Milford, County Donegal

Milford Irish: Baile na nGallóglach
County Donegal
Location
Grid reference:	C188267
Location:	55°5’16"N, 7°41’55"W
Data
Population:	1,037  (2016)
Dialling code:	075
Local Government
Dáil constituency:	Donegal

Milford or Millford, historically called Ballynagalloglagh is a small town and townland in County Donegal, to the north of Letterkenny. The population at the 2016 census was 1,037.

The village is name for the mill which was built here when the town was founded in the 18th century. The Irish name Baile na nGallóglach is older than the town and literally means "town of the gallóglach" (Gallowglasses). Gallowglasses were a class of heavily armed mercenary warriors drawn originally from the Norse-Gaelic clans of Scotland, and who were known in Ireland between the mid-13th century and late 16th century. It is believed that the name originates from a battle fought on a hill in the townland at which an Irish force was supported by gallóglaigh.

History

Located, the town was founded in the 18th century by the Clement family, and was named after a mill that was located on Maggie's Burn on the edge of the town.

This town is the ancestral home of a U.S. president, James Buchanan, whose father, also named James Buchanan, emigrated from here to America in 1783.

About the town

The town once had two major employers: the Milford Bakery & 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, library with council offices, a fire station and fishing lakes. It is not far from four different beaches: Portsalon, Rathmullan, Downings and Tramore. It is a feeder town to Letterkenny.

Gallery

St Peter's Roman Catholic church St Peter's Roman Catholic church   Milford Health Centre Milford Health Centre

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Milford, County Donegal)