pop (2000e) 130 000; area 4830 km²/1865 sq mi. County in Ulster province, N Ireland; bounded W and N by the Atlantic Ocean and E by N Ireland; watered by Finn and Foyle Rivers; Blue Stack Mts (W), Derry Eagh (NW), and Slieve Snaght (N) rising to 752 m/2467 ft at Errigal; capital, Lifford; tweed manufacture, agriculture, livestock; deposits of uranium; Station I on L Derg an important place of pilgrimage, associated with St Patrick.
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Donegal Dún na nGall |
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WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 54.6500° N 8.1167° W Irish Grid Reference G924789 |
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| Town population: | 2,453 (2002) |
| Rural population: | 3,756 (2006) |
| Elevation: | 23m |
| County: | Donegal |
| Province: | Ulster |
Coordinates: 54.6500° N 8.1167° W
Donegal (Irish: Dún na nGall) is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. Donegal (IPA: /dʌniːgɒl/) is not the county town (capital) of County Donegal, despite being its namesake. Rather, the county town is Lifford, and Letterkenny is the county's largest town. Donegal town is situated at the mouth of Donegal Bay and is overshadowed by the Bluestack Mountains.
History
There is evidence for settlements around the town dating back to prehistoric times including the remains of round forts and other earth works.
Donegal Town itself is famous for being the former home to the O'Donnell clan, who played a pivotal role in Irish history. The current plan of the town was also laid out including an attractive town square or Diamond.
Traditionally the largest employer in the town has been Magee of Donegal.
Sport and media
Donegal town is home to many amateur sports clubs.
The town is home to the regional newspapers Donegal Democrat and Donegal Post and the more local newspaper Donegal Times. Ocean FM (Ireland), an independent regional radio station, has one of its three studios in the town, which broadcasts to most of south County Donegal.
Donegal is a town briefly featured in the novel 'Lamb' by Bernard MacLaverty
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