Gweedore (/ɡwiːˈdɔːr/ gwee-DOR; officially known by its Irish language name, Gaoth Dobhair [ˌɡiː ˈd̪ˠoːɾʲ])[1] is a Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) district and parish located on the Atlantic coast of County Donegal in the north-west of Ireland.

[2][3] It is the largest Irish-speaking parish in Ireland with a population of around 4,065,[4] and is also the home of the northwest regional studios of the Irish-language radio service RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta,[5] as well as an external campus of the University of Galway.

[6] Gweedore includes the settlements of Brinlack, Bunbeg, Derrybeg, Crolly and Dunlewey,[7] and sits in the shade of County Donegal's highest peak, Errigal.

Gweedore has a population of 4,500 and is divided into three electoral divisions (EDs): The predominant spoken language of the district is Irish, but English can be widely heard as well.

A rich subset of unique vocabulary and phrases has arisen from this bilingualism and owing to this, the parish has attracted some curious interest from both lexicographers and etymologists in the past.

Irish-speaking families who were driven from their fertile lands in the Lagan Valley and the surrounding areas made their way to the poor boglands of west Donegal.

It was centred on the adjoining villages of Bunbeg and Derrybeg, and lasted for several hours, causing two rivers to burst their banks, flooding houses, shops and factories, ripping up roads and destroying bridges.

Lightning which lasted for two hours damaged power lines and caused a major breakdown of mobile phone service, leaving people trapped by the floods unable to contact help.

[24][25] In the 1980s and 1990s, Gweedore had a thriving factory industry, where up to 20 large companies were established producing rubber, carpets, body toning equipment and cleaning agents.

In 2004, NUI Galway expanded to Gweedore when it opened Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge,[29] providing third-level education through the medium of the Irish language to over 80 students every year.

[40] For many years the Lough Swilly Railway company provided a bus service for the area, which transported people to places such as Letterkenny and other surrounding parishes.

The local Gaelic games club, CLG Ghaoth Dobhair, is located in Machaire Gathlán and provides facilities for all GAA sports.

Newcomers, such as Odhrán Mac Niallais, Kieran Gillespie, Michael Carroll and Cian Mulligan have secured places in the senior county football team in recent years.

The 14-hole course hugs the picturesque north-west coast and holds several high-profile[citation needed] tournaments throughout the year, most notably, 'The Clannad Classic', sponsored by the world-renowned local folk band.

Lead singer Moya Brennan has also enjoyed a successful solo career, providing musical scores for several Hollywood films.

Gweedore's most successful musician is Enya, born as Eithne Ní Bhraonáin;[49] she first appeared on stage in Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair as a member of Clannad, before going on to become one of the world's biggest-selling artists, with sales exceeding 80 million.

[50] Other local singers include Aoife Ní Fhearraigh,[51] Brídín Brennan,[52] Na Casaidigh,[53] Proinsias Ó Maonaigh,[54] Gearóidín Bhreathnach, Seamus McGee[55] and Maria McCool.

The song "Gleanntáin Ghlas' Ghaoth Dobhair" was written by local musician Francie Mooney, expressing an exile's final farewell to the green valleys of Gweedore.

[61] Their first production was called In Aimsir an Mháirtínigh, an original play by Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde which was staged in the parish hall in Derrybeg.

[62] Their plays and pantomimes, which were all staged in Irish, became a staple of Gaeltacht social life, drawing audiences from as far as Belfast and they performed throughout Ireland and Scotland.

Members of the theatre group have gone on to create TV shows including CU Burn (Seán Mac Fhionnghaile), and have appeared on Ros na Rún (Gavin Ó Fearraigh).

An Clachán claims to be the largest art gallery in Donegal, whilst An Gailearaí at Áislann Ghaoth Dobhair has staged exhibitions based on the work of the world-renowned Derek Hill.

Because Gweedore is in the Gaeltacht and partly due to the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003, only the original Irish versions of placenames have any legal status, and these are used on road signage.