Rossnowlagh

Rossnowlagh has one of Ireland’s most beautiful stretches of beach - miles of golden sand enclosed by gentle hills. Belalt strand, more commonly known as Rossnowlagh strand is one of the finest in Ireland, and in recent years has become very popular with surfers not only from this country but from all over the world. It faces west towards the Atlantic, an expanse of not quite golden sand stretching some 3km/almost 2mi from north to south. It is of course the waves from the Atlantic which attract the visitors, rather than the sand, or the sun. There are hills at either end of the strand, which allow a good view when surfers are out. Rossnowlagh is also well known as the location for the only annual Orange Order parade in the Republic of Ireland, and the annual celebration of the Twelfth of July in this seaside village has become a fixture on the calendar. The parade actually takes place not on the Twelfth itself, but on the preceding Saturday, the change of day enabling Orange brethren and marching bands to come from Northern Ireland and from Cavan and Monaghan. There are a number of Lodges in the south of the county, from Bruckless to Ballintra, and holding the parade in a popular holiday resort makes the day out all the more attractive. A little south of Belalt or Rossnowlagh strand stands a Franciscan Friary, in the townland of Coolmore. The Franciscans have had links with south Donegal since the founding of the Friary outside Donegal Town in the 1470s. The Annals of the Four Masters were written by four Franciscan friars at nearby Bundrowes, and it was the tercentenary of the death of the leader of the Four Masters, Micheál Ó Cleirigh, in 1944 which prompted the return of the Francsicans to the area. In 1946 the Friars took over Belalt House, formerly owned by the trustees of the Shiel Hospital in Ballyshannon. A new Friary was built in 1952, and this is home to a small community who are proud of re-establishing the links betwen Donegal and the Franciscans.