Milford or Millford, historically called Ballynagalloglagh , is a small town and townland

Townland

A townland or bally is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. The townland system is of Gaelic origin—most townlands are believed to pre-date the Norman invasion and most have names derived from the Irish language...

 in County Donegal

County Donegal

County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...

, Ireland

Ireland

Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...

. The population at the 2006 census was 829.

History and name

Located north of Letterkenny

Letterkenny

Letterkenny , with a population of 17,568, is the largest town in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland. The town is located on the River Swilly...

, the town was founded in the 18th century by the Clement family.

The Irish Baile na nGallóglach literally means "town of the gallóglach

Gallowglass

The gallowglass or galloglass – from , gallóglach – were an elite class of mercenary warrior who came from Norse-Gaelic clans in the Hebrides and Highlands of Scotland between the mid 13th century and late 16th century...

". The gallóglaigh (anglicised gallowglass) were an elite class of mercenary

Mercenary

A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...

 warrior

Warrior

A warrior is a person skilled in combat or warfare, especially within the context of a tribal or clan-based society that recognizes a separate warrior class.-Warrior classes in tribal culture:...

 who came from Gaelic-Norse

Norse-Gaels

The Norse–Gaels were a people who dominated much of the Irish Sea region, including the Isle of Man, and western Scotland for a part of the Middle Ages; they were of Gaelic and Scandinavian origin and as a whole exhibited a great deal of Gaelic and Norse cultural syncretism...

 clans in Scotland

Scotland

Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...

 between the mid 13th century and late 16th century. A battle between the Irish (helped by gallóglaigh) and the English took place on a hill in the townland and this is where the name comes from.

Amenities

The town once had 2 major employers in the Milford Bakery & Flour Mills and Mc Mahons garage but sadly both are now gone a long time.It now contains a post-office, 3 supermarket, a veterinary practice, 3 pubs, one national school and two second-level schools, as well as an adult education centre. Milford also has a health centre, library with council offices and a fire station.
The town has a three star hotel on the outskirts as well as a new Lidl store and is within close driving distances to four different beaches; Portsalon

Portsalon

Portsalon is a coastal townland in County Donegal, Ireland. It's situated on the scenic Lough Swilly and it is world-renowned for its beach, which was deemed to be the second most beautiful beach in the world by The Observer....

, Rathmullan

Rathmullan

Rathmullan is a small seaside village on the Fanad Peninsula in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland. It is situated on the western shore of Lough Swilly, 11 km north-east of Ramelton and 12 km east of Milford...

, Downings

Downings

Na Dúnaibh is a Gaeltacht townland and village on the Rosguill peninsula in County Donegal, Ireland.-Name:...

 and Tramore.

People

Celtic F.C.

Celtic F.C.

Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...

 footballer Patsy Gallacher was born in Milford in 1891.
Milford Health Centre

See also

• List of towns and villages in Ireland