Inishowen

Geographical location

Inishowen ( Irish: Inis Eoghain ) is the largest peninsula in Ireland and is located in County Donegal. Is Malin Head, the most northerly point of Ireland at the tip of Inishowen. The coast of Inishowen offers with cliffs and beaches picturesque views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Inishowen is bounded on the north by the Atlantic Ocean, on the east by Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly to the west by; only in the south it borders with the rest of the county Donegal.

Most inhabitants live along the peninsula near the coast. The interior consists largely of rolling hills with the highest elevation, the Slieve Snaght, with just over 600 m. Due to the northern location, it is here in summer usually slightly cooler than in the rest of Ireland, but usually a bit warmer in the winter for it.

Some port types, for example, commercial fishing is still operated by Greencastle, Bunagee and Leenan from. A ferry runs during high season from Moville on Lough Foyle to Magilligan after (Northern Ireland, County Derry ), where a Martello Tower stands. Another connects Buncrana on Lough Swilly with Rathmullan on the peninsula of Fanad to the west. In place Fahan, there is a small marina.

Off the coast Inishowens are some small (Today) uninhabited islands, such as Inishtrahull and the Islands Glashedy. Inch Iceland is actually no longer an island, since it south of Fahan, owns a connection via a causeway to the land.

Legends

The name Inis Eoghain ( The Island of Eoghan ) comes from Eoghan, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages ( Niall Naoigeallach - a purported Irish High King ). His name is also found in the County Tyrone ( Irish: Tír Eoghain ). Inis Eoghain is the homeland of the clan of Mac Lochlainn (descendants of the tribe of Eoghan ), a clan that grew so remarkable that he was attacked by the king of Limerick. The king came to Aileach, ordered its destruction and ordered that every soldier take with a stone of the fort, so it could not be rebuilt. After the fall of the Mac Lochlainn clan Ó Dochartaigh clan ( of his original homeland in the Laggan area of ​​Tír Conaill - lost ) took over the domination of Inishowen.

In Inishowen there are many historical monuments that date back to the earliest settlement, such as the famous ring fort Grianan of Aileach and the ruins of several castles. The well-known castle ruins on the island include Carrickabraghey Doagh, the Norman castle in Greencastle, Inch Castle, Buncrana Castle and Elagh Castle.

Historically comprised Inishowen and the area east of the River Foyle ( County Derry - Northern Ireland) with the City of Derry.

Colonization and politics

At the census in 2002 there were 31,828 people in Inishowen, representing an increase of 8.4% over 1996. Inishowen is part of the constituency of Donegal North Eath, who selects three Teachta Dala. At county level forms Inishowen own constituency.

Inis Eoghain 100

Inis Eoghain 100 is the designation of a route that leads over 100 miles ( 160 km ) near the coast around the peninsula; it is listed in many guidebooks. The route begins and ends in the village of Burnfoot in the south of the peninsula. The track is very worth seeing, but ( as so often in Ireland) often signposted more bad than good and contains several very narrow streets, secluded corners and adventurous climbs and descents.