A striking photograph from around 1890-1900 has been digitally restored and colourised, offering a rare glimpse into maritime life on Lough Swilly before the age of motor vessels.
The image, shared by the Fahan, Inch & Burt Parish Facebook page, shows the tranquil shores at Fahan with a two-masted sailing vessel grounded on the mudflats and a small rowing boat setting off across the water. In the background, grand houses line the coast - likely the holiday homes of wealthy merchants from nearby Derry.
A Working Waterfront
What appears serene was actually a scene of practical industry. The sailing ship is deliberately "grounded" on the mudflats, a common practice of the era. Vessels would sail in at high tide, wait for the water to recede, then unload their cargo directly onto horse-drawn carts on the beach. When the next high tide returned, they would float away to their next destination.
At this time, roads across Inishowen were poor, making sea transport the most practical way to move heavy goods. Ships like this carried coal, timber, flour, and agricultural supplies to communities around Lough Swilly.
The Railway Connection
Though not visible in the photograph, the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway (L&LSR) ran directly past this point. Fahan station opened on 19 September 1864 as part of the line from Londonderry to Buncrana, later extended to Carndonagh in 1901.
Fahan was a crucial transport hub where rail met water. The Lough Swilly Steamboat Company operated ferry services between Fahan pier and Rathmullan on the western shore. This made Rathmullan, as one local historian noted, "like a satellite town of Derry for professionals" - residents could take the ferry to Fahan, then the train to industrial Derry for work.
The railway brought dramatic change to Inishowen. When the Carndonagh extension opened in 1901, it was described as "a Ryanair moment" for peninsula residents - suddenly, pilgrimages to Doon Well, summer horse racing at Ballyliffin, and access to Derry's bakeries and markets became possible for ordinary people.
Identifying the Ship
Local knowledge shared in response to the restored photograph offers possible identifications. One commenter, John McCarron, suggests this is the Norwegian barque "Emily" which "hit bad weather and was damaged off Lough Swilly. She lay at Fahan and was eventually broken up. One of the very last working sailing ships."
Another local, Brian Farren, identifies it as "Captain Bob Warden and his crew. Sailing ship name is the Welcome."
Whether Emily or Welcome, the vessel represents the twilight of sail. The photograph captures an "interim period" of transport - traditional sail power still in heavy use, existing alongside the steam trains that were beginning to transform Donegal.
The Buildings in View
Sharp-eyed viewers have identified the Roneragh Hotel in the background of the photograph. According to local memory, the building "used to be grey" in those days. The grand houses along this stretch of coast were typically holiday homes or permanent residences for wealthy merchant families from Derry, who took advantage of the scenic setting and easy rail connections.
A Landscape Unchanged
What strikes viewers most about the restored photograph is how recognisable the landscape remains. "The landscape has changed," notes Derry Photos Restored, "but the outline of the hills remains exactly the same."
The restoration work, which brings colour to a black-and-white original, was carried out by Derry Photos Restored, a project dedicated to bringing historical photographs from the Derry and Donegal region back to life.
Fahan's Railway Legacy
Fahan station closed to passengers on 6 September 1948, ending 84 years of service. The station building survives today as the Railway Tavern & Firebox Grill, a pub and restaurant that preserves the memory of the railway era.
An interesting footnote: in January 1881, a station master named James Bond was appointed at Fahan. It is said that in 1885, SM Bond erected a small windmill powering a dynamo to generate electricity to light the station - possibly one of the earliest uses of wind-generated electricity in Ireland.
Visiting Today
The shore at Fahan remains peaceful and scenic, though the sailing ships and railway are long gone. The Lough Swilly ferry service ended decades ago, but the views across to Rathmullan and Fanad are as striking as ever.
For those interested in the railway heritage of the area, the Railway Tavern in Fahan village preserves the original station building, and sections of the old railway line can still be traced through the landscape.
The restored photograph was shared by the Fahan, Inch & Burt Parish community page, with original restoration by Derry Photos Restored. Historical information sourced from History of Donegal and Wikipedia.