View source for The Rosses

{{Short description|Region of western County Donegal, Ireland}}
{{Use Irish English|date=October 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Na Rosa
| native_name        = <small>''The Rosses''</small>
| native_name_lang   = ga
| image_skyline          = Arranmore, Co. Donegal (Aerial 2007).jpg
| image_caption          = Aerial view of the northwest of the Rosses
| image_map          = Rosses Zoom Map.svg
|subdivision_type        = Country
|subdivision_name        = Ireland
|subdivision_type1       = [[Provinces of Ireland|Province]]
|subdivision_name1       = [[Ulster]]
|subdivision_type2       = [[Counties of Ireland|County]]
|subdivision_name2       = [[County Donegal]]
|subdivision_type3       = [[Barony (Ireland)|Barony]]
|subdivision_name3       = [[Boylagh]]
| leader_title = [[Local government in the Republic of Ireland|Local authority]]
| leader_name = [[Donegal County Council|Donegal CC]]
| leader_title2 = <small>[[Donegal County Council#Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts|Local electoral area]]</small>
| leader_name2 = <small>[[Glenties]]</small>
| leader_title3 = [[Dáil constituency]]
| leader_name3 = [[Donegal (Dáil constituency)|Donegal]]
| leader_title4 = [[European Parliament constituencies in the Republic of Ireland|EP constituency]]
| leader_name4 = [[Midlands–North-West (European Parliament constituency)|Midlands–North-West]]
| seat_type = Principal settlement
| seat = [[Dungloe]]
| coordinates        = 54.96792, -8.34724
| area_total_km2     = 314
| timezone = [[Western European Time|WET]]
| utc_offset = ±0
| timezone_DST = [[Irish Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset_DST = +1
| area_code_type = [[Telephone numbers in the Republic of Ireland|Telephone area codes]]
| area_code = 074
| postal_code_type = [[Eircode]] routing keys
| postal_code = F94 <small>(primarily)</small>
}}
'''The Rosses''' (officially known by its [[Irish language]] name, ''Na Rosa'';<ref>[http://www.commissioner.ie/downloads/An_tOrdu_Logainmneacha_(Ceantair_Ghaeltachta)_2004.pdf Placenames (Ceantair Ghaeltachta) Order 2004]</ref> in the genitive case ''Na Rosann'') is a traditional 'district' in the west of [[County Donegal]] in [[Ulster]], the northern [[Provinces of Ireland|province]] in Ireland. The Rosses has a population of over 7,000 centred on the town of [[Dungloe]], which acts as the educational, shopping and civic centre for the area. Defined by physical boundaries in the form of rivers, as well as history and language use, the area has a distinctive identity, separate from the rest of County Donegal. The extensive district lies between the parish and district of [[Gweedore]] to the north and the town of [[Glenties]] to the south. A large part of the Rosses is in the ''[[Gaeltacht]]'', which means that [[Irish language|Irish]] is the spoken language. The Rosses, [[Cloughaneely]] and [[Gweedore]], known locally as "''the three parishes''", with 16,000 Irish speakers, together form a social and cultural region different from the rest of the county, with Gweedore serving as the main centre for socialising and industry.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/cloughaneely_1_1986720 |title=Cloughaneely|publisher=Donegal Democrat |access-date=2011-05-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311094706/http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/cloughaneely_1_1986720 |archive-date=11 March 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.letterkennypost.com/2007/05/page/2/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724124359/http://www.letterkennypost.com/2007/05/page/2/|title=Letterkenny Post » 2007 » May|archive-date=24 July 2011|work=www.letterkennypost.com|access-date=12 March 2020}}</ref> [[Gaeltacht an Láir]] is another Irish-speaking area.

==Irish language==
The following is a list of electoral divisions in the area with the percentage that speak Irish:

# [[An Clochán Liath]] (1,785) (15%)
# [[Anagaire]] (2,138) (55%)
# [[Arranmore|Arainn Mhor]] (529) (62%)
# [[Rutland Island, County Donegal|Inis Mhic an Doirn]] (1,410) (9%)
# [[Doochary|An Duchoraidh]] (78) (34%)
# [[Lettermacaward|Leitir Mhic an Bhaird]] (650) (19%)
# An Machaire (615) (15%)
# [[Cro Bheithe]] (170) (60%)

==Culture==
[[File:Muladhdearg oct 08.jpg|360px|thumb|Mullaghderg Beach, the Rosses]]
Once a predominantly [[Irish language|Irish]]-speaking area, over recent generations English has become increasingly common. Irish is still used extensively in some areas including parts of the island of [[Arranmore]], the townland of [[Ranafast]] and 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 predominant.

