|
Letterkenny Accommodation -
Ramelton - Heritage Town
Ramelton is an elegant Georgian town in County Donegal - a county
that is better known for its natural attractions.The town was built by
Sir William Stewart who is also credited with the establishment of a
town in Letterkenny. He was granted some 1,000 acres around the area
where the River Lennon flows into Lough Swilly, and built the town,
between the years 1609 and 1622, where previously an O’Donnell castle
had stood, a castle judged to be "the meetest and most commodious in the
area".
Ramelton’s ‘golden era’ was undoubtedly the 18th and early 19th
centuries, the Georgian era which gave it its most beautiful and
distinctive buildings. This was a very affluent time for some of the
leading families of the town, such as the Watts and the Stewarts, and
sail ships regularly traded between Ramelton, New York and Kingstown,
Jamaica. Flax was grown locally for the then thriving linen industry.
This industry was centered on the Tanyard, a structure and site which
can still be seen near the bridge at the west end of the Mall.
The many buildings worth further investigation include the Georgian
‘House on the Brae’ on Bridge Street, the terrace of houses on the Mall,
St. Paul’s Church of Ireland, and some individual houses and groups of
houses which are described in Mary Haggan’s guide to the town. The group
of warehouses and industrial buildings, along the quay to the east of
the town are also worth a visit.
The Old Meeting House located
on Back Lane is one of the oldest Presbyterian Churches in Ireland. One
of Ramelton's famous sons was Francis Makemie who was the founder of the
American Presbyterian Church.
The town of Ramelton also boasts auspicious sporting connections being
the birthplace of Dave Gallaher, captain of the first All Blacks, New
Zealand Rugby Union team and Patsy Gallagher, a legend of Glasgow Celtic
football club.
Ramelton was designated a
Heritage Town in recent years because of its Georgian architecture and
the beautiful Georgian Mall that stretches along the River Lennon.
 more
information about Letterkenny
Houses to rent Letterkenny |
Apartments to let in Letterkenny |
Rooms Share | Letterkenny Hotels |
Bed and
Breakfast | Letterkenny Self Catering |
