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| Places to go -> Loughanure |
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Loughanure (The Lake of the Yew Tree) : Loughanure |
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Address :
Loughanure
Surrounding Area :
Co. Donegal
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Description :
Loch an Iúir or Loughanure is a village in the heart of Donegal, Ireland. Situated halfway between Gweedore and Dungloe, on the N56 road. The village owes its name to the native Yew Tree which grows wild on Oileán 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.
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