Gweedore

Gaoth Dobhair
Gweedore
Parish

An aerial view of Gweedore, with Mount Errigal and Magheraclogher beach.
Gaoth Dobhair

Location in Ireland

Coordinates: 55°03′06″N 8°13′58″W / 55.0516522°N 8.2327056°W / 55.0516522; -8.2327056Coordinates: 55°03′06″N 8°13′58″W / 55.0516522°N 8.2327056°W / 55.0516522; -8.2327056
Country Ireland
Province Ulster
County County Donegal
Government
 • Dáil Éireann Donegal South–West
 • EU Parliament North–West
Population (2002)
 • Total 4,065
Time zone WET (UTC+0)
 • Summer (DST) IST (WEST) (UTC-1)
Area code(s) 074 95, +000 353 74 95
Irish Grid Reference B847228
Website www.gweedore.net

Gweedore (officially known by its Irish language name, Gaoth Dobhair, Irish pronunciation: [ˌɡˠi ˈd̪ˠoːɾʲ])[1] is an Irish-speaking parish located on the Atlantic coast of County Donegal, Ireland. Gweedore stretches some 16 miles (26 km) from Meenaclady[2] in the north to Crolly in the south and around 9 miles (14 km) from Dunlewey in the east to Magheraclogher in the west, and is one of Europe's most densely populated rural areas.[3][4] It is the largest Irish-speaking parish in Ireland with a population of around 4,065,[5] and is also the home of the northwest regional studios of the Irish-language radio service RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta,[6] as well as an external campus of National University of Ireland, Galway.[7] Gweedore includes the villages Bunbeg, Derrybeg, Dunlewey, Crolly and Brinalack,[8] and sits in the shade of Donegal's highest peak, Errigal.[9]

Gweedore is known for being a cradle of Irish culture,[10] with old Irish customs, traditional music, theatre, Gaelic games and the Irish language playing a central and pivotal role in the lives of the local people. This, along with its scenery and many beaches, has made the area a popular tourist destination, especially with visitors from Northern Ireland.[11] Gweedore and the neighbouring districts of Cloughaneely and the Rosses are collectively known locally as "the three parishes", they form a social and cultural region distinct from the rest of the county, with Gweedore serving as the main centre for socialising and industry.[12][13]

Etymology

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".[14]

The name Gweedore or Gaoth Dobhair refers to the Catholic parish of the same name, not to any one village or town. The villages of Bunbeg, Derrybeg, Dunlewey and others are collectively known as Gweedore. Locals consider themselves to be from Gweedore, only citing Derrybeg, Bunbeg etc. as mere postal addresses.[15]

Language

Gweedore has a population of 4,500 and is divided into 3 EDs:

The predominantly spoken language of the district is Irish, but English can be widely heard as well. All schools, religious services, and advertisements are through Irish.[16] Thousands of second-level and some third-level students from all over Ireland attend summer schools at Coláiste Cholmcille (Columcille's College), Coláiste Bun an Inbhir, Coláiste Chú Chulainn, Coláiste Mhuire and Coláiste an Phiarsaigh in Gaoth Dobhair every summer to further their knowledge and understanding of the Irish language.[17] This is a Gaeltacht area, where the Irish language is the first spoken, providing an unbroken link with millennia of Irish history and culture.

A view of Gweedore from Bloody Foreland.

Since most of the inhabitants of the village 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 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. [Generally used in the context of an equivalent Irish word either not existing or rendering the sentence form incorrect.][18]

History

Magheragallon Cemetery, Derrybeg.
An aerial view of Gweedore.

