COVID 19 Commemorative Paving Stones

As part of the National Day of Reflection, Donegal Community Forum commissioned 6 Commemorative Paving stones which have now been placed in the footpaths/walkways of the Towns with the highest population in each Municipal District as follows:-

Please click on MD link to view Paving Stones and their location

• Donegal MD‌‌        - Donegal Town - The Diamond (in front of the monument)       https://maps.app.goo.gl/HmStKcpxW71No7KV7

• Glenties MD        - Dungloe - Age Friendly Bus Stop, Lower Main Street  https://maps.app.goo.gl/rLqU4y1HQCovUycC8

• Inishowen MD     - Buncrana - Market Square   https://www.google.ie/maps/search/market+yard+buncrana/@55.1345727,-7.4546953,18z?entry=ttu

• Letterkenny MD -  Letterkenny -  An Grianan Theatre   https://maps.app.goo.gl/e536ZTFbVJferGzt6

• Milford MD          - Milford - Library, Milford PSC   https://maps.app.goo.gl/b2BJCyJkUSxBhHg77 

• Stranorlar MD    -  Ballybofey - Butt Hall Complex, Main Street    https://maps.app.goo.gl/XGiya9hxFkdUKahH8

These paving stones are integrated into the infrastructure of these town to reflect the qualities which form the infrastructure of our Communities - kindness, generosity and goodness - all of which the people of Donegal showed to each other throughout the Covid pandemic. 

The Paving Stones are 600mm x 600mm x 80 mm and are made of a grey limestone with white painted engravings.  Each Paving Stone has a bush hammered effect on the surface of the Paving Stone to aid grip.

Design

The Design of the Commemorative Stones is made up of the Donegal County Badge which was granted to Donegal County Council as part of the Grant of Arms which forms the Council Crest. 

The Badge consists of the O’Donnell Cross enfilled by a Iunula.  The original Iunula, which was found at Treantagh, is in the National Museum and dates from 2,000 to 1,500 BC

The Donegal County Badge has been used by Donegal County Council exclusively for the Freedom of the County Award to date so it is fitting that it should also be used as part of the Commemorative Paving Stones, which are located in the Municipal Districts throughout the county, to honour the work of the volunteers who live there.

The County Motto - “Mutuam habeatis caritatem” is also included in the design.   This motto is devised from the last words of St Colmcille, patron Saint of Co Donegal, – “Maintain among you mutual love”.  It is evident that the people of the County, through their efforts for the people in their locality, fulfilled this final wish of St Colmcille during the Covid pandemic.