The area fields a number of sports teams, both in soccer and Gaelic football. [[Keadue Rovers F.C.|Keadue Rovers]] from the lower Rosses have traditionally been the area's strongest soccer team, and there are also teams in [[Arranmore]] (Arranmore United F.C.) and in Maghery (Strand Rovers F.C.). [[C.L.G. An Clochán Liath|An Clochán Liath]] have traditionally been the strongest in Gaelic football, winning seven County Championships between 1930 and 1958. There are also teams in Mullaghderg ([[CLG Naomh Muire|Naomh Muire]]), and in [[Lettermacaward]] ([[CLG Na Rossa|Na Rossa]]).

There is a strong tradition of songwriting in the area, Seán McBride (1906–1996) from [[Cruit Island]] wrote the popular song "[[The Homes of Donegal]]".

There are connections between the people of the Rosses and [[Scotland]], Glasgow in particular, due to the economic need for emigration in the past and the strong ties forged over the generations as a result. Many people from the Rosses, in common with people from other parts of County Donegal, have also settled in the [[Derry|City of Derry]], especially since the late 1840s.
[[File:Preparing to land at Donegal Carrickfin Airport - geograph.org.uk - 1159707.jpg|240px|thumb|An aerial view of Carrickfin and Ranafast, with [[Errigal]] in the background]]

==Geography==
The area is bounded by the [[River Gweebarra]] to the south, the Gweedore River (known locally as the Crolly River) to the north, the [[Derryveagh Mountains]] and the Gweebarra River (Doochary Bridge) to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The name comes from "Ros", the Irish word for headland. The area presents a rocky barren landscape, studded with a myriad of lakes and inlets of the sea. Lakes include [[Lough Anure]], [[Lough Craghy]], [[Dunglow Lough]] and [[Lough Meela]].
[[File:Mullach Dearg.jpg|240px|thumb|Mullaghderg beach]]
[[File:Donegal Carrickfin Airport - Terminal entrance - geograph.org.uk - 1174804.jpg|240px|thumb|Donegal International Airport]]

==Transport==
The Rosses boasts Donegal's only airport at Carrickfinn. Various coach companies serve the area.

==History==
The Rosses has been inhabited since time immemorial, and the ancient church of St Crona in Termon near Dungloe has been dated to the 6th century AD. It was the site of a monastery founded by St. Crona, a cousin of the Royal Saint called [[Columcille]], founder of the monastic settlement at [[Iona]], and was the centre of the parish of Templecrone.
[[File:Mouth of the Gweebarra Estuary - geograph.org.uk - 126269.jpg|240px|thumb|Sand dunes near [[Leitir]]]]
In the 16th century, a number of ships from the [[Spanish Armada]] sank off or landed off its coast.

==Economy==
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. There is very little manufacturing industry in the Rosses apart from a few companies located in [[Dungloe]].
[[File:Thecopedungloe.JPG|240px|thumb|[[The Cope]] is a cooperative indigenous to the area, with two major stores in Dungloe (one of which is pictured) and several others around other parts of the Rosses.]]

==Tourism==
The area claims a large proportion of Donegal's tourist income, due to its renowned scenery<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.donegalgameanglers.com/home/index.php?id=73|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710143842/http://www.donegalgameanglers.com/home/index.php?id=73|title=GameAnglers: THE ROSSES FISHERY|date=10 July 2011|archive-date=10 July 2011|work=www.donegalgameanglers.com|access-date=12 March 2020}}</ref> and its many festivals, including the [[Mary from Dungloe (festival)|Mary From Dungloe International Festival]]. There is a very strong tradition of [[marching band]]s emanating from the region; the area boasts many All-Ireland championship bands in all grades and disciplines.<ref>[http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/DN/free/305192561911347.php]{{dead link|date=March 2020|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.burtonport.net/Page3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318091959/http://www.burtonport.net/Page3.html|title=West Donegal in bygone times.|archive-date=18 March 2011|work=Burtonport|access-date=12 March 2020}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Declan Bonner]], member of 1992 All-Ireland winning [[Donegal GAA|Donegal]] team
* [[Packie Bonner]], former Ireland and [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] goalkeeper
* [[Tony Boyle (Gaelic footballer)|Tony Boyle]], 1992 [[GAA GPA All Stars Awards|All Star]] and member of 1992 All-Ireland winning [[Donegal GAA|Donegal]] team
* [[Joseph Duffy (fighter)|Joseph Duffy]], [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]] [[mixed martial arts|mixed martial artist]]
* [[Pat "the Cope" Gallagher]], former TD and former MEP
* [[Adrian Hanlon]], member of 2012 All-Ireland winning [[Donegal GAA|Donegal]] panel
* [[Seosamh Mac Grianna]], author
* [[Carl McHugh]], footballer for [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]]
* [[Niall Ó Dónaill]], lexicographer
* [[Daniel O'Donnell (Irish singer)|Daniel O'Donnell]], singer
* [[Margo (music)|Margo]], singer
* [[Peadar O'Donnell]], socialist and author
* [[Séamus Ó Grianna]], author
* [[Adrian Sweeney]], 2003 [[GAA GPA All Stars Awards|All Star]] footballer
* [[Joseph Sweeney (Irish politician)|Joseph Sweeney]], 1916 rising veteran, Irish Revolutionary, Military Commander, former TD

