranabooey)
• Srath na Corcrach (Stranacorkra)
• An Tor (Torr)

• Abhainn Chró Nimhe (Cronaniv Burn)
• Abhainn Dhuibhlinne (Devlin River)
• An Chláidigh (Clady River)

• Gabhla (Gola)
• Inis Meáin (Inishmeane)
• Inis Oirthear (Inishsirrer)
• Inis Sionnaigh (Inishinny)
• Umthoinn (Umpin )

:* Toraigh (Tory), although not directly situated off the coast of Gweedore, the main ferry crossings is from Machaire Rabhartaigh in neighbouring Cloughaneely,{{Cite web |title=Tory Island Ferry |url=https://www.toryferry.com/ |access-date=11 October 2022 |website=Tory Ferry}}{{Cite news |last=Magnier |first=Eileen |date=13 July 1993 |title=Winter Ferry Service For Tory Island |url=https://www.rte.ie/archives/2018/0704/976315-tory-island-ferry-service/ |access-date=20 May 2025 |work=RTÉ News |via=RTÉ Archives}} with another from Bunbeg harbour in Gweedore.{{Cite web |date=May 2021 |title=Loop 65 - Tory Island loop |url=https://dldc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Route-Card-Tory-Island-loop-65.pdf |access-date=19 May 2025 |publisher=Fáilte Ireland |via=Donegal Local Development Company}}

{{unreferenced section|date=September 2023}}

The following is a list of notable people from the area:

• Moya Brennan (born 1952) – musician and singer (also see band Clannad)
• Enya (born 1961) – musician and singer
• Brídín Brennan (born 1968) – musician and singer
• Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (born 1959) – musician and singer
• Cormac Breslin (1902–1978) – politician (Fianna Fáil TD and Ceann Comhairle)
• Kevin Cassidy (born 1981) – Gaelic footballer and All-Star
• Vincent Coll (1908–1932) – prohibition-era gangster
• Breandán de Gallaí (born 1969) – former lead dancer with Riverdance
• Pearse Doherty (born 1977) – Sinn Féin TD
• James Duffy (1889–1969) – recipient of the Victoria Cross
• Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí (1970-2023) – radio personality
• Seán Mac Fhionnghaile (1952–2009) – actor
• Kevin Gillespie (born 1972) – Catholic cleric
• Tarlach Mac Suibhne (1831–1916) – musician
• John McCole (1936–1982) – soccer player; born in Glasgow but buried in Gweedore from where his parents came
• Na Mooneys - family folk band
• Neil McGee (born 1985) – All-Ireland winning Gaelic footballer and All-Star
• Eamon McGee (born 1984) – All-Ireland winning Gaelic footballer
• Dinny McGinley (born 1945) – former Fine Gael TD. and Minister of State
• Odhrán Mac Niallais (born 1992) – Gaelic footballer
• Francie Mooney (1922–2006) – musician
• Na Casaidigh, traditional Irish band
• Natasha Nic Gairbheith (born 1981) – Miss Ireland 2004
• Aoife Ní Fhearraigh - singer
• Patrick O'Donnell (1835–1883) – Irish Republican
• Gavin Ó Fearraigh (born 1980) – actor/model
• Bríd Rodgers (born 1935) – SDLP politician, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Upper Bann.

• List of towns and villages in Ireland
• Teach Mhicí

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|2}}

• [http://www.gaothdobhair.ie Gaothdobhair.ie. Official website for Gweedore by the Gweedore Tourist & Traders Community group]
• [http://www.gweedore.net Gweedore.net – Your Guide to Gaoth Dobhair ... The Heart and Soul of Donegal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215182736/http://www.gweedore.net/ |date=15 February 2015 }}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20131017102618/http://www.dun-na-ngall.com/gweedore.html County Donegal.net & Dún na nGall.com – Gaoth Dobhair/Gweedore]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130227005844/http://anghaeltacht.net/ctg/catagoira.pdf Gweedore pop stats 2006]
• [https://www.wildatlanticgweedore.com/ Wild Atlantic Gweedore – Website promoting the beauty and history of Gweedore] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406195318/https://www.wildatlanticgweedore.com/ |date=6 April 2022 }}

{{Gaeltacht}}

{{County Donegal}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Gaeltacht places in County Donegal

Category:Gaeltacht towns and villages

Category:Geography of County Donegal

Category:Townlands of County Donegal

Category:Towns and villages in County Donegal