The Ulster Plantation in 1609 added a twist to the fate of the parish. Irish-speaking families who were driven from their fertile lands in the Lagan 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 settlers 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.[19]

The standard of life was to deteriorate with the arrival of new landlords in the 19th century, in particular Lord George Augusta Hill (1801–1879) and his son Arthur. The people of the parish led by James McFadden (Irish: 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 parishioners of Royal Irish Constabulary District Inspector William Limbrick Martin (locally known as An Mháirtínigh) outside the local church, Teach Phobail Mhuire, in Derrybeg on Sunday 3 February 1889, while rushing Father McFadden with a drawn sword, was the climax of the Land War in Gweedore.[20] The case was recalled in the 1928 memoirs of Tim Healy, who defended Father McFadden and his parishioners.[21]

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.[22]

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.[23]

Freak storm

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 signals, causing people trapped by the floods to be unable to communicate. Up to 20 houses were cut off from the outside world after three access bridges were carried away by the swollen rivers. [24][25]

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 the Irish Meteorological Service estimated that between 2pm and 6pm, up to 60cm of rain fell at the core.[25][26]

Economy

The main R257 road which runs right through Gweedore, seen here in Derrybeg.

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.[27] The factory in the townland of Crolly has been manufacturing porcelain dolls since 1939 under the name Crolly Dolls.[28]

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 supermarkets, convenience stores, beauticians, hairdressers, contractors, garages, pharmacists, pubs, cafes, and five well-established hotels: Ostan Gweedore, Derrybeg Hotel, Teach Jack, An Chúirt Hotel and Foreland Heights.

Education

Áislann Ghaoth Dobhair (opened in 2011) is a state of the art building which houses the local library, play school and an exhibition gallery.

Primary level

All five primary schools in the area are Irish-speaking schools. Children are not taught English until higher infants level (5–6 years old).

Secondary level

The only community school (post primary) is Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, established in Lunniagh in 1977.[29] As with the local primary schools, all students are educated through the medium of Irish and most sit their public examinations in Irish.

Third level

In 2004, National University of Ireland, Galway expanded to Gweedore when it opened Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge,[30] providing third level education through the medium of the Irish language to over 80 students every year. Several diplomas are available as well as a new bachelor degree in business studies.

Physical features

The rugged Gweedore coast, shown here in Bloody Foreland.

Gweedore is renowned for its distinct physical features. Probably the most recognisable feature is Errigal, the tallest mountain in County Donegal,[9] which overshadows the picturesque Dunlewey Lough. It is surrounded by the deep glens and lakes of the Poisoned Glen, and further on, Glenveagh national park and castle, the largest national park in Ireland.[31] Another landmark is 'Bád Eddie' (Eddie's Boat), Cara Na Mara("Friend of the Sea"), a shipwreck which has been situated on Magherclogher beach since the early 70s where it had run ashore due to rough seas.[32]

The Gweedore coastline consists of long sandy beaches and rugged cliffs. Also, off the Gweedore coastlines are many small islands, including Gola,[33] and Tory.[34] In the background a series of mountains, glens and bogs which have combined with the bracing weather to keep this part of the world relatively secluded.

Transport

Gweedore railway station, opened on 9 March 1903, closed for passenger traffic on 3 June 1940 and finally closed altogether on 6 January 1947. 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 Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway (L&LSR).[35] Coaches that operate from Gweedore include Collins Coaches Donegal to Glasgow, Feda Ó Dónaill,[36] Coyle's Coaches,[37] John McGinley,[38] Patrick Gallagher Coaches,[39] Crónán Mac Pháidín private hire coaches,[40] and a bus route serving the local airport.[41] For many years the Lough Swilly Railway company provided a bus service for the area, which transported people to places such as Letterkenny and other surrounding parishes.[42]

Sport

The C.L.G. Ghaoth Dobhair clubhouse and grounds, with Gweedore and Mount Errigal seen in the background

Sports played locally include Gaelic football, golf and soccer.

Gaelic games

The local GAA club, C.L.G. 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. Players such as Kevin Cassidy and the McGee brothers—Eamon and Neil—are known nationally. Hurling was never a popular sport in Gweedore, with the exception of a briefly successful minor team in the late 1990s.[43]

Golf

Gailf Chumann Ghaoth Dobhair, the local golf club, is also situated in Machaire Gathlán. The 9-hole course hugs the picturesque north-west coast and holds several high-profile tournaments throughout the year, most notably, 'The Clannad Classic', sponsored by the world-renowned local folk band.

