Ramelton

Infobox Irish Place
name = Ramelton
gaeilge = Ráth Mealtáin
map

pin coords = left: 87px; top: 47px
north coord = 55.050941 | west coord = 8.235626 | irish grid = B847228
area = | elevation =
province = Ulster
county = County Donegal
town pop = 1,088 |
census yr = 2006
dailconstituency = Donegal South West
stdcode = 075, +000 353 74
|

Ramelton is a town in County Donegal, Ireland; its population is 1088 (2006).

Ramelton (Gaelic: "Ráth Mealtáin") is situated at the mouth of the River Lennon, 11km north of Letterkenny and 4km east of Milford on the western shores of Lough Swilly. The town is named from "Ráth Mealtáin", 'the fort of Mealtan', an early Irish chieftain. The fort is said to lie under the ruins of a medieval castle of the O'Donnells, the ruling family of West Donegal before their exile to Europe in 1607.

Ramelton was settled by English and Scots Planters during the Ulster Plantation of the 17th century and is the site of the oldest Presbyterian church in Ireland.

The town was the setting for the 1995 television program "The Hanging Gale", which told of the Potato Famine of the 19th century.

The town has hosted the Lennon Festival since 1970. It is the birthplace of Francis Makemie, often referred to as the founder of Presbyterianism in the United States; Glasgow Celtic footballer Patsy Gallacher, and All Blacks captain Dave Gallaher.

Ramelton is a Fáilte Ireland designated Heritage Town.

ee also

*County Donegal
*List of towns in the Republic of IrelandOne of the oldest and most famous families that have lived in ramelton since it was built in the 17th century are the Aikens. They were planted there during the Ulster plantations in 1649. Some of their relitives are still livin in the old georgian town and others are found in nieghbouring towns like rathmullan and milford.

External links

* [http://www.ramelton.net ramelton.net]
* [http://www.rameltontownhall.com Ramelton Town Hall]