Mount Charles
Mountcharles, birthplace of the Irish poet and academic, Seumas MacManus (1869-1960),
has just recently reclaimed its rightful Irish name, Tamhnach an tSalainn (literally "the grassy upland of the salt").
This refers to a salt mine which, in the spate of ethnic cleansing at the beginning of the XVIIth known as the Ulster Plantation,
was granted, along with the surrounding area, to Charles Conyngham over from Scotland.
The name, anglicized as Tawnaghtallan and Tawnytallan was later abandoned by the new landlord in favour of Mountcharles (pronounced locally mount-char-liss) in homage to himself. Charles, by the way, is the ancestor of the colourful Lord Henry Conyngham, known as 'Lord Henry Mountcharles' of Slane Castle Co Meath, an international venue for pop concerts and other festivities.
Salt Hill Gardens, Tel.: +353 74 973 5387
Opening Months: May—September
High season, Monday – Saturday 2-6 pm
The vast Conyngham estate (Hall Demesne) is, however, no longer in the hands of the family; their former residence, the Hall, just outside the village, is now a bed and breakfast. On the other side of the road stands another 18th mansion, in the ownership of the Temple family (Magee’s tweed); the garden, Elizabeth Temple’s passion is open to the public for the modest sum of 5€ per visitor. After your visit, continue down the road you will come to Mountcharles pier, where you can walk along the shore and admire the beautiful view of Donegal bay.
The village was built by Charles Coyningham in accordance with the style of the time: the mini-triangle (“diamond“) frames a green pump, with the north-west exit leading out to join the road to Killybegs, the north-east exit (indicating the Methodist church) running out along the old railway line – which explains why it is still known locally as the “Doorin Line”. The third apex leads south-east to Donegal Town. The bypass has relieved the town of the heavy traffic going back and forwards to Killybegs, Ireland’s largest fishing port. The village, today, is a bustling commercial centre with a strong community spirit. 
There is a post office, managed by Anne and Tom McCallaig, a convenience store (Londis) open from 9 am to 9pm, a top quality traditional organic butchers, an excellent fish shop run by Patrick McCallaig, a cosy tea shop, a hairdressers, a chemist , a Montessori primary school and two churches (Anglican and Catholic). Turlough at the bicycle shop will give you all the information you need about fishing and sell you any fishing tackle you might need. If you are interested in Donegal tweed and have a moment to spare, you can knock on Mr Gillespie’s door (Gillespie Bros). At 92, he has given up his tailoring activities, but still has Donegal tweed jackets in stock (average price 75€) and bales of handwoven tweed for sale by the yard. His old workshop and fitting room has become a box room, so you will need to rummage and of course pay in cash.
Village Tavern
Of the three pubs, the most animated is the Village Tavern, converted from the former Irish Constabulary Station dating back to the 18th century. It has the distinction of being voted pub and restaurant of the year for 2003-2004. Unfortunately, out of season, the excellent seafood bar opens only at the end of the week. Drinks are served all year round at normal opening hours.