The Rosses
The Rosses/Irish:An Ros is a region in County Donegal
Villages
- Annagry/Anagaire, nearest village to Donegal international Airport.
- Crolly where the world famous Crolly Doll was manufactured.
- Kincasslagh, the home of Donegal crooner Daniel O'Donnell.
Other destinations
- 🌍 Gweedore /Gaoith Dóbhair
- 🌍 Arranmore Island /Oileán Arainn is the largest of the Donegal islands, serviced daily by ferry from Burtonport fishing village.
Understand
The area is bounded in the south by the Gweebarra River and the Gweedore River to the north. The eastern boundary is defined by the Derryveagh Mountains, where Glenveagh National Park is located to the east. The region's name itself comes from "Ros", which is the Irish word for headland.
The area presents a rocky barren landscape, studded with a myriad of lakes and inlets of the sea. It includes the towns and townlands of Dungloe, Kincasslagh, Doochary, Lettermacaward, Ranafast and Annagry, and the inhabited island of Arranmore Island. Other small islands are Inisfree, Iniscaoragh and Owey Island. Cruit Island is linked to the rest of the region by bridge and it boasts a nine-hole golf course.
Historically, The Rosses has relied heavily on hospitality, tourism and the fishing industry as the mainstays of its economy. The area has its own indigenous supermarket chain called The Cope which has been quite successful. The is very little manufacturing industry in The Rosses apart from a few companies located in the areas main town of Dungloe.
English is spoken equally as well by the native Irish speakers in this region, particularly if they know you are a visitor.
Talk
Once a predominantly Irish-speaking area, over recent generations the language has been taken over by English as the main language of every day use, although Irish is the first language in Gweedore. Irish is still used extensively in some areas, such as the island of Arranmore, in the Ranafast area and, to a lesser extent, around the village of Annagry. In some areas, like the hills around Dungloe, around Loughanure and in pockets of Doochary and Lettermacaward, the Irish language is still predominant among the older generation.
Get in
By plane
- 🌍
Donegal Airport (CFN IATA), Carrickfinn. Daily flights are provided by Aer Lingus to Donegal Airport, Carrickfin to and from Dublin and there are flights to and from Glasgow several times per week.
Get around
If you need to rent a car, which is the only way to get around The Rosses, try Avis Car hire from Donegal Airport, Carrickfin. Cycling is a great option too, as the roads are quiet most of the time, with little traffic, although a good mountain bike is recommended to cope with those steep hills.
See
- 🌍
Leo's Tavern. which displays memorabilia of Enya and her sibling's world-renowned band, Clannad on its walls. Gold discs are prominent and the pub is owned by Bartley Brennan, Enya's brother, having been handed on to him by Leo Brennan, their father, when he retired.
Itineraries
- Take a trip to Arranmore Island by ferry, which leaves hourly form Burtonport pier. It is advisable to go as a foot passenger as the island, while it accodateas cars, has very poor road surfaces and it is a nightmare to drive around. In any case, everywhere is accessible on foot without much effort.
Do
- Carrickfin Beach, traditionally known as Trá Bhán (White Strand) in Irish.
- Gweedore Beach.
- Errigal Mountain, Dunlewey.
- Ionad Cois Liath, an activity center in the Poisoned Glen, Dunlewey.
- Glenveagh National Park
Eat
- Bonner's Bar in Mulladuff, just outside Annagry and near the airport, serves food daily till 9pm.
- Danny Minnie's Restaurant, Annagry is a top class, award winning restaurant, known to many as serving the best food in the Rosses. Well worth a visit for a special evening meal.
- Leo's Tavern, Meenaleck. Good quality barfood served all day. Cheerful place and family friendly.
- The Rosses Bar (aka Neddie's), Mullaghduff serves great quality food served in the bar or in the separate restaurant area, family friendly. You will not be disappointed. Th-Su until 9PM.
Drink
- Bonner's Bar, Mulladuff - Live music.
- Casa an tSúgan, Lochanure - Live music.
- Leo's Tavern, Meenaleck. Good lively traditional music, sometimes performed by Leo Brennan himself.
- The Rosses Bar, Mulladuff - Lively atmosphere, when there actually are people in it.
- Sharkey's Bar, Annagry - Live music.
Sleep
- Caisleán Óir (aka Jack's), Annagry.
- Danny Minnie's Restaurant, Annagry.
- Ostán Gaoith Dóbhair/Hotel Gweedore, Bunbeg.
- Ostán Na Rossán/Rosses Hotel, Dungloe.
- Viking House Hotel, Kincasslagh - Formerly owned by Daniel O'Donnell.
- An Cúirt Hotel, Dunlewey.
Stay safe
The Rosses is an area of little crime and once you are sensible about your belongings, you will be fine. If you are walking or climbing alone, or fishing of the rocks close to the sea, let somebody know where you are going and when you expect to return. The is a mountain rescue team located in the area.
Go next
Trips to Letterkenny for shopping.