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Rosguill (Irish language and official name:Ros Goill)[1] is apeninsula situated in the north-north-west ofCounty Donegal on the north coast ofUlster, the northernprovince in Ireland. Lying between the peninsulae ofFanad to the east andHorn Head to the west, Rosguill is a dichotomy of heathland and ocean.Sheephaven Bay lies on the western side of the peninsula, whileMulroy Bay lies on the eastern side. Between, a mixture of bog, hill and pastureland, the ancient walls, remnants of cattle enclosures, and the various evidences of fortification are proof of the area's use since antiquity.The Parish of Rosguill is an alternative name for theParish ofMevagh, which covers the peninsula and an equally sized hinterland.
There are nearly 800 people living in Rosguillelectoral division, while 33% of residents are native Irish speakers.
The area is heavy with legend; the name itself is supposed to have originated whenFionn mac Cumhaill finally obtained justice by killingGoll mac Morna, the slayer of his father. This act is traditionally said to have taken place at a rock calledCarraic Ghoill (English:Carrickguill) lying off thetownland ofDumhaigh (English:Dooey). The entire area became known as the "Headland of Goll" orRos Goill.
Deirdre andNaoise are thought to have camped on the strand ofTrá Mhór (Tramore, also known as Rosapenna Strand) when fleeing fromConchobar mac Nessa, the King ofUlster, and hisKnights of the Red Branch.
The highest points on the peninsula areGainne Mhór (English: Ganiamore) and its sister peak,Gainne Bheag. The name derives fromGráinne, betrothed ofFionn mac Cumhaill and lover ofDiarmuid Ua Duibhne. While fleeing Fionn'sFianna warriors en route toScotland, legend has it that they rested on the hill. Considerable damage to the south western face ofGainne has been the result of unrestrained excavation in recent years.
In the late 4th century, the son ofNiall Noigíallach and the eponym of County Donegal (Tír Conaill),Conall Gulban, defeated the warriors ofUlaid, atBallyshannon andBarnesmore. Conall's army chased the fleeing Ulstermen throughGoll (Rosguill),Crích Chloinne Rosa,Crích Ua nDuach,Caim-Fhersaid Mhór, to the shores ofLough Foyle. Conalll Gulban and his brother,Eógan, became the ancestors of the Kings ofTír Conaill (Tyrconnell) andTír Eógain (Tyrone) respectively.
In common with many other areas ofUlster, Rosguill has its share of legends relating toSt. Colm Cille. Colm Cille was a nobleman born atGartan, a great-grandson of Conall Gulban, he took holy orders and began proselytising throughout Ireland. Prior to his exile inDál Riata and theKingdom of the Picts, Colm Cille founded monasteries atDerry andKells, and is accredited with the founding of many more smaller establishments. Of these the Old church at Mevagh, in Clontallagh townland is said to one. Colm Cille also is said to have erected theHigh cross in the churchyard, on which allegedly he left the track of his fingers in the stone. Furthermore, he spread curses and blessings on various townlands in the parish in equal measure to the hospitality he received: Dundoan Upper was cursed to always have a fool amongst its community, after they mocked him, whereas he prophesied that no-one from Dooey or Island Roy would ever drown. His supposed footprints are to be found on a rock in Downings.
The crop rotation[2] in use in Rosguill at the start of the 19th century was potatoes, barley, oats and flax.
Pynnar's survey[2] was carried out in 1618 by Captain Nicolas Pynnar to verify that the conditions agreed to by the 'Planters' during thePlantation of Ulster were being carried out.
There is a wealth of activities available locally: Angling, Hiking, Golf and Watersports. One of the most eastern of allGaeltachtaí, the area has a vibrant cultural tradition, with many artists and musicians residing in the area
Rosguill has been victim to some extent to, the short sighted planning of the 1990s, and to the almost absence of applied legislation previously and, like a great deal of the west coast of the country, has suffered from unchecked ribbon development. However, one can easily escape this, except in the main settlements, to find an Ireland of centuries past.
Downings Harbour, onSheephaven Bay, is fast becoming a world class big game fishing destination. Each autumn, sport fishing charter boats use Downings as the launching point for giant bluefin tuna fishing charters. See[1] for additional information.
The western side of the Rosguill peninsula and its townlands are known colloquially as "The Bottom" and the eastern side is known as "The Far side". The townlands on the mainland are known as "The Upper Part".
The peninsula ofRosguill consists of nineteenTownlands:
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There are a further thirty one townlands in theparish of Rosguill (Mevagh):
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55°12′N7°50′W / 55.200°N 7.833°W /55.200; -7.833
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