Association football

Soccer clubs active in the area include Gweedore Celtic,[44] Gweedore United, Glenea United and Dunlewey Celtic. 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.[45] Aiden McGeady's paternal grandparents also hail from Gweedore and he spent many of his summer holidays in the parish.[46][47]

Currach racing

Cumann na gCurrach, based at Machaire Gathlán, is a voluntary group that organises currach races and takes part in numerous races all over the country.[48]

Arts and culture

Panoramic view of Magheraclogher beach and Gweedore Bay, also the site of the famous shipwreck, the Cara Na Mara (Friend of the Sea) on the tidal sandbanks. The boat, best known as 'Bád Eddie' (Eddie's Boat), ran ashore due to rough seas in the early 1970s.

Music

Gweedore is famed for its traditional Irish music scene, which is prevalent in local taverns, especially at Hiúdaí Beag's Tavern in Bunbeg.[49] Gweedore has produced a number of well-known musicians. Clannad were formed in 1972, and have since gone on to sell over 15 million records. Lead singer Moya Brennan has also enjoyed a successful solo career, providing musical scores for several Hollywood films. Altan (initially Ceoltóirí Altan),[50] another highly successful local band, is led by Coshclady fiddler Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh. Gweedore's most successful musician is Enya, born as Eithne Ní Bhraonáin;[51] she first appeared on stage in Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair as a member of Clannad, before going on to become one of the world's biggest-selling artists, with sales exceeding 80 million.[52] Other local singers include Aoife Ní Fhearraigh,[53] Brídín Brennan,[54] Na Casaidigh,[55] Proinsias Ó Maonaigh,[56] Gearóidín Bhreathnach, Seamus McGee[57] and Maria McCool.[58] The well-known 1970s group Skara Brae also had strong links with the district. There are two active choirs in the area. Cór Mhuire Doirí Beaga, led by Baba Brennan and Eileen Nic Suibhne[59] and Cór Thaobh 'a Leithid, led by Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde.[60] Both have recorded successful albums.

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".

Festivals

Gweedore holds one of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades in County Donegal.

The popular Frankie Kennedy Winter Music School takes part in Gweedore every new year in memory of the famous Belfast musician who was married to Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, until he died of cancer in 1994.[61] Several attempts have been made recently to revive festivals in the summer months, including Féile Earthcore, Loinneog Lúnasa and Féile Ceoil Ghaoth Dobhair. The annual St. Patrick's Day Parade which goes from Bunbeg crossroads to Derrybeg attracts thousands of participants and spectators each year.

Theatre

Gweedore has a rich history of theatre and drama productions. The local theatre Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair was constructed in 1961. A local theatre group known as Aisteoirí Ghaoth Dobhair ('actors of Gweedore') was established in 1932.[62] 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.[63] 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).[64] Many of Gweedore's musicians were associated with the group.[65] 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.[66]

Art

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.[67]

Religion

The 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),[25] 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.

Media

Radio

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. Barrscéalta hosted by Áine Ní Chuireáin is a chat-based show dealing with current affairs and local issues. Rónán Beo is an hour-long magazine show hosted by Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí which usually consists of musical interludes and light-hearted banter with local characters.

Print

Goitse, the only local newspaper currently in circulation, is an Irish-language weekly. There are also several newsletters which serve the Gweedore area, including the weekly Seacht.

Place names in Gweedore

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 informal use in English.

A view of Inishinny island.

Alphabetical listing

Mount Errigal is one of Gweedore's most significant physical features.
The Poison Glen, situated in the east of Gweedore, near the village of Dunlewey.
A view of Gweedore.
Sheep grazing along a road in Meenaclady, a regular sight in Gweedore.

Islands

  • Toraigh (Tory), although not directly situated off the coast of Gweedore, the main ferry crossings are from the area.[68]

