Growing Pains
New Housing Development, Manorcunningham, Co. Donegal
An auctioneer’s brochure advertising the sale of houses in Churchlands, a new development in Manorcunningham, Co. Donegal. The ad gives details of the two types of houses available. A map giving directions to the village is included, as is a panoramic view of Lough Swilly as seen from the site. Manorcunningham is one of the many satellite towns surrounding Letterkenny seeing a housing boom as more people choose to live in a more relaxed rural setting.
Alexander Gourley, estate agents.New Housing Development, Manorcunningham, Co. Donegal
Alexander Gourley, estate agents.
Alexander Gourley, estate agents.
New Housing Development, Manorcunningham, Co. Donegal
An auctioneer’s brochure advertising the sale of houses in Churchlands, a new development in Manorcunningham, Co. Donegal. The ad gives details of the two types of houses available. A map giving directions to the village is included, as is a panoramic view of Lough Swilly as seen from the site. Manorcunningham is one of the many satellite towns surrounding Letterkenny seeing a housing boom as more people choose to live in a more relaxed rural setting.
Alexander Gourley, estate agents.
Aerial View of Manorcunningham, Co. Donegal
Aerial view of Manorcunningham and surrounding areas. This map indicates village control points, lettered and marked in yellow, initiated by Donegal County Council planners to identify development limits within and around the village. It also limits multi-residential developments taking place within those marked areas.
Donegal County Council, (OSi).Aerial View of Manorcunningham, Co. Donegal
Donegal County Council, (OSi).
Donegal County Council, (OSi).
Aerial View of Manorcunningham, Co. Donegal
Aerial view of Manorcunningham and surrounding areas. This map indicates village control points, lettered and marked in yellow, initiated by Donegal County Council planners to identify development limits within and around the village. It also limits multi-residential developments taking place within those marked areas.
Donegal County Council, (OSi).The rush for new houses drives developers to provide large numbers of buildings quickly. This often means they concentrate on speed and low cost, rather than designing attractive buildings in which to live and work.
There has been an increase in the construction of cheap, multiple housing developments. These can be poorly laid out, with little landscaping or green areas.
Another result of the housing boom in Donegal is the growth of the small villages close to bigger towns.
For example, villages close to Letterkenny like Kilmacrenan, Ramelton and Manorcunningham are seeing plenty of new construction, as land near the town becomes scarcer.
In addition, living in a rural environment is attracting more people who wish to avoid the expense and stress of cities.
Maintaining Donegal's Character
Four Examples of Vernacular Houses in Donegal
Four photographs showing varying examples of vernacular styles of buildings peculiar to rural areas of Co. Donegal. On the left is a two-storey farmhouse with a slated roof and off-shot front porch. The second example is a traditional thatched cottage. Beside that is a neat cottage, possibly formerly thatched, but pictured with a slate roof. The final image is a two-storey stone-built dwelling, also with a slate roof and off-shot front porch.
Donegal County CouncilFour Examples of Vernacular Houses in Donegal
Donegal County Council
Donegal County Council
Four Examples of Vernacular Houses in Donegal
Four photographs showing varying examples of vernacular styles of buildings peculiar to rural areas of Co. Donegal. On the left is a two-storey farmhouse with a slated roof and off-shot front porch. The second example is a traditional thatched cottage. Beside that is a neat cottage, possibly formerly thatched, but pictured with a slate roof. The final image is a two-storey stone-built dwelling, also with a slate roof and off-shot front porch.
Donegal County CouncilGrowth benefits Donegal because it increases the wealth of the county. However, concern is growing among locals that the new buildings are destroying the traditional rural landscape. The houses pictured below are typical examples of old-style Donegal houses.
With these concerns in mind, Donegal has employed its own Heritage Officer, whose role includes raising awareness of the county's cultural heritage.
The aim is to encourage the use of local materials, such as Mountcharles stone, and architectural styles, which will help to avoid disturbing the beauty of the surrounding landscape.