Downings


Downings or Downies is a Gaeltacht village and townland on the Rosguill peninsula in County Donegal, Ireland. The village is on the shores of Sheephaven Bay on the north coast of Ireland.

Name

As the village is in a Gaeltacht district, its official name is Na Dúnaibh, its name in the Irish language. The name probably means 'the forts', reflecting the existence of several hill forts in the area. The full original Irish name seems to have been na nDuini. The name may also be a hibernicisation of the English name, to describe the sandy dunes connecting the peninsula to the County Donegal mainland.

History

Evidence of ancient settlement in the area includes a number of ringfort and standing stone sites in the townlands of Larganreagh, Downies and Rosepenna.
In 2007, local divers recovered a gun from the wreck of HMS at the mouth of Lough Swilly. The gun is now mounted beside Downings Pier.

Economy

The fishing port at Downings was previously home to a substantial herring fleet. Today, the economy survives partly on tourism. Na Dúnaibh is home to the 'McNutt of Donegal' tweed factory and shop. It is also home to McBride Fishing who operate three crab fishing boats and the online fishing industry news platform The Fishing Daily. The Meevagh Boatyard, located on Mulroy Bay, was established in the early 1900s by the Congested District Board. It built fishing boats, for local fishermen, during the herring boom.
Situated on Sheephaven Bay, Downings is one of the safest anchorages on the north coast of Ireland, and is a must for an overnight stay for anyone sailing along the Donegal coast.

Recreation

The Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort, just outside Downings village, is located on the dunes that link the Rosguill peninsula to the mainland. The golf club's links course was initially designed by Old Tom Morris in the 1890s.
Downings lies on the Donegal Atlantic Drive tourist driving route.

People