Kilcar
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Cill Charthaigh | |
|---|---|
Village | |
 View from the monastic site at the old church down to the village, looking east. The R263 is to be seen as it leaves Kilcar in direction to Killybegs | |
  Cill Charthaigh Location in Ireland | |
| Coordinates: 54°37′57″N 8°35′34″W / 54.632481°N 8.592789°W | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Ulster |
| County | County Donegal |
| Government | |
| • Dáil Éireann | Donegal |
| • EU Parliament | Midlands–North-West |
| Population | 403 |
| Irish Grid Reference | G614763 |
| Cill Charthaigh is the only official name. The anglicised spelling Kilcar has no official status. | |
Cill Charthaigh (anglicised as Kilcar)[2] is a Gaeltacht village on the R263 regional road in the south west of County Donegal in Ireland. It is also a townland of 233 acres and a civil parish in the historic barony of Banagh.[3]
Main Street has a Catholic church (known locally as 'the Chapel') at one end and two textile factories at the other end. In between there are several shops and three pubs. The village has the principal tweed hand weaving facility in Donegal, with a shop selling tweed products. Kilcar is also known for its tradition in knitting.[4][5]
The primary school is about 750 metres from Main Street, and the parish of Kilcar stretches to the 'burn' which separates it from the next village, Carrick, which is about 5 kilometres away.
Located near the Slieve League cliffs, the town is known for its coastal landscapes and musical traditions.[6][7]
Culture
[edit]Áislann Chill Chartha is a community facility which includes a library, café, sports hall (basketball and indoor football), a fitness suite, computer centre, and small theatre.[8] It also has exhibits based on the history of South West Donegal and exhibitions of historic local photographs.
Students visit the area to learn Irish through Coláiste Chara, an Irish language summer school for teenagers.[9]
Fleadh Cheoil Chill Chartha or Kilcar Fleadh is a yearly festival of music, song and dance celebrating the traditions of south-west Donegal.[10]
A restoration has been in progress to restore An Mhuileann Coirce Leitir (Corn Mill), "The mill and millers house is at present undergoing renovation under the auspice of The Kilcar Heritage Committee. This ambitious restoration project consists of the restoration of the mill and drying kiln, mill dam, mill wheel and mill race. The renovation of the miller’s house will include refreshment facilities. A new visitor’s car and bus park will also be added. The landscaping of the mill lands will include a new river-side scenic walk."[11]
Sport and outdoor activities
[edit]
Gaelic football is among the more popular sports in Kilcar, and the GAA pitch at Towney is located 2 kilometres outside the village on the coast road. The local club, CLG Chill Chartha, have been six times Donegal Champions. CLG Chill Chartha promotes Gaeilge usage and organises Irish Language events within the community.
The townland of Muckross (Mucros in Irish) is a location for tourists due to its scenery, rock climbing, surfing beach and family bathing beach. It is 3 km (2 mi) east of the village on the coast road (See Muckross Head).
Curris also has views of Sliabh a Liag, and has a beach and pier nearby.
People
[edit]- Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker own a holiday home in the area, and have been regular visitors.[12]
- Bishop Séamus Hegarty was from Kilcar.
- Patrick McBrearty, Donegal GAA player is from Kilcar.
- Brothers James and Martin McHugh, 1992 All-Ireland Senior Football Champions, are from Kilcar. Martin is the father of Mark, 2012 All-Ireland champion and All Star and his brother Ryan, 2014 All-Ireland Finalist and All Star Award winner.
- The Revs, an indie rock band, come from Kilcar and sometimes play at the annual Kilcar Festival in August.
See also
[edit]- List of populated places in the Republic of Ireland
- List of towns and villages in Northern Ireland
- Largy Waterfall
References
[edit]- ^ "Census Interactive Map – Towns: Cill Charthaigh". Census 2022. Central Statistics Office. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ Placenames (Ceantair Ghaeltachta) Order 2004.
- ^ "Kilcar". IreAtlas Townlands Database. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
- ^ Textile Asia. Business Press. 2000. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
- ^ Corrigan, V. (2019). Irish Aran: History, Tradition, Fashion. O'Brien Press. p. 140. ISBN 978-1-78849-109-9. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
- ^ Guides, F.T. (2023). Fodor's Essential Ireland 2024. Full-color Travel Guide. Fodor's Travel. p. 711. ISBN 978-1-64097-629-0. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
the landscape hereabouts is awe-inspiring. The narrows and twists of the R263 afford terrific views of Donegal Bay before descending into pretty Cill Chartaigh (Kilcar)
- ^ Gerrard, D.; Travel Publishing Ltd (2004). The Hidden Places of Ireland. Hidden Places - National Guides. Travel. p. 80. ISBN 978-1-904434-10-8. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
Kilcar is also well-known for its music pubs where you'll find traditional music
- ^ "Áislann Chill Chartha". Retrieved 31 May 2021.
- ^ "Coláiste Chara Príomhsraid Cill Chartha Co. Dhún na nGall". gov.ie. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
- ^ "Féile Ceoil Chill Chartha–The Kilcar Fleadh, Co. Donegal". Irish Music Magazine. 2 April 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
- ^ "History of Leitir Corn Mill". Leitir Corn Mill. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ Coleman, Maureen (7 August 2008). "Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick off to Donegal to save marriage". The Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 7 August 2008.
The glamorous couple – considered one of the strongest pairings in showbiz – regularly visit Kilcar in Donegal, where they own a holiday home.
External links
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