Rosguill is a peninsula

Peninsula

A peninsula is a piece of land that is bordered by water on three sides but connected to mainland. In many Germanic and Celtic languages and also in Baltic, Slavic and Hungarian, peninsulas are called "half-islands"....

 situated in north-north-west 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...

. Lying between the peninsulae of Fanad

Fanad

Fanad is a peninsula that lies between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay on the north coast of County Donegal in Ireland. It encompasses the parishes of Clondavaddog, Killygarvan and parts of Tullyfern and Aughinish. The peninsula includes the towns and villages of Milford, Kerrykeel , Tamney,...

 to the east and Horn Head

Horn Head

Horn Head is a peninsula in Donegal, North West Ireland, close to Dunfanaghy. It forms part of Sheephaven Bay.-Archeological Significance:...

 to the west, Rosguill is a dichotomy of heathland and ocean. With the great Sheephaven Bay

Sheephaven Bay

Sheephaven Bay is a broad, shallow inlet on the north coast of County Donegal, Ireland. Bounded by the peninsulae of Rosguill, to the east and Horn Head to the west, the bay is relatively protected from the full force of the Atlantic Ocean, and has supported a vibrant herring fleet.-Etymology:The...

 with its mellow waters and pure-white strands on the one hand, and the treacherous sand banks of Mulroy bay on the other. Between, a mixture of bog, hill and pastureland, the ancient walls, remnants of cattle enclosures, and the various evidences of fortification are proof of the area's use since antiquity. The Parish of Rosguill is an alternative name for the Parish

Parish

A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...

 of Mevagh, which covers the peninsula and an equally sized hinterland.

History and folklore

The area is heavy with legend, the name itself is supposed to have originated, when Fionn mac Cumhaill

Fionn mac Cumhaill

Fionn mac Cumhaill , known in English as Finn McCool, was a mythical hunter-warrior of Irish mythology, occurring also in the mythologies of Scotland and the Isle of Man...

 finally obtained justice by killing Goll mac Morna

Goll mac Morna

Goll mac Morna was a member of the fianna and an uneasy ally of Fionn mac Cumhail in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. He had killed Fionn's father, Cumhal, and taken over the leadership of the fianna, but when Fionn grew up and proved his worth Goll willingly stepped aside in his favour.His...

, the slayer of his father. This act is traditionally said to have taken place at a rock called Carraic Ghoill (Carrickguill) lying off the 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...

 of Dumhaigh (Dooey). The entire area became known as the "Headland of Goll" or Ros Goill.

Deirdre

Deirdre

Deirdre or Derdriu is the foremost tragic heroine in Irish mythology and probably its best-known figure in modern times. She is often called "Deirdre of the Sorrows." Her story is part of the Ulster Cycle, the best-known stories of pre-Christian Ireland.-Legendary Biography:Deirdre was the...

 and Naoise

Naoise

In Irish mythology, Noíse or Noisiu was the nephew of King Conchobar mac Nessa of Ulster, and a son of Usnech , in the Ulster Cycle....

, are thought to have camped on the strand of Trá Mhór (Tramore), when fleeing from Conchobar mac Nessa

Conchobar mac Nessa

Conchobar mac Nessa was the king of Ulster in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. He ruled from Emain Macha .-Birth:...

 King of Ulster

Ulster

Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...

 and his Knights of the Red Branch

Red Branch

The Red Branch is the name of two of the three royal houses of the king of Ulster, Conchobar mac Nessa, at his capital Emain Macha , in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology...

.

The highest point on the peninsula is Gainne Mhór and its sister peak Gainne Bheag. The name derives from Gráinne

Gráinne

Gráinne is the daughter of Cormac mac Airt in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. She is one of the central figures in the Middle Irish text Finn and Gráinne and most famously, in the 17th-century tale The Pursuit of Diarmuid and Gráinne, which tells of her betrothal to Fionn mac Cumhaill, leader...

