The town is named from Ráth Mealtáin, (Gaelic for “the fort of Mealtan”), an early Gaelic chieftain. The fort is said to lie under the ruins of a medieval castle of the O Donnells, the ruling family of West Donegal before their exile to mainland Europe in 1607.

Ramelton was settled by English and Scots planters during the Ulster plantation of the 17th century and is the site of the oldest Presbyterian church in Ireland.

The town with its old Georgian buildings, winding streets and river running alongside it has managed to retain its own world character while providing the modern facilities such as shops, pubs and restaurants. Ramelton is situated 8miles from Letterkenny which is Donegal’s primary town & close to the renowned Knockalla Drive along the wild Atlantic coast.

The recently renovated Town Hall is the venue for a variety of entertainment including concerts and stage plays. The weekly Country Market is renowned for fresh vegetables, home baking and local handcrafted gifts. The village has many quaint pubs – the Bridge Bar is a highly regarded music venue while Conway’s Pub enables the visitor to take a step back in time. Located along the beautiful quay is the building that houses the Ramelton Heritage Centre and Donegal Ancestry – the latter enabling you to trace your Donegal ancestors.

The towns famous village fair ’the Lennon Festival’ runs in June of each year. The river Lennon is famed for its salmon fishing while deep sea fishing and a sailing school are also available in nearby Rathmullan. The area is blessed with many tranquil walkways, ideal for country strolls and for the more adventurous there are a variety of walking challenges including mountain & forest walks in surrounding locations. Glenleary riding stables offer equestrian activities for both the novice and experienced rider and there are a variety of renowned links golf courses and tranquil sandy beaches within a short distance of Ramelton.