Des. Res.?

Today's the day …………………….. for habitation

This part of Ireland, although remote, is apparently one of the most densely populated rural areas not just in Ireland, but in Western Europe.

It seems that back at the start of the 1600s, Gaelic-speaking families driven from their fertile lands in the Lagan and the surrounding areas of Ulster, made their way to the poor bogland of West Donegal.  Around the same time, English and Scottish settlers began to arrive when this 'unchartered territory' was converted into baronies. The first people to arrive settled on the islands or along the coast in 'clusters', pockets of houses built close together for shelter.

Nowadays, there is a strange combination of old and new houses.  Buildings like those above that have been around for centuries and have acquired their own shabby charm - next door to spanking new, often quite large houses, where the owners now live.

I was spoilt for choice in the first category …………………….!