Fanad

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Fanad
Fanad lighthouse.jpg
Fanad Head lighthouse
Geographical location
Fanad (Ireland)
Fanad
Coordinates 55 ° 16 '34 "  N , 7 ° 37' 56"  W Coordinates: 55 ° 16 '34 "  N , 7 ° 37' 56"  W.
Waters 1 Lough Swilly ( Atlantic Ocean )
Waters 2 Mulroy Bay (Atlantic Ocean)

Fanad ( Irish : Fánaid ) is a peninsula in Northern Ireland in County Donegal . It lies between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay . Its northernmost point is Fanad Head, adorned by a lighthouse . Only Malin Head on the Inishowen Peninsula is further north. In the south, the town of Rathmelton forms the entrance to the peninsula.

The highest point on Fanad is Knockalla Mountain at 363 meters. South of the seaside resort Portsalon is Stocker Strand , one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. The Fanad Drive is a nice round trip on the narrow streets of the peninsula. It starts in Rathmelton and leads on the east coast via Portsalon to Fanad Head. Then it's back on the west coast via Carrowkeel (Kerrykeel) to Milford . The lighthouse at Fanad Head is world-famous as it is the subject of many postcards and calendars. In 1812 the frigate Saldana crashed at Fanad Point (now Fanad Head). At the urging of Captain Hill of the Royal Navy in Derry, it was decided in 1814 to build a lighthouse. The lighthouse began operating on March 17, 1817. Congal Mac Fergus Fanad was the Irish high king from 700 to 710 . The roots of the Scottish kings also lay on Fanad. Famous Irish family clans such as the O'Donnels, the O'Tunneys or the Scottish clans of the MacSweneys and Clintons come from here. In 1607 the " Flight of the Earls " took place from Rathmullan : Aodh Mór Ó Néill and Rory O'Donnell fled from the British to the continent along with 90 relatives and followers. The English used this to confiscate their goods. In the 18th century Rathmullan was a base for the English American sailors, later it became an important trading place for salt herring, which Russian traders bought here. Mulroy Bay is home to one of Ireland's largest salmon farms . Some salmon cages can also be seen in Lough Swilly.

Attractions

  • Seven Arches , an arch of rock washed out by the sea
  • The rocks of Doagh Beg
  • Drumhallagh Cross , a high cross 5 km from Rathmullan
  • Rathmullan's former Carmelite monastery
  • Knockalla Fort , a 19th century castle near Carrowkeel

Web links