List of national monuments in County Donegal facts for kids

Have you ever wondered about really old and important places in Ireland? In County Donegal, there are many special sites and buildings that the Irish government has officially named "National Monuments." This means they are super important to Ireland's history and culture.

When a place is called a National Monument, it gets special protection from the government. This helps make sure these amazing historical sites are kept safe for everyone to learn from and enjoy, both now and in the future. Sometimes, even the land around the monument is protected to keep it safe.

Amazing National Monuments in County Donegal

Glencolumbkille Church and Holy Well

The old church at Glencolumbkille.

In Beefan, you'll find the ancient Glencolumbkille Church and a special Holy Well. This site is very old and has been a place of worship for a long time. It's connected to Saint Columba, one of Ireland's most famous saints. People used to visit the Holy Well for its healing powers.

Grianan of Aileach

The impressive stone fort of Grianan of Aileach.

High up on a hill, overlooking beautiful views, is the Grianan of Aileach. This is a huge, circular stone fort, also known as a cashel. It was built a very long time ago, possibly around 500 BC! It was once the royal seat of the Northern Uí Néill kings. Imagine kings and queens living here, looking out over their lands! It's located near Carrowreagh, Speenogue, and Toulett.

Glencolumbkille Cashel

A view of the Glencolumbkille Cashel.

Another interesting spot in Cashel is the Glencolumbkille Cashel. This site was used as a "penitential station." This means it was a place where people would go for religious reflection and prayer, often as a way to show their devotion. It's part of a larger historical area in Glencolumbkille.

Doe Castle

Doe Castle, surrounded by water.

Near Creeslough, you can see the impressive Doe Castle. This castle is famous for being almost completely surrounded by water, making it very hard for enemies to attack. It was built in the 16th century and was home to the MacSweeney clan. It's one of the best-preserved castles in Donegal and looks like something out of a fairytale!

Carndonagh Cross

The ancient Carndonagh Cross.

In Churchland Quarter, near Carndonagh, stands the ancient Carndonagh Cross. This is a very old stone cross, known as a high cross, with carvings that tell stories from the Bible. It's a fantastic example of early Christian art in Ireland and shows how important faith was to people long ago.

Clonca Church and Cross

The old church and high cross at Clonca.

At Clonca, you'll find the ruins of Clonca Church, along with another beautiful High Cross and an old grave slab. This site gives us a glimpse into medieval times, showing how people lived and worshipped. The carvings on the cross are very detailed and tell us about the art and beliefs of the time.

Donegal Castle

Donegal Castle, a restored tower house.

Right in the town of Donegal, stands Donegal Castle. This castle was built by the O'Donnell clan, who were powerful rulers in Donegal. It's a tower house that has been beautifully restored, so you can really imagine what it was like to live there centuries ago. It's a great place to learn about the history of the O'Donnells.

Donegal Abbey

The ruins of Donegal Abbey.

Also in Glebe, near Donegal town, are the ruins of Donegal Abbey. This was a Franciscan friary, a type of monastery, founded in the 15th century. Monks lived here, prayed, and studied. Even though it's now in ruins, you can still see how grand it once was and imagine the peaceful life of the friars.

Inishkeel Island

Church ruins on Inishkeel Island.

Off the coast, Inishkeel Island is home to an Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Site. This means it was an important religious center during the early Middle Ages. It's a quiet, remote place that would have been perfect for monks seeking peace and solitude. The ruins of old churches can still be seen there.

Malin Beg (Glencolumbkille)

The old church at Malin Beg.

In Malin Beg, part of the Glencolumbkille area, there's an old church and a ringfort. A ringfort is a circular area surrounded by an earth bank and ditch, used as a home and protection in ancient times. This site shows how people lived and worshipped in the same area long ago.

Malin More (Glencolumbkille)

A megalithic tomb at Malin More.

Also in the Glencolumbkille region, at Malin More, you can find amazing Megalithic Tombs. These are very old burial sites made from huge stones, built by people thousands of years ago, even before the pyramids! They are a fascinating look into prehistoric times and how ancient people honored their dead.

Newmills Corn and Flax Mills

The historic Newmills Corn and Flax Mills.

At Milltown, the Newmills Corn and Flax Mills are a unique historical site. This is a complex of old mills that used water power to grind corn into flour and process flax for linen. It shows how important these industries were in the past and how clever people were at using natural resources.

Pluck Standing Stone

At Pluck, there is a Pluck Standing Stone. A standing stone is a single, large stone placed upright in the ground by ancient people. We don't always know why they were put there, but they might have been for marking territory, religious reasons, or even as ancient calendars.

Ray Church and Cross

The ruins of Ray Church with its cross.

In Ray, you'll find the ruins of Ray Church and another old cross. This site is another example of an early Christian settlement. These places often served as centers for the local community, not just for worship but also for learning and gathering.

Beltany Stone Circle

The ancient Beltany Stone Circle.

Near Raphoe, the Beltany is a fantastic stone circle with a standing stone. Stone circles are ancient monuments made of many upright stones arranged in a circle. They were often used for ceremonies or to mark important astronomical events, like the sun's position at different times of the year. It's a truly mysterious and impressive place!

Tory Island Ecclesiastical Site

The rugged cliffs of Tory Island.

Tory Island is a remote island off the coast of Donegal. It's home to an Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Site, meaning it was an important religious center in the early Middle Ages. The island has a unique history and culture, and these ancient ruins are a key part of its story.

O'Doherty's Keep (Buncrana)

O'Doherty's Keep in Buncrana.

In Tullyarvan, near Buncrana, stands O'Doherty's Keep. This is a castle tower that was once part of a larger fortress. It was built by the O'Doherty clan, another powerful family in Donegal's history. It reminds us of the many battles and changes that happened in Ireland long ago.

Sources

• National Monuments in County Donegal