Sheephaven Bay or Sheep Haven (Irish: Cuan na gCaorach)[1] is a broad, shallow inlet on the north coast of County Donegal, Ireland.[2] Bounded by the peninsulae of Rosguill, to the east and Horn Head (Irish: Corrán Binne) to the west, the bay is relatively protected from the full force of the Atlantic Ocean, and has supported a vibrant herring fleet.

View of Sheephaven Bay from Dunfanaghy. Horn Head is beyond.
Looking down onto Sheephaven Bay near Marble Hill
Doe Castle on Sheephaven Bay

Etymology

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The Irish name Cuan na gCaorach may be a recent translation of the English name to Irish. Some older maps have referred to "Ship Haven", with Irish translation Cuan na Long, however this form is considered incorrect.[1]

Doe Castle

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Sheephaven Bay is home to Doe Castle, located near Creeslough, which was built in the early 16th century. The castle, which still stands, was a stronghold for the Clan Sweeney (Clan Suibhne) for 200 years.[3]

Settlements around the bay

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Cuan na gCaorach/Sheep Haven". Placenames Database of Ireland (logainm.ie). Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  2. ^ "History of Dunfanaghy - Sheephaven Bay". www.sheephavenbay.com.
  3. ^ "Heritage Ireland - Doe Castle". www.heritageireland.ie. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  4. ^ "Dunfanaghy". www.railwaylodge.com. 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.

55°11′46″N 7°54′00″W / 55.196°N 7.900°W / 55.196; -7.900