CéAD MíLE FáIlTE!
At Donegal Square, our goal is to bring you the very best of Ireland and the British Isles—just as if you were visiting with friends and family… no passport required! Stay a while, browse around, and let us share the story of Donegal Square: a true Celtic destination in the heart of Bethlehem.
A Hundred Thousand Welcomes
Special thanks! -
Matterport Tour scanned by the Open Doors to the Arts team from Centennial School of Lehigh University.
Beyond the treasures we carry, we are dedicated to educating our community about Celtic heritage, customs, and history—the very heart of why we created Donegal Square. The Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania were built in part by generations of Celtic immigrants, many of whom take great pride in their origins. We’re here to help connect those missing links, honor the past, and celebrate the traditions that still shape us today.
Take a virtual tour of our Beloved Donegal Square shop
Donegal Square takes its name from the Georgian square surrounding Belfast’s iconic City Hall. After graduating from Queen’s University Belfast, I worked as a Civil Engineer in an old sandstone building opposite this historic landmark. Naming the shop after this location felt like a fitting tribute to Northern Ireland—one that any native of the region would recognize.
The inspiration for Donegal Square was born from a desire to bring high-quality, handmade tweeds and woolens from Ireland—Donegal in particular—to a new audience.
InspiREd by BelFAST
City Hall- Belfast, Northern Ireland
Growing up in Northern Ireland, my family history was deeply connected to both Irish and Scottish ancestry. My mother’s McCarthy family hailed from County Cork before settling in Hillsborough, County Down in the late 1700s. My father’s Gardner lineage originated in Ayrshire, Scotland, with my grandfather Rabbie arriving in Lambeg, County Antrim, around 1935.
Our heritage shaped my love for Celtic traditions, inspiring me to share that history and craftsmanship with the world.
Roots in CEltic heritAge
Bantry Bay, County Cork
While working as a Civil Engineer in Allentown, Pennsylvania, balancing career and travel home to Ireland was a challenge. When my father was diagnosed with a terminal illness, I made the life-changing decision to start a business that would allow me to return to Ireland and the UK regularly.
Donegal Square opened its doors in February 1985, bringing a curated selection of authentic Irish and Celtic goods to the Lehigh Valley.
The Birth of Donegal Square - 1985
Donegal Square Shop, Late 1980's
Donegal Square quickly grew beyond its original space, leading to two relocations to accommodate our expanding selection of Celtic sweaters, tweeds, and handcrafted goods. By 1996, we settled into our current Main