Greencastle, Donegal is a commercial fishing port in County Donegal in the northwest of Ireland. It is located a few miles from Moville and is about 20 miles from Derry. It is likely the Greencastle name comes from the castle/fort in the area, which in turn, may have its name from the green freestone with which it was built.
The first proper pier was built in 18133 and has been added to several times since. Today, as well as being a tie up for trawlers and salmon boats and the home of the Greencastle Fishermen's Co-Op, the pier also has a very different 'catch'. Visitors disembark from the Magilligan-Greencastle ferry which was inaugurated in 20024. The official website advertises the fact that this saves 78km (or 49 miles) of driving, which would be through Derry. The Lough Foyle Ferry Company has also recently (2004) begun a Lough Swilly ferry service that runs between Buncrana and Rathmullan seasonally. The pier also contains a newly built pilot office to replace the decomissioned pilot office at Carrickarory Pier.
The fort at Greencastle has been linked [1] with the fort in the background of the Derry crest [2]. According to Beattie1 the fort is known as the de Burgo castle, which was built in 1305 to provide a base for Norman power in the North West. This building was named "Northburg" 2 and was actually built on the site of a much older fortress.
The National Fisheries College (NFC) is located also located in Greencastle. The NFC recently completed a €1.1 million extension funded under the INTERREG 11 Initiative, thus providing better facilities including a realistic simulator bridge deck.
Further Reading
- 13 (Ireland in Old Photographs series)
External Links
- See also: List of towns in the Republic of Ireland
Last updated: 05-29-2005 00:27:04