, betrothed of Fionn mac Cumhaill

Fionn mac Cumhaill

Fionn mac Cumhaill , known in English as Finn McCool, was a mythical hunter-warrior of Irish mythology, occurring also in the mythologies of Scotland and the Isle of Man...

 and lover of Diarmuid Ua Duibhne

Diarmuid Ua Duibhne

Diarmuid Ua Duibhne or Diarmid O'Dyna is a son of Donn and a warrior of the Fianna in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. He is most famous as the lover of Gráinne, the intended wife of Fianna leader Fionn mac Cumhaill in The Pursuit of Diarmuid and Gráinne...

. While fleeing Fionn's Fianna

Fianna

Fianna were small, semi-independent warrior bands in Irish mythology and Scottish mythology, most notably in the stories of the Fenian Cycle, where they are led by Fionn mac Cumhaill....

 warriors en route to 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...

, legend has it that they rested on the hill. Considerable damage to the south western face of Gainne has been the result of unrestrained excavation in recent years. It was also used as a dump for a period. Nach mór a' náire (What a shame).

In the late 4th century the son of Niall Noigíallach

Niall of the Nine Hostages

Niall Noígíallach , or in English, Niall of the Nine Hostages, son of Eochaid Mugmedón, was an Irish king, the eponymous ancestor of the Uí Néill kindred who dominated Ireland from the 6th century to the 10th century...

 and the eponym of County Donegal (Tír Conaill), Conall Gulban

Conall Gulban

Conall Gulban was an Irish king who founded the kingdom of Tír Conaill in the 5th century, comprising much of what is now County Donegal. He was the son of Niall Noígiallach....

 , defeated the warriors of Ulaid

Ulaid

The Ulaid or Ulaidh were a people of early Ireland who gave their name to the modern province of Ulster...

, at Ballyshannon

Ballyshannon

Ballyshannon is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. It is located where the N3 and N15 cross the River Erne, and claims to be the oldest town in Ireland.-Location:...

 and Barnesmore

Barnesmore Gap

Barnesmore Gap is a mountain pass or gap situated in the Bluestack Mountains, County Donegal, Ireland. The main Donegal to Ballybofey road, the N15, and former County Donegal Railway run through Barnesmore gap, acting as the main route between south and north Donegal. The name in Irish literally...

. Conall's army chased the fleeing Ulstermen through Goll (Rosguill), Crích Chloinne Rosa, Crích Ua nDuach, Caim-Fhersaid Mhór, to the shores of Lough Foyle

Lough Foyle

Lough Foyle, sometimes Loch Foyle , is the estuary of the River Foyle in Ulster. It starts where the Foyle leaves Derry. It separates the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland from County Londonderry in Northern Ireland.-Transport:...

. Conalll Gulban and his brother Eógan, became the ancestors of the Kings of Tír Conaill (Tyrconnell) and Tír Eógain (Tyrone) respectively.

Colm Cille

In common with many other areas of Donegal and Ulster, Rosguill has its share of legends relating to St. Colm Cille

Columba

Saint Columba —also known as Colum Cille , Colm Cille , Calum Cille and Kolban or Kolbjørn —was a Gaelic Irish missionary monk who propagated Christianity among the Picts during the Early Medieval Period...

. Colm Cille was a nobleman born at Gartan

Gartan

Gartan is a parish in County Donegal, Ireland. It is best known for being the birthplace of Saint Colmcille or Columba, one of the three patron saints of Ireland and one of the most revered saints in the Christian world. Here he founded a monastery in 521...

, a great-grandson of Conall Gulban, he took holy orders and began proselytising throughout Ireland. Prior to his exile in Dál Riata

Dál Riata

Dál Riata was a Gaelic overkingdom on the western coast of Scotland with some territory on the northeast coast of Ireland...

 and the Kingdom of the Picts, Colm Cille founded monasteries at Derry

Derry

Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...

 and Kells

Abbey of Kells

The Abbey of Kells is a former monastery located in Kells, County Meath, Ireland, 40 miles north of Dublin. It was founded in the early ninth century, and the Book of Kells was kept there during the later medieval and early modern periods before finally leaving the Abbey in the 1650s...

, and is accredited with the founding of many more smaller establishments. Of these the Old church at Mevagh, in Clontallagh townland is said to one. Colm Cille also is said to have erected the High cross

High cross

A high cross or standing cross is a free-standing Christian cross made of stone and often richly decorated. There was a unique Early Medieval tradition in Ireland and Britain of raising large sculpted stone crosses, usually outdoors...

 in the churchyard, on which allegedly he left the track of his fingers in the stone. Furthermore he spread curses and blessings on various townlands in the parish in equal measure to the hospitality he received: Dundoan Upper was cursed to always have a fool amongst its community, after they mocked him, whereas he prophesied that no-one from Dooey or Island Roy would ever drown. His supposed footprints are to be found on a rock in Downings.

1800s

The crop rotation in use in Rosguill at the start of the 19th century was: 1. Potatoes 2. Barley

Barley

Barley is a major cereal grain, a member of the grass family. It serves as a major animal fodder, as a base malt for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods...

 3. Oats 4. Flax

Flax

Flax is a member of the genus Linum in the family Linaceae. It is native to the region extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India and was probably first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent...

 5. Oats

OATS

OATS - Open Source Assistive Technology Software - is a source code repository or "forge" for assistive technology software. It was launched in 2006 with the goal to provide a one-stop “shop” for end users, clinicians and open-source developers to promote and develop open source assistive...

"MEVAGH, or MOYVAGH, a parish, in the barony of KILMACRENAN, county of DONEGAL, and province of ULSTER, 14 miles (N. by W.) from Letterkenny; containing 4794 inhabitants. This parish comprises, according to the Ordnance survey, 21,026 statute acres, of which 382 are water, and 18,393 are applotted under the tithe act; the greater part of the land is poor, a small portion only being considered very good. There is a great quantity of bog and waste land; the latter consists of large tracts of sand thrown up by the sea. Lead has been discovered but is not at present worked. It is situated on Mulroy bay, and within its limits is the peninsula of Rossgul, bounded on the west by Sheephaven, on the north by the ocean, and on the east by the arm of the sea called Mulroy: in the centre this peninsula rises into great elevations, and near the shore presents a stunted verdure. The harbour of Mulroy, by the line of coast, is 5 miles (8 km) to the west of Lough Swilly; it has water sufficient for the largest ships, and is well sheltered, but part of the channel is narrow and difficult. On the 14th of every month a fair is held in Glen; and petty sessions are held on alternate Saturdays. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Raphoe, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £375; the glebe, about two miles (3 km) from the church, comprises 184 statute acres, valued at £30 per ann., of which 25 acres are arable, and the remainder rocky pasture and mountain, with the exception of 2 consisting of streets and commons. The church is in good repair; it was built about 160 years since. The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church: the chapel is a good slated building. About 230 children are educated in four public schools, of which the parochial school is aided by an annual donation from Colonel Robertson's Fund

Colonel Robertson's Fund

Colonel Robertson was the son of a clergyman of Donegal Town, County Donegal, Ireland. Colonel Robertson's made a substantial contribution to education in Donegal, in that, his legacy to the Diocese of Raphoe contributed to the transition between the outdoor Hedge school and the indoor-based...

; and in three private schools are about 130 children: there are also three Sunday schools. At the time of Pynnar's survey, a strong bawn

Bawn

A bawn is the defensive wall surrounding an Irish tower house. It is the anglicised version of the Irish word badhún meaning "cattle-stronghold" or "cattle-enclosure". The Irish word for "cow" is bó and its plural is ba...

 of lime and stone, sixty feet square, with flankers, stood here; and there were 23 British families, capable of mustering forty-two fighting men."

from 'A Topographical Dictionary Of Ireland', by Samuel Lewis, 1837

Pynnar's survey was carried out in 1618 by Captain Nicolas Pynnar to verify that the conditions agreed to by the planters of the James I of England

James I of England

James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...

 Plantation of Ulster

Plantation of Ulster

The Plantation of Ulster was the organised colonisation of Ulster—a province of Ireland—by people from Great Britain. Private plantation by wealthy landowners began in 1606, while official plantation controlled by King James I of England and VI of Scotland began in 1609...

 were being carried out.

Today

There is a wealth of activities available locally: Angling, Hiking, Golf and Watersports. One of the most eastern of all Gaeltacht

Gaeltacht

is the Irish language word meaning an Irish-speaking region. In Ireland, the Gaeltacht, or an Ghaeltacht, refers individually to any, or collectively to all, of the districts where the government recognises that the Irish language is the predominant language, that is, the vernacular spoken at home...

aí, the area has a vibrant cultural tradition, with many artists and musicians residing in the area

Rosguill has been victim to some extent to, the short sighted planning of the 1990s, and to the almost absence of applied legislation previously and, like a great deal of the west coast of the country, has suffered from unchecked ribbon development. However, one can easily escape this, except in the main settlements, to find an Ireland of centuries past.

Downings

Downings

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

 Harbour in Sheephaven Bay is fast becoming a world class big game fishing destination. Each autumn, sport fishing charter boats use Downings

Downings

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

 as the launching point for giant bluefin tuna fishing charters. See http://www.rosguill.com/fishing for additional information.

Townlands

The western side of the Rosguill peninsula and its townlands are known colloquially as "The Bottom" and the eastern side is known as "The Far side". The townlands on the mainland are known as "The Upper Part".

The peninsula of Rosguill consists of nineteen 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...

s:

• Melmore
• Gortnalughoge
• Dundoan lower
• Dundoan upper
• Glenoory
• Dooey
• Glebe
• Clontallagh
• Ardbane

• Derryhassen
• Downings
  Downings
  Na Dúnaibh is a Gaeltacht townland and village on the Rosguill peninsula in County Donegal, Ireland.-Name:...
  
  
• Crocknamurleog
• Larganreagh
• Magerabeg
• Kinnelargy
• Rosapenna
• Island Roy
• Ballyoghagan

There are a further thirty one townlands in the parish of Rosguill (Mevagh):

• Finner
• Magheramagowrgan
• Umlagh
• Carrigart
  Carrigart
  Carraig Airt is a small Gaeltacht village in the Barony of Kilmacrenan to the north of County Donegal, Republic of Ireland.The village is on the R245 route between Letterkenny and Creeslough...
  
  
• Tirlaughan
• Gortnabrade
• Rawros
• Aughalatty
• Carrick
• Devlinreagh
• Devlinmore
• Tullagh
• Meenacross
• Drumfin
• Glenkeo
• Downings Barr

• Dunmore
• Kill
• Carnagore
• Glenree
• Aughadahor
• Creevy
• Drumlackagh
• Drumdutton
• Glenmenagh
• Glengillagrana High
• High Glen
• Meenformla
• Meenlaragh
• Glenereragh
• Toragh
• Glenineeny

Notable natives

• Most Reverend Philip Boyce
  Philip Boyce
  The Most Reverend Dr. Philip Boyce , D.D., O.C.D., is the Catholic Lord Bishop of Raphoe. He presides over the Diocese of Raphoe in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland.- Early life :...
  
   - present Bishop of Raphoe
  Bishop of Raphoe
  The Bishop of Raphoe is an episcopal title which takes its name after the town of Raphoe in County Donegal, Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with another bishopric.-History:...
  
  
• The Most Reverend Dr. Daniel McGettigan - former Lord Archbishop of Armagh