Downings
Gaeltacht village in County Donegal, Ireland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Downings or Downies (Irish: Na Dúnaibh)[1][2][3] is a Gaeltacht village and townland on the Rosguill peninsula in County Donegal, Ireland. The village is on the shores of Sheephaven Bay on the north coast of Ireland.[4][5]
Downings
Na Dúnaibh | |
|---|---|
Village | |
Downings Bay | |
  Downings Location in Ireland | |
| Coordinates: 55°11′40″N 7°50′11″W | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Ulster |
| County | County Donegal |
| Barony | Kilmacrenan |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-1 (IST (WEST)) |
| Irish Grid Reference | B847228 |
Name
As the village is in a Gaeltacht district, its official name is Na Dúnaibh, its name in the Irish language. The name probably means 'the forts', reflecting the existence of several hill forts in the area.[6] The full original Irish name seems to have been (hi ccrannóicc) na nDuini.[6] The name may also be a hibernicisation of the English name, to describe the sandy dunes connecting the peninsula to the County Donegal mainland.[citation needed]
History
Evidence of ancient settlement in the area includes a number of ringfort and standing stone sites in the townlands of Larganreagh (Leargain Riach), Downies (Na Dúnaibh) and Rosepenna (Machaire Loiscthe).[7]
In 2007, local divers recovered a gun from the wreck of HMS Laurentic at the mouth of Lough Swilly. The gun is now mounted beside Downings Pier.[8][9]
Economy
The fishing port at Downings was previously home to a substantial herring fleet. Today, the economy survives partly on tourism. Na Dúnaibh is home to the 'McNutt of Donegal' tweed factory and shop.[citation needed] It is also home to McBride Fishing who operate three crab fishing boats and the online fishing industry news platform The Fishing Daily.[citation needed] The Meevagh Boatyard, located on Mulroy Bay, was established in the early 1900s by the Congested District Board. It built fishing boats, for local fishermen, during the herring boom.[citation needed]
Situated on Sheephaven Bay, Downings is one of the safest anchorages on the north coast of Ireland, and is a must for an overnight stay for anyone sailing along the Donegal coast.[citation needed]
Recreation
The Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort, just outside Downings village,[10] is located on the dunes that link the Rosguill peninsula to the mainland. The golf club's links course was initially designed by Old Tom Morris in the 1890s.[10]
Downings lies on the Donegal Atlantic Drive tourist driving route.[11]
People
- The Most Rev. Dr Philip Boyce, Lord Bishop Emeritus of Raphoe. He served as the Lord Bishop of Raphoe from October 1995 to June 2017.
- Maxi Curran, Gaelic football manager[12]