===Bands===
* [[Goats Don't Shave]], folk band
* [[Skara Brae (music)|Skara Brae]], folk band

==Townlands==
* Acres
* [[Annagry]] (''Anagaire'')
* Arlands
* Belcruit
* Braade (''An Bhráid'')
* [[Burtonport]] (''Ailt an Chorráin'')
* Carrickfinn (''Carraig Fhinne'' '''or''' ''Carraig Fhinn'')
* Cloughlass
* Crickamore
* [[Crolly]] (''Croithlí'')(half of which is situated in Gweedore)
* Derrynamansher (''Doire na Mainséar'')
* [[Doochary]] (''An Dúchoraidh'')
* Drumnacart Mountain Pasture
* [[Dungloe]] (''An Clochán Liath'')
* [[Keadue, County Donegal|Keadue]] (''Céideadh'')
* Kerrytown
* [[Kincasslagh]] (''Cionn Caslach'')
* Lackenagh
* [[Lettermacaward]]/Leitir (''Leitir Mhic an Bhaird'')
* [[Loughanure]] (''Loch an Iúir'')
* Maghery (''An Mhachaire'')
* Meenagowan (''Min A Ghabhann'')
* Meenaleck
* Meenbanad
* [[Mullaghduff, County Donegal|Mullaghduff]] (''Mullach Dubh'')
* [[Ranafast]] (''Rann na Feirste'')
* Roshine
* Tullyillion

==Islands==
* [[Arranmore]] (''Árainn Mhór'')
* [[Cruit Island|Cruit]] (''An Chruit'')
* [[Eighter Island|Eighter]] (''An tÍochtar'')
* Inishal (''Inis Saille'')
* Inishcoo (''Inis Cú'')
* [[Inishfree]] (''Inis Fraoigh'')
* Inishkeeragh (''Inis Caorach'')
* [[Owey Island|Owey]] (''Oileán Uaighe'')
* [[Rutland Island, County Donegal|Rutland]] (''Inis Mhic an Doirn'')

==See also==
County Donegal
* [[Gweedore|Gaoth Dobhair]]
* [[Cloughaneely|Cloch Cheann Fhaola]]
* [[Gaeltacht an Láir]]
County Galway
* [[Galway City Gaeltacht]]
* [[Gaeltacht Cois Fharraige]]
* [[Conamara Theas]]
* [[Aran Islands]]
* [[Joyce Country]]
County Kerry
* [[Gaeltacht Corca Dhuibhne]]
County Mayo
* [[Gaeltacht Iorrais agus Acaill]]

County Londonderry
* [[Maghera|Carn Tóchair]]

County Antrim
* [[Gaeltacht Quarter, Belfast|An Cheathrú Gaeltachta, Béal Feirste]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140912104226/http://www.ahg.gov.ie/ie/Straiteis20BliaindonGhaeilge/Foilseachain/Staid%C3%A9ar%20Cuimsitheach%20Teangeola%C3%ADoch%20ar%20%C3%9As%C3%A1id%20na%20Gaeilge%20sa%20Ghaeltacht%20%28achoimre%29.pdf Gaeltacht Irish language use 2007]

{{Gaeltacht}}
{{County Donegal}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|54|59|04|N|8|24|33|W|region:IE_type:city_source:kolossus-nlwiki|display=title}}

[[Category:The Rosses| ]]
[[Category:Gaeltacht places in County Donegal]]
[[Category:Geography of County Donegal]]