Coat of arms for County Donegal
A man making a traditional stone wall in Bloody Foreland, Co Donegal
Killybegs Harbour, Co Donegal
Glenveagh Castle in Glenveagh National Park lies in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains in the north-west of Co. Donegal.
Co. Donegal beats to its own bodhrán. With the second largest Gaeltacht in the country and producing numerous musicians, including Enya, Rory Gallagher, Altan and Clannad, the county is indisputably Irish. At the same time, its long economic and cultural ties to the city of Derry (Londonderry) and its huge borders with other Northern Irish counties have given it an unmistakable Ulster bent. But the fact remains that it really is different up there – Co. Donegal is a place like no other.
The most cliché Donegal word is “rugged”, but it’s difficult to describe the county any other way. Its vast mountains, including the northern Derryveagh range and the southern Bluestack Mountains, were immortalised in the traditional tune, “The Hills of Donegal”, while its sea coast, with the impressive Slieve League cliffs (among the highest sea cliffs in Europe) offers hillwalking with incredible views. The Inishowen Peninsula consists of a series of rocky coasts culminating in Banba’s Crown on Malin Head – the northernmost point on the island of Ireland.
The rash North Atlantic waters along the Donegal coast also present diving and surfing opportunities. Rossnowlagh was one of the first places to be surfed in Ireland and now houses the largest surf club in the country, while Bundoran is considered to be one of the best places to surf in Ireland. The Mevagh Dive Centre – the first purpose-built scuba centre in Donegal – offers year-round diving.
Beyond musicians, Co. Donegal has produced literary figures, such as playwright Frank McGuinness and philosopher John Toland. Moya Doherty, co-founder of Riverdance, was born in Pettigo, Co. Donegal.
Donegal mountain scenery
Bloody Foreland, Co. Donegal
Glenveagh Castle is a 19th century castellated mansion in Glenveagh National Park, Co. Donegal
Hi Michael
We are just adding Lafferty content now. The Lafferty tribe was also spelt Laverty, Laferty and Laherty. All from Donegal and Tyrone.
looking for lafferty coat of arms
Hi Dennis
We’re tracked down those county crests and will have them on the site by tomorrow.
Cheers
Stephen
Ireland101.com
Hi Dennis
Thanks for the email. Indeed our records of Irish family name origin show that the Quinn family came from counties including Donegal and Tynrone. The full list is here http://www.ireland101.com/quiz/viewtribe.php?t=quinn&x=0&y=0.
In terms of a crest for each county, yes they’re is a different crest for each county. And in fact we’re just checking them for you now and we’ll get back to you. Thanks, Stephen
Is there a different coat of arms / crest for each county. My family is either from the county of Donegal or Tyrone. Would you be able to guide to the right one before I commit to my tattoo.
I was first on Arranmore Island off the west coast of Donegal when I was there for 6 weeks in Irish college in school many years ago. Many memories of the people and the unbelieveable cliff views! The water is also so clear.
Killeybegs is such a lovely place at sunset, sping.