Mullaghduff (Irish: An Mullach Dubh) is a townland in northwest County Donegal, Ireland. It forms part of the greater Rosses region[1] and is officially in the Gaeltacht, however, English is the predominantly spoken language today.
Etymology
The name Mullaghduff is an anglicisation of the Irish placename ‘An Mullach Dubh’, which means 'The Black Hilltop'; which possibly derives from the blackish soil which covers the nearby hills.[2][3]
Music and sport
Mullaghduff is home to the marching band Buíonn Cheoil Mhullach Dubh (Mullaghduff Band), founded in 1881, which includes the "Old Band" and the "Wee Band".[4][5] They have won the All Ireland Fleadh - Marching Band Competition fourteen times.[6]
Mullaghduff is also home to Glasgow Celtic's first sod of turf, which was cut in April 1995 and placed in Celtic Park.[7] In June 1996, a small plaque which is along the road was unveiled by Celtic Captain Paul McStay.[8]
The commemorative plaque for the sod of turf taken from Mullaghduff for Celtic Park.
Memorials
There is a memorial near to the Community Centre dedicated to 14 young men killed in the 1943 Ballymanus Mine Disaster, when local men aided by young teenagers attempted to bring an unexploded naval mine ashore the nearby beach when it exploded after hitting a rock.[9][10]
Memorial for the Ballymanus Mine Disaster in Mullaghduff
In 2022, a memorial was erected at Mullaghduff Community Centre to commemorate the 100th anniversary of 3 IRA members (Neil Plunkett O'Boyle, Owen Boyle and Con Boyle) and 1 Cumann na mBan member (Mary McBride) from the area, coined the 'Rosses Martyrs', that fought in the Irish War of Independence and then either died or were killed during the Irish Civil War. Neil Plunkett O'Boyle was the last Anti-Treaty IRA member to be killed during the civil war[11]
Religion
The predominant religion in Mullaghduff is Roman Catholicism and it is part of the parish of Kincasslagh.[12][13] The nearest churches that serve parishioners are St. Mary's Church in Kincasslagh[13] and St. Mary's Star of the Sea in Annagry.[14]
^"Local Area - Mullaghduff Thatched Cottage". www.mullaghduffthatchedcottage.com. Retrieved 26 March 2024. Mullaghduff is located on the Wild Atlantic Way between the villages of Kincasslagh and Annagry in an area of County Donegal known as The Rosses.
^Maguire, Stephen (13 March 2014). "MULLAGHDUFF BAND TO BRIDGE YEARS OF HISTORY IN NEW YORK". Donegal Daily. Retrieved 26 March 2024. The proud and historic tradition of the fife and drum in the Rosses makes its way to New York City this week with the visit by the Old Mullaghduff Band to the St Patrick's Day Parade. Mullaghduff Band, founded in 1881 were officially invited to attend the World famous parade last year and the 12 months preparation will culminate with their appearance and march down 5th avenue next Monday at noon.
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