Creeslough is a village in County Donegal, Ireland, which is located 12 km south of Dunfanaghy on the N56 road, 54 m above sea level and overlooking an arm of Sheephaven Bay. It is a small village, with the population of the surrounding area engaged mainly in agriculture, mostly livestock rearing, as little of the surrounding land is suitable for tillage.
Places of interest
Nearby attractions include:
Doe Castle, a 16th-century castle of the MacSuibhne clan, which has been restored during 2002-2005. It is perhaps best known as the place to which Owen Roe O'Neill returned to command the Irish Confederate's Ulster army in 1642 during the Irish Confederate Wars.
Ards Forest Park, which contains some megalithic tombs, ringforts and a Mass rock. The forest park encompasses a variety of habitats, including sand dunes, tidal salt marsh as well as several small lakes, two of which are vegetation-filled and in the process of becoming bogs.
Owencarrow Viaduct, whose railway line closed in 1941. Scene of the Owencarrow Viaduct Disaster in 1925.
Muckish Mountain, with its distinctive outline and a number of routes to the summit to choose from, is a popular hiking destination. The surrounding mountainous areas are suitable for hiking and are notable for their ease of access. The annual Glover Highlander walk starts nearby. There are also several marked trails in Glenveagh National Park.
Doe Chapel, The remains of the outer walls of the chapel are situated within the current graveyard at Doe. The bell tower stands intact.
St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, designed by Derry architect, Liam McCormick in 1971, is notable for its unique design, which mimics the shape of the nearby table mountain of Muckish. McCormick was also responsible for the design of the RIAI Triennial Gold Medal-winning St Aengus' Church, Burt, County Donegal. The church bell was moved from the bell tower from Doe Chapel.
Transport
opened on 9 March 1903, closed for passenger traffic on 3 June 1940, and finally closed altogether on 6 January 1947.
No News at Throat Lake is a memoir by Lawrence Donegan about his year living in Creeslough as a reporter at the bi-weekly newspaper, Tirconaill Tribune.
The area has featured in many Irish folk songs, the most famous being "Cutting the Corn in Creeslough" which has been covered by the likes of Daniel O'Donnell and Creeslough native Bridie Gallagher.
