Ramelton

The name Ramelton derives from the Irish name "Ráth Mealtain", which means "The fort of Mealtain".

Archaeological evidences have shown, that in the Ramelton area were settlements since the early Stone Age.

From the 12th century this area had been the homeland of the O'Donnell's, the ruling clan of Donegal.

In the 15th Century the heir to the chieftaincy, Calvagh O'Donnell, resided in his stronghold at Rossreagh,
which was on an island, now the site of the present quay.
The castle was burnt down in the 1640th during the Irish rebellion.
Today there are no visible remains of the old castle.
In the early 16th century, the Killydonnell Friary, situated above Lough Swilly,
was also built by Calvagh O'Donnell as a Franciscan Friary.
It is suspected that there was an earlier church here, which possibly dated back to the 10th century.
Other evidence of Viking settlement in this area is provided by the archaeological discoveries.
The Friary was closed down at the time of the Plantation. Since then it has been a burial ground for the local community