Donegal
Donegal
Donegal, the northernmost county of Ireland, lies along the Atlantic coast.
The population is 127,994 (1991), and the area is 4,830 sq km (1,865 sq mi). Lifford is the county town.
Donegal is primarily mountainous, reaching 752 m (2,466 ft) at Errigal Mountain. Most of the population lives along the
coast and in the river valleys, where they grow potatoes and oats. Fishing, tourism, and stock raising are also important.
Tweeds and other textiles are the principal products of the towns. Irish is still spoken in the mountainous areas. Known as
Tyrconnel in ancient times, Donegal was long ruled by the O'Donnell family and was one of the last parts of Ireland to
come under English rule (1603). Although part of the province of ULSTER, it was awarded to the Irish Free State
(later the Republic of Ireland) in the partition of 1920-22.
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