Killybegs, County Donegal in Ireland

Killybegs, or Na Cealla Beagain Irish, is a harbour town on the south coast of County Donegal in Ireland and is located north of Donegal Bay.

Killybegs is a natural deepwater harbour and it is well-known throughout Ireland as a famous fishing town. Killybegsexistence as a fishing port is not a recent one. In the 16th century, Killybegs was the chief port of Tír Chonail and the O'Donnell chieftains were known as the "best lords of fish in Ireland".

The town’s patron saint is St. Catherine of Alexandria - she is the patron of seafarers and the association with Killybegs is thought to be from the 15th century which further confirms that Killybeg’s tradition of seafaring is not a recent one.

The area around Killybegs has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and there is evidence of as many as twenty ring forts, with the majority of these near the shore.

On the right hand side of the image is St Mary of the Visitation Roman Catholic Church. The foundation stone was laid on 2 February 1842 and although the first Mass was celebrated on Christmas Day in 1843, the Church was not completed until 1854.

In the centre of the image is St John's Church of Ireland. The building of the Church began in 1825 and on 6 June 1828 it was consecrated and dedicated to St John by William Bishop of Raphoe.

Killybegs County Donegal Print 

by OldeWorldGifts

Vintage photomechanical print of Killybegs in County Donegal, Ireland, which was taken towards the end of the 19th century. Photograph courtesy LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-009864).

Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the range of products featuring this vintage photograph of Killybegs in Ireland.