Loughanure lies on the eastern shore of Lough Anure and is considered a Gaeltacht village, where Irish is spoken in everyday life. Two distinct focuses sit side by side when planning a visit: the village’s architectural and industrial history, and routes and seasonal activities at the nearby lake.
Irish and Coláiste Mhuire
Coláiste Mhuire was built in 1936–38 as a single-storey, nine-bay vocational school with an H-shaped floor plan. Its location near the road gives the building a prominent position in the townscape of Loughanure. Together, its form, use and location provide a tangible point of reference for local history. The Gaeltacht village’s linguistic character is another aspect: Irish is spoken here in everyday life.
Lime extraction and change
Around 1850, lime was discovered on a small hill in the village centre. The women of the village noticed it while lighting a fire and informed the men. To process the soft limestone, a mixture known as “black powder,” made from sulphur, saltpetre and charcoal, was used instead of gelignite. Large lime kilns were built around the village. Both the discovery site in the centre and the kilns around the village are therefore part of the history of lime processing.
The lime industry continued until the late 1930s and wound down by 1950. Government funding for larger-scale production did not materialise because of increasing restrictions on explosives as the Second World War approached. In 1950, extraction was instead redirected to cutting and drying peat. This timeline distinguishes the long development of the lime industry from the later shift to peat work.
At Lough Anure: routes and activities
A gentle, well-marked circular trail runs along the shore of nearby Lough Anure. Along the way, there are views of the islands, the distant Atlantic and the surrounding hills. The lake is also part of the Donegal Cycle Network. In summer conditions, its surface is calm enough for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. These water sports are seasonal; check local conditions before your trip.
The fish species in Lough Anure also vary over the course of the season: brown trout typically weigh about half a pound to one pound, sea trout run later in the season, and salmon are occasionally found. The lake is also home to the endangered European eel. The original yew tree stands on an island in the lake, which is considered a quiet resting place and viewpoint by the water. Access depends on the weather and tides. Check locally before attempting a crossing.
Getting there and finding your way
The N56 runs directly through Loughanure, connecting the area with Dungloe, about 7 km away, and the wider Gweedore region. The National Transport Authority’s 2021 network report lists official bus route 271 as connecting Burtonport and Letterkenny; it serves Dungloe, Loughanure and Crolly, among other places. Check the current timetable before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Drumfree, Convoy, Glenties, Muff, Burtonport, Ballygorman, Lettermacaward, Portnoo
For the main travel overview: County Donegal.
