In April 2023 we stayed close to Burtonport, adjacent to Loch Meela, in Co. Donegal. On the first full day of our stay, we walked the Burtonport Old Railway Walk. A 6km length of the Burtonport extension of the Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway has been made into an accessible path. The weather was great and the walk very enjoyable. We were impressed by the investment in the walk made by the local community and Donegal County Council. The original line ran from Derry to Letterkenny and was later extended to Burtonport. ... http://rogerfarnworth.com/2023/04/2...-the-londonderry-lough-swilly-railway-part-1/
This is the second length of the Burtonport Extension which takes us as far as Cashelnagor. .... http://rogerfarnworth.com/2023/05/05/the-burtonport-extension-of-the-londonderry-lough-swilly-railway-part-2/
This is the third length of the L&LSR. It covers the length from Cashelnagor to Barnes Gap. .... It includes what was the most significant structure on the line ... the Owencarrow Viaduct. ... http://rogerfarnworth.com/2023/06/22/the-burtonport-extension-of-the-londonderry-amp-lough-swilly-railway-part-3/
There was a widely dispersed but significant population until land clearances occurred which were followed by a potato famine which resulted in further land clearances as croft holders could not meet their rent. Large number emigrated when removed from their land, some took up fishing and then much of the fishing failed as well. British absentee landlords were responsible for the clearances. The same thing happened across the Highlands of Scotland. Not a good episode in British/English history.
What was the time period for these events, noted above? My great great grandparents left Ireland in 1866, arriving during April, New York City. Supposedly due to the crop failures, aboard a known "famine" ship.
This article will be informative, hopefully. The mid-19th century onwards saw a mass migration from Ireland to other parts of the world. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Famine_(Ireland)
This next linked article covers the remaining length of the Burtonport Extension Railway from Barnes Gap to Letterkenny. .... http://rogerfarnworth.com/2023/07/13/the-burtonport-extension-of-the-llsr-londonderry-and-lough-swilly-railway-part-4-barnes-gap-to-letterkenny/
Some of those views which are seemingly more arid, rocky territory remind me a lot of the eastern portion of Washington State in the USA.
