Donegal Democrat

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The Donegal Democrat is a local newspaper, originally from Ballyshannon, County Donegal and first published there on June 16th, 1919. It was founded by John Downey, and today it has offices in Donegal town and Letterkenny. Traditionally the paper was published weekly on a Thursday in broadsheet format. Tuesday and Donegal on Sunday editions are now also published in tabloid format. To the people of South Donegal, the Donegal Democrat is regarded as the local paper of record.

The editorial in the first issue set out that it was to be a "non-political paper in a world of politics, but we believed that in doing so we are doing right. We are making our bow to the public at a critical period in our national and local history and it shall be ever our object to uphold anything that, will further the national and local interests."

An Edition of The Donegal Democrat

The paper had a fairly militant, nationalist policy, which, during the Irish War of Independence, led to it being raided on several occasions by police and British soldiers, who on one occasion announced that they were looking for a 'typewriting machine". But they left on being assured that there was no such machine on the premises.

At that time the paper was completely hand set - each letter of type being placed individually - a far cry from modern computer setting. It was not surprising therefore that there were only 10 pages, measuring 9 inches by 11 inches. The paper looked much different then also, with no photos and its front page full of adverts - one of these offered a new Ford car for £120. Over those early years the paper gradually increased in size and in circulation and in 1922 got its first typesetting machine.

In 1995 the paper was bought by the Derry Journal group which in turn became part of the Trinity Mirror group. The paper is now part of the 3i holding company Local Press Ltd along side stablemates the News Letter, the Derry Journal and the Donegal People's Press.

According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations as of the end of December 2005 the Thursday edition has an average circulation of 15,437 while the Tuesday edition has a circulation of 11,669.