Downings

Downings or Downies (Irish: Na Dúnaibh)[1][2][3] is a Gaeltacht village and townland on the Rosguill peninsula in County Donegal, Ireland.

Downings

Na Dúnaibh
Village
Downings
Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 55°11′40″N 7°50′11″W
CountryIreland
ProvinceUlster
CountyCounty Donegal
Time zoneUTC+0 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-1 (IST (WEST))
Irish Grid ReferenceB847228

Name

As the village is in a Gaeltacht district, its official name is the Irish Na Dúnaibh. The name is ambiguous and could refer to the wealth of hill forts in the area, or it could be a hibernicisation of the English name, to describe the sandy dunes connecting the peninsula to the mainland.

Economy
Fishermen on the pier at Downings, Co. Donegal. Around 1910

Downings used to be a significant fishing port with a substantial herring fleet. Today, however, the economy survives on tourism, and only three crab boats make a traditional living from the sea. Situated as it is in Sheephaven Bay, one of the safest anchorages on the northwest Irish coast, Downings has begun to cater for international game fishermen, the northwest of Ireland being on the migration route of bluefin tuna and other game species.[4]

History

In 2007 local divers recovered a gun from the wreck of HMS Laurentic at the mouth of Lough Swilly. The gun is now mounted beside Downings pier.[5][6]

Recreation

The dunes that link the Rosguill peninsula to the mainland are also home to the Rosapenna Links course designed by Old Tom Morris, and although the original hotel and clubhouse that was patronised by the likes of John Wayne and Errol Flynn burnt down in the sixties, the new buildings seek to emulate the charm of the originals.

Downings is the start and finish of the Atlantic Drive, one of the most dramatic scenic routes in Ireland.

People

See also

References
  1. Downings village. Placenames Database of Ireland. Retrieved: 2011-12-19.
  2. Downings townland. Placenames Database of Ireland. Retrieved: 2011-12-19.
  3. Placenames (Ceantair Ghaeltachta) Order 2004.
  4. IFI website
  5. McGlinchey, Don. "The Laurentic's golden allure". Scuba & Snorkel Diving Ireland. Irish Underwater Council. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  6. "Laurentic gun recovered off Malin Head". Inishowen News. 2 October 2007. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  7. "Maxi Curran takes up reins as U-21 manager". Donegal Democrat. 21 January 2012. Retrieved 21 January 2012. Curran from Downings and a member of Jim McGuinness’s senior management team, takes over from McGuinness who stepped down at the end of last season.
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