Notable people

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

See also

References

  1. ↑ Placenames (Ceantair Ghaeltachta) Order 2004 p154 (of 155)
  2. ↑ Mín an Chladaigh in Irish; where anglicised placenames are used in this article, see #Place names in Gweedore for their official Irish names
  3. ↑ http://www.donegaldirect.ie/ws_town_details.aspx?Town=Gweedore+(Gaoth+Dobhair)
  4. ↑ http://www.goireland.com/donegal/gweedore.htm
  5. ↑ http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/destinations/ireland/article2544786.ece A Lost Weekend in Donegal
  6. ↑ "Stair RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 7 May 2007.
  7. ↑ http://www.donegalcottageholidays.com/towns/holiday-cottage-kincasslagh.php
  8. ↑ Logainmneacha Ghaoth Dobhair, Tír Chonaill, Éire
  9. 1 2 Gweedore and Mount Errigal
  10. ↑ http://www.gweedore.net/?p=57
  11. ↑ http://www.irishabroad.com/Travel/Features/gweedore.asp
  12. ↑ http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/cloughaneely_1_1986720
  13. ↑ http://www.letterkennypost.com/2007/05/page/2/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ↑ Logainmneacha Ghaoth Dobhair
  15. ↑ www.real-ireland.com
  16. ↑ An Chrannóg – Lárionad Gaeilge
  17. ↑ Coláiste Cholmcille website
  18. ↑ http://www.jstor.org/pss/2798880
  19. ↑ Gweedore Donegal
  20. ↑ History of Gweedore, Chapter One
  21. ↑ Healy memoirs online, chapter 22
  22. ↑ Hurlbert W vol.1, pp.66–122 online text
  23. ↑ Coiscéim 1996
  24. ↑ "Horror storms flood west Donegal"
  25. 1 2 3 Donegal Democrat report on flash flood in Gweedore, 24 June 2009
  26. ↑ Met Service report on the flood
  27. ↑ "Downturn forces Donegal factory cutbacks". RTÉ News. 28 September 2001.
  28. ↑ Crolly Dolls history
  29. ↑ www.gaothdobhair.com – Fáilte go Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair
  30. ↑ Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge website
  31. ↑ Visitor guide on Frommers.com
  32. ↑ rPhotosOnline.com :: Gweedore, Ireland, July 2005 :: Img_0201
  33. ↑ Gola Island
  34. ↑ Oileán Thoraí / Tory Island – nine miles off the Donegal coast
  35. ↑ "Gweedore station" (PDF). Railscot – Irish Railways. Retrieved 15 October 2007.
  36. ↑ Feda O'Donnell Coaches
  37. ↑ Coyle's Coaches
  38. ↑ John McGinley Coaches
  39. ↑ Patrick Gallagher Coaches
  40. ↑ Crónán Mac Pháidín coaches
  41. ↑ Donegal Airport Bus
  42. ↑ Lough Swilly buses
  43. ↑ Gaoth Dobhair GAA club
  44. ↑ Gweedore Celtic Football Club
  45. ↑ Donegal Democrat report on Crerand visit
  46. ↑ Gray, Sadie (1 May 2005). "The Big Interview Aiden McGeady". The Times (London). Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  47. ↑ Donegal Democrat report on McGeady visit
  48. ↑ Donegal Democrat report on currach racing
  49. ↑ "MC Muppet is a rapper from Connemara whose lyrics are very sexual in content. The Irish language is a very poetic language". The Irish Times. 3 March 2010.
  50. ↑ "Altan" on www.musicianguide.com
  51. ↑ Enya biography
  52. ↑ http://wordpress.hotpress.com/themusicshow/2009/09/01/nicky-ryan/
  53. ↑ Aoife Ní Fhearraigh website
  54. ↑ Brídín Brennan website
  55. ↑ The Cassidys website
  56. ↑ Report of Proinsias Ó Maonaigh's election as president of Oireachtas na Gaeilge
  57. ↑ Seamus McGee website
  58. ↑ Dún na nGall.com – Gaoth Dobhair/Gweedore
  59. ↑ Moya Brennan website
  60. ↑ Dún-na-ngall.com News June/July 2006
  61. ↑ Frankie Kennedy Winter School
  62. ↑ Donegal Democrat report on theatre
  63. ↑ http://www.irishplayography.com/search/company.aspx?la=en&companyID=406
  64. ↑ http://www.modelmayhem.com/2179751
  65. ↑ http://books.google.com/books/about/Irish_Folk_Harpists.html?id=eiYEcAAACAAJ
  66. ↑ http://www.culturefox.ie/event/aisteoiri-ghaoth-dobhair/1704.aspx
  67. ↑ An Clachán gallery
  68. ↑ Tory Island Ferry

External links

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