Kincasslagh

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Cionn Caslach
Irish: Kincasslagh
County Donegal
Kincasslagh - View of Kincasslagh village area - geograph.org.uk - 1170221.jpg
A view of Cionn Caslach village
Location
Grid reference: B738189
Location: 55°2’13"N, 8°20’26"W
Data
Population: 41
Dialling code: 074 95
Local Government
Dáil
constituency:
Donegal
Website: kincasslagh.net

Kincasslagh is a small, seaside village in the Rosses area of County Donegal, known 'officially' by its Irish language name, Cionn Caslach. Despite only having a population of just over 40 people, the village has attracted much international attention due to the success of local singer Daniel O'Donnell.[1]

This is reckoned to be a Gaeltacht village, but while Irish is the official language of the area, the use of the language has been in decline since the 1950s.[2] There are very few Irish-speakers in Kincasslagh today, much like neighbouring villages Mullaghduff and Burtonport.

There is only one public house in the village, Iggy's, and the one grocery shop, The Cope, is part of a cooperative retail chain indigenous to the area. The Viking House is the nearest hotel to the village, which was once owned by singer Daniel O'Donnell. Kincasslagh is also the nearest village to Cruit Island, which boasts a very popular golf course.[3]

Name

Kincasslagh Peninsula and pier
The O'Donnell annual 'tea party' in Kincasslagh

The Irish and official name for Kincasslagh is Cionn Caslach or Ceann Caslach, which means head of the small inlet. Due to its status as a Gaeltacht village, all roadsigns to and in the village itself are in the Irish language.

St. Mary's Roman Catholic church

History

Kincasslagh has a long history of emigration, much like the rest of West Donegal. In the 1950s and 1960s, a large number of locals left the area to work in Great Britain, America and Australia.

Sport

  • Football: Keadue Rovers F.C.
  • Gaelic Athletics: Naomh Mhuire CLG, which covers the greater 'Lower Rosses' area

References