The name Ramelton derives from the Irish name "Ráth Mealtain", which means "The fort of Mealtain".

In the early 16th century, the Killydonnell Friary, situated above Lough Swilly,
was also built by Calvagh O'Donnell as a Franciscan Friary.
It is suspected that there was an earlier church here, which possibly dated back to the 10th century.
Other evidence of Viking settlement in this area is provided by the archaeological discoveries.
The Friary was closed down at the time of the Plantation. Since then it has been a burial ground for the local community.

Overview
Lough Swilly

In 1610, during the plantation of Ulster, William Stewart, originally from Wigtownshire in Scotland,
came to Ramelton and got 1000 acres of this area from the English king.
After he was knighted, he built the first town and lived in the O'Donnell castle for a short time.
He built a fort on the Lough Swilly shore and the first Reformation church, which still stands.
He brought in families from Scotland to live in the new town.
The Stewarts continued as resident landlords into the 20st century.

During the time of political and religious unrest, "The Father of Presbyterianism", Francis Makemie,
was born in Ramelton and worshipped in what is now called "The Old Meeting House".
By 1682, Makemie had received his ordination nearby in St. Johnston.
In 1683, he emigrated to Virginia and fought for civil and religious liberty.
He founded "the American Presbyterian Church".
Today, fully restored, the "Old Meeting House" is the town library.

Early in the 20th century, Ramelton had 8 churches, 6 of them in use and earned the name: "The Holy City". At the start of the 21st century 6 of them stand but only 3 are still used for worship:
St. Paul's, St. Mary's and Wallace Memorial church.

1714 to 1830, Ramelton grew and prospered and was at
the height of its prestige.
The old Plantation Houses were replaced or transformed
by Georgian Houses.
Fortunes had been made from linen,
because Ramelton had Donegal's biggest linen bleaching works.
Ships from the Caribbean anchored in Lough Swilly and unloaded exotic cargoes at Ramelton in exchange for linen, corn, meat and fish.

Later in the 19th century Ramelton's port changes the methods of transport from sailing to steam ships and continued to prosper.
A steamboat connected the new railway line to Derry.
The gentry bought, proceeded and exported the produce of the "Scottish Presbyterian Settlers", who had become "strong farmers".
There was a rapidly growing workforce of Catholics, some of whom had started small business and were rising in the commercial sphere.

In the late 19th and early 20th, Ramelton rivaled Letterkenny to be the most important town in the north of the county.

The rivalry came to end in 1909 when the railway came to Letterkenny
but not to Ramelton.

Nevertheless, this town with its extremely friendly inhabitants
will always exist and be

"THE JEWEL IN DONEGALS CROWN".

To find more details about the Ramelton-History click here: