Milford, County Donegal
Milford
Baile na nGallóglach | |
|---|---|
Town | |
Milford Location in Ireland | |
| Coordinates: 55°05′16″N 7°41′55″W / 55.087898°N 7.698498°W | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Ulster |
| County | County Donegal |
| Government | |
| • Dáil constituency | Donegal |
| Elevation | 68 m (223 ft) |
| Population | |
• Total | 1,076 |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-1 (IST (WEST)) |
| Area code | 075, +000 353 74 |
| Irish Grid Reference | C188267 |
Milford or Millford, historically called Ballynagalloglagh (from Irish Baile na nGallóglach),[2] is a small town and townland in County Donegal, Ireland. The population at the 2022 census was 1,076.[1]
The Tirconaill Tribune is headquartered here.[3]
History and name
Located north of Letterkenny, the town was founded in the 18th century by the Clement family. It was named after a mill that was located on Maggie's Burn on the edge of the town.[4]
The Irish Baile na nGallóglach literally means "town of the gallóglach". The gallóglaigh (anglicised gallowglass) were an elite class of mercenary warrior who came from Gaelic-Norse clans in Scotland between the mid-13th century and late 16th century. A battle between the Irish (helped by gallóglaigh) and the English took place on a hill in the townland and this is where the name comes from.
Amenities
The town once had two major employers: the Milford Bakery and Flour Mills and McMahons garage, but both are now long gone. There are now a post office, four supermarkets, a veterinary practice, three pubs, a health centre, a library with council offices, a fire station and fishing lakes.
The Gallowglass Community Centre was donated to the community and has been functioning since September 2023 as a venue for community events and classes.
There are four nearby beaches: Portsalon, Rathmullan, Downings, and Tramore. It is a feeder town to Letterkenny.
Education
There are a National School, Scoil Mhuire Milford; two secondary schools, Loreto Community School and Mulroy College; and an Adult Education Education and Training Board centre.
Administration
The Milford electoral area has 3 seats. In 2024 the following were elected to Donegal County Council.
- Declan Meehan (Independent)
- Pauric McGarvey (Independent)
- Liam Blaney (Fianna Fáil)
People
- Amber Barrett (born 1996) - Footballer, born in Milford
- Sean Ferriter (born 1938) - Gaelic footballer, born in Milford[5]
- Patsy Gallacher (1891-1953) - association footballer, born in Milford
- The Baron Hay of Ballyore (born 1950) - DUP politician based in Derry who previously served as the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly; born in Milford
Gallery
-
St. Peter's Church, usually known locally as 'the Chapel', the local Catholic place of worship.
-
Milford Health Centre
See also
References
- ^ a b "Census Interactive Map – Towns: Milford". Census 2022. Central Statistics Office. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ "Placenames Database of Ireland". Archived from the original on 2 September 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
- ^ O'Neill, Ciaran (16 October 2022). "Creeslough tragedy: 'This is probably the most important paper we've ever done because we've never had tragedy of this immensity'". Sunday Independent.
- ^ "Milford, County Donegal". Ireland XO. Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
- ^ "Hall of Fame Honour for Sean Ferriter". Highland Radio. 14 January 2020. Archived from the original on 14 January 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2020.