Droichead na Caointe, Cloughaneely, Co. Donegal
Colour photograph of ?Droichead na Caointe?, or, ?The Bridge of Tears?, Cloughaneely, Co Donegal. The bridge crosses a small stream in the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht, in the picturesque region of Muckish mountain. It was here that emigrants heading on foot to the port of Derry used to part from their families, crossing to the other side alone.
© Donegal Genealogy ResourcesDroichead na Caointe, Cloughaneely, Co. Donegal
© Donegal Genealogy Resources
© Donegal Genealogy Resources
Droichead na Caointe, Cloughaneely, Co. Donegal
Colour photograph of ?Droichead na Caointe?, or, ?The Bridge of Tears?, Cloughaneely, Co Donegal. The bridge crosses a small stream in the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht, in the picturesque region of Muckish mountain. It was here that emigrants heading on foot to the port of Derry used to part from their families, crossing to the other side alone.
© Donegal Genealogy ResourcesNear Muckish Mountain, in the Gaeltacht district of Cloughaneely, is a small stone bridge known locally as "Droichead na Caointe", or The Bridge of Tears in English.
In the nineteenth century, before the railway was built, local people emigrating to America, Britain and Australia crossed this bridge on their way to the port of Derry, the main departure point for Donegal emigrants.
The emigrant was accompanied by family and friends as far as this point, but crossed to the opposite side alone. For many, this was the last time they would see their family and friends, as most emigrants never returned.