Loch an Iúir
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Loch an Iúir truly is a wonderful little village in the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht, situated halfway between Gweedore and Dungloe, on the N56. The village owes its name to the native Yew Tree which grows wild on Oilean Iúir, a small island on the lake. Loch an Iúir literally means “The Lake of the Yew Tree”. The english equivalent of the village name is "Loughanure". This particular variety of Yew Tree grows wild only in Loch an Iúir.
Despite understanding the meaning of the village name, few people have actually seen the rare Yew Tree! Despite it being visible from Mín na Mara road, the island must be viewed more closely by boat. Even then, it takes a knowledgeable local to point out the coveted tree. The island itself was used fadó as a safe haven for distilling poteen, which is an old Irish drink of high alcohol content.
Loughanure was once the powerhouse of lime production in West Donegal. Limestone was abundant in Loughanure in the mid-twentieth Century, and the locals mined it for a living. Furnaces were required to reduce the limestone to powder. These furnaces, known locally as “kilns” (pronounced kill’s) are still in existence in the village today. The kilns were ignited with turf from the surrounding bogland. One kiln is partially restored and visible at the hairpin bend on the N56 coming from Dungloe. Lime was sold as far away as Aran More Island in those days, and every building in The Rosses shone brilliant white with the cream of Loughanure.
Loughanure is home to renowned author and historian Niall O Donaill, who, among other achievements, was appointed by the State to translate the English dictionary to Irish, a great challenge and an even greater honour. It could be argued that this famous Loughanure man set the standard for every Irish speaker in the entire country today.
The newly rebuilt National School is called Scoil Eoin Pól, after the Great Pope. The Irish Language College in the heart of Loch an Iúir is called Colaiste Mhuire, named after Mary, Mother of God. The college was the centre of education in the Lower Rosses for decades before the Rosses Community School in Dungloe was built. Today, the college operates for 8 weeks each Summer for the sole purpose of teaching the Irish language to children. Over 1,000 students come here annually from all over Ulster for this experience. Accommodation is provided by local Mná na Tithe for a unique Gaeltacht experience.
Loughanure Lake is the largest lake in the Rosses; it is over 2 miles long and flows down the Crolly River into the Atlantic Ocean. Salmon, brown trout, and rainbow trout inhabit the dark waters. Locals have created excellent parking facilities and a well developed marina there. The lake is nestled among the surrounding hills which serve as one of the most beautiful backdrops in Ireland. Cumann Iascaireachta Loch an Iúir hold fishing competitions on the lake annually and it is rumoured that rowing competitions have returned to the placid waters.
The sense of community in Loch an Iúir is perhaps the village’s most notable character. Coiste na Mionthograigh, under the leadership of Eugene 'Den' Greene and Eugene Mc Cafferty, is the piston which drives the engine of community development in this village. With limited funding and voluntary effort supplied only by eager locals, this small committee has placed Loughanure in the top 10% of beautiful Irish places. The committee chairperson has been named Laoch na Gaeltacht 2007, which recognises him as the number one community development chairman in the entire Donegal Gaeltacht. Loughanure has won the Best New Entry award in the National Tidy Towns Competition in 2005 (and 1976), and is hotly tipped to win the award of Tidiest Gaeltacht Village in Ireland in 2007.
The local children’s band has stopped playing after a wonderful 8 year reign, which won 21 first prize trophies for the village. Congratulations to everybody involved. I hope the music will return again some day.
With Donegal International Airport only 5 miles away, Loughanure is easily accessible by air from Dublin and Scotland. The thatched pub/restaurant and adjacent service station/café provide all the basic living requirements needed in this unspoilt corner of West Donegal. Nearby attractions include blue-flag beaches, local Summer festivals, surfing, and sight-seeing. Letterkenny is a 45 min drive away.