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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]
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 | 1,076 |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-1 (IST (WEST)) |
| Area code(s) | 075, +000 353 74 |
| Irish Grid Reference | C188267 |
The Tirconaill Tribune is headquartered here.[3]
History and name
editLocated 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
editThe 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
editThere 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
editThe 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
edit- Patsy Gallacher (1891-1953) - association footballer, born in Milford
- Sean Ferriter (born 1938) - Gaelic footballer, born in Milford[5]
- 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
- Amber Barrett (born 1996) - Footballer, born in Milford
Gallery
edit-
St. Peter's Church, usually known locally as 'the Chapel', the local Catholic place of worship. -
Milford Health Centre
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ 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.
External links
edit