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Slieve League, County Donegal
Photograph: Tony Webster from San Francisco, California · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Province of Ulster

County Donegal

Dún na nGall

Known as The Forgotten County. A modern nickname and a complaint: Donegal is the county most often left off the map, cut off from the rest of the Republic by the border and a long way from anyone making decisions.

Did you know? Tory Island, nine miles offshore, still recognises a 'King of Tory' — for generations the islanders' chosen spokesman greeted every visitor stepping off the ferry.
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Clans & surnames of Donegal
Boyle Ó Baoighill Gaelic sept · “descendant of Baoigheall, 'vain pledge'” Breslin Ó Breisleáin Gaelic learned family · “descendant of Breasal — the meaning of the personal name is not securely known” Brogan Ó Brógáin Gaelic sept · “descendant of Brógán — probably from bróg, 'shoe'” Cannon Mac Canann Gaelic sept · “son of Cana, 'a whelp' or wolf cub” Clarke Ó Cléirigh Gaelic learned family · “descendant of the cleric — possibly Europe's oldest surname (916 AD)” Curran Ó Corráin Gaelic septs (several) · “descendant of Corrán” Doherty Ó Dochartaigh Gaelic sept · “descendant of Dochartach, 'the hurtful'” Duffy Ó Dubhthaigh Gaelic sept · “descendant of Dubhthach, 'the dark one'” Gallagher Ó Gallchobhair Gaelic sept · “descendant of Gallchobhar, 'foreign help'” Gill Mac an Ghoill Norse-Gaelic · “son of the foreigner” Magee Mag Aoidh Gaelic sept · “son of Aodh, 'fire'” McBride Mac Giolla Bhríde Gaelic sept · “son of the servant of St Brigid” McFadden Mac Pháidín Scots-Gaelic & Irish · “son of Páidín, 'little Patrick'” McLoughlin Mac Lochlainn Gaelic dynasty · “son of Lochlann, 'the Norse-lander'” McNelis Mac Niallais Gaelic sept · “son of Niallas, a name formed on Niall, 'champion'” McNulty Mac an Ultaigh Gaelic sept · “son of the Ulsterman” Mulligan Ó Maolagáin Gaelic sept · “descendant of Maolagán, 'the little tonsured one'” Murray Ó Muireadhaigh / Mac Muireadhaigh Gaelic sept & Scots · “descendant of Muireadhach, 'seafarer / lord'” O'Donnell Ó Domhnaill Gaelic dynasty · “descendant of Domhnall, 'world-ruler'” Quigley Ó Coigligh Gaelic sept · “descendant of Coigleach” Sweeney Mac Suibhne Scots-gallowglass · “son of Suibhne, 'well-going'” Tierney Ó Tighearnaigh Gaelic sept · “descendant of Tighearnach, 'lordly'” Ward Mac an Bhaird Gaelic learned family · “son of the bard” Watters Mac Uaitéir / Ó hUisce / Ó Fuaruisce Gaelic septs & Ulster settlers · “'son of Walter' (Mac Uaitéir) — or, for the Gaelic septs, names built on 'uisce', water: 'descendant of the water' (Ó hUisce), 'cold water' (Ó Fuaruisce)”

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On the ground in Donegal

Every pin is placed by its documented coordinates. All the monuments of Ireland →

Quick answers
What is the Irish name for County Donegal?

Dún na nGall. Donegal is one of the 9 counties of Ulster (Cúige Uladh).

Who ruled County Donegal in the Middle Ages?

Around 1014 it was held by Tír Chonaill (O'Donnell); by 1450, O'Donnell of Tír Chonaill. The full era-by-era chronology is on this page.

What surnames come from County Donegal?

Names historically associated with Donegal include Boyle, Breslin, Brogan, Cannon, Clarke, Curran, Doherty, Duffy, among others.

Trace your ancestors in Donegal

Free, from the holding institutions. How to begin: the six-step guide → · Spotted an error on this page? Suggest a correction.