MOUNTCHARLES ~ Population approximately 450
Moin Séarlais or earlier, Tamhanach an tSalainn (Meaning Salt Hill)
Mountcharles is a village sitting between the towns of Donegal Town and Killybegs in the south of County Donegal.
Now called Mountcharles, it was previously called Tawnaghtallan meaning 'Field of Salt'. And even when the name was changed by the landlord, Charles Conyngham in the 17th century, the Irish for it was Tamhnach an tSalainn meaning 'salt hill' and refers to the salt works run by the Conynghams which gave work to locals. Many of the buildings in the village date back to that time with the oldest probably being 'The Olde Market House' which was built in 1676 (see photograph below). Charles Conyngham is a direct ancestor of Henry Mountcharles famous for running a huge festival from his castle grounds in Slane, County Meath every year.
Mountcharles is the birthplace of the Irish author and poet, Seumas MacManus (1869~1960), who wrote of Donegal "Under the ocean, off the coast of Donegal, lies a fairy paradise, Tir na'n Og, the Land of Perpetual Youth, which, on beautiful summer eves, is often seen by our fishermen, rising over the waters, afar off. It is a special province of heaven set apart by the good Lord for His favorites, the Irish ...".
Click on any of the photographs below to enlarge.
Now called Mountcharles, it was previously called Tawnaghtallan meaning 'Field of Salt'. And even when the name was changed by the landlord, Charles Conyngham in the 17th century, the Irish for it was Tamhnach an tSalainn meaning 'salt hill' and refers to the salt works run by the Conynghams which gave work to locals. Many of the buildings in the village date back to that time with the oldest probably being 'The Olde Market House' which was built in 1676 (see photograph below). Charles Conyngham is a direct ancestor of Henry Mountcharles famous for running a huge festival from his castle grounds in Slane, County Meath every year.
Mountcharles is the birthplace of the Irish author and poet, Seumas MacManus (1869~1960), who wrote of Donegal "Under the ocean, off the coast of Donegal, lies a fairy paradise, Tir na'n Og, the Land of Perpetual Youth, which, on beautiful summer eves, is often seen by our fishermen, rising over the waters, afar off. It is a special province of heaven set apart by the good Lord for His favorites, the Irish ...".
Click on any of the photographs below to enlarge.
Mountcharles Pier and Views
Mountcharles Pier
At the bottom of the hill in the village is a beautiful walk along the shoreline with views over the bay. There are two sandy beaches, one at the start of the walk and the other beside the pier. On the pier there are three beautiful sandstone benches made locally at McGonagle Stone.
The views from the pier are stunning with Barnesmore Gap one side and Benbulben mountain in County Sligo to the right.
Click on any of the photographs below to enlarge.
The views from the pier are stunning with Barnesmore Gap one side and Benbulben mountain in County Sligo to the right.
Click on any of the photographs below to enlarge.
