The Rosses

File:Angaoth.jpg

An Ghaoth which seperates Gweedore to the left and the Rosses to the right, with Mount Errigal in the background.

The Rosses (Irish: Na Rosann) is a geographical and social region in County Donegal, Ireland. Defined by physical boundaries in the form of rivers, as well as history and language use, the area has a distinctive identity, separate to the rest of Donegal. A large part of the Rosses is in the Gaeltacht, which means that Irish is the spoken language, although it is regarded as being in decline in the area.

Culture

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. Irish is still used extensively in some areas including parts of the island of Arranmore, the townland of Ranafast and to a lesser extent, 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.

The local people are said to have a preference for soccer over gaelic football, which is less often the case in many other rural areas. The area does field a number of football teams, both in soccer and gaelic football. Keadue Rovers from the lower Rosses have traditionally been the area's strongest soccer team, whereas Naoimh Mhúire have been the strongest in gaelic football.

There are very deep 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.

Geography

Loughanure, one of the lakes of the Rosses

The area is bounded by the Gweebarra River to the south, the Gweedore 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.

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 Columcille, founder of the monastic settlement at Iona, and was the centre of the parish of Templecrone.

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. The is very little manufacturing industry in The Rosses apart from a few companies located in the areas main town of Dungloe.

Tourism

The area claims a large proportion of Donegal's tourist income, due to its beautiful scenery and its many festivals, including the Mary From Dungloe International Festival. There is a very strong tradition of marching bands emanating from the region; the area boasts many All-Ireland championship bands in all grades and disciplines. The scenic road from Maghery back around to Dungloe again is a must for any discerning panoramic vista enthusiast.

Notable people from the Rosses

• Packie Bonner, former goalkeeper
• Daniel O'Donnell, singer
• Peadar O'Donnell, socialist and author
• Pat "the Cope" Gallagher, TD
• Seosamh Mac Grianna, author
• Margo, singer
• Séamus Ó Grianna, author
• Skara Brae, musicians

Townlands in the Rosses

• Annagry (Anagaire)
• Burtonport (Ailt an Chorráin)
• Carrickfinn (Carraig Fhinne or Carraig Fhinn)
• Doochary (An Dúcharaidh)
• Dungloe (An Clochán Liath)
• Keadue (Céideadh)
• Kincasslagh (Cionn Caslach)
• Lettermacaward (Leitir Mac a' Bhaird)
• Loughanure (Loch an Iúir)
• Mullaghduff (Mullach Dubh)
• Ranafast (Rann na Feirste)

Islands

• Arranmore (Árainn Mhór)
• Cruit (An Chruit)
• Iniscaoragh (Inis Caorach)
• Inisfree (Inis Fraoigh)
• Owey Island (Oileán Í)