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Milford, County Donegal

Coordinates: 55°05′16″N 7°41′55″W / 55.087898°N 7.698498°W / 55.087898; -7.698498
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Milford
Baile na nGallóglach
Town
Milford is located in Ireland
Milford
Milford
Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 55°05′16″N 7°41′55″W / 55.087898°N 7.698498°W / 55.087898; -7.698498
CountryIreland
ProvinceUlster
CountyCounty Donegal
Government
 • Dáil constituencyDonegal
Elevation
68 m (223 ft)
Population1,076
Time zoneUTC+0 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-1 (IST (WEST))
Area code(s)075, +000 353 74
Irish Grid ReferenceC188267

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

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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.

The town is the ancestral home of U.S. president James Buchanan, from which Buchanan's father, also named James Buchanan, immigrated to America in 1783.

Amenities

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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

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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

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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

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Census Interactive Map – Towns: Milford". Census 2022. Central Statistics Office. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Placenames Database of Ireland". Archived from the original on 2 September 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Milford, County Donegal". Ireland XO. Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Hall of Fame Honour for Sean Ferriter". Highland Radio. 14 January 2020. Archived from the original on 14 January 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
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