Falcarragh


An Fál Carrach, sometimes called Na Crois Bhealaí is a small Gaeltacht town and townland in north-west County Donegal, Ireland. The settlement is in the old parish of Cloughaneely.

Irish language

There are 2,168 people living in the Falcarragh ED and an estimated 44% are native Irish speakers.

Etymology

The name Falcarragh Fál Carrach has been used since 1850, ascribed so by O' Donavan as he believed 'Na Crois Bhealaí', the Cross Roads, was too common in Ireland to allow distinction. Na Crois Bhealaí is still used by native speakers when referring to the town. On some maps it shows up as 'Crossroads' deriving from its Irish language name Na Croisbhealaí but older maps refer to it as Robinson's Town, but it is now listed as An Fál Carrach. An Fál Carrach, the main commercial town between Letterkenny and Dungloe was known in former times both as Crossroads and as Robinson’s Town. An Fál Carrach, the official name, originally referred to a little hamlet south-east of the present town, at the foot of Falcarragh hill - but gradually houses were built at the crossroads, mainly for the workers and tradespeople employed on the Olphert Estate in Ballyconnell.

History

The first recorded reference to Falcarragh appears in a report written by William Wilson, Raphoe in 1822. Wilson was the Protestant Bishop’s stewart responsible for the collection of tithes to support the Protestant clergy. He, apparently, received a hostile reception on arrival in Cloughaneely according to his account to the bishop:
Slater’s Directory of 1870 provides us with valuable information about Falcarragh and its surrounding area:
Slater's Directory of 1881 records that the population increased to 258 inhabitants in 1871 and also tells that there was a Protestant Episcopal Church in the town. We are given some information about the local post office situated at the crossroads. Thomas Browne was Postmaster at the time and “letters from all parts arrive at ten minutes past eleven morning, and are dispatched at one afternoon.”

Landlords

From 1622 to 1921, the Olpherts were the main landlords in the district, Sir John Olphert being the last Olphert landlord, who died in 1917. The tallest Celtic cross in Ireland is located near Falcarragh.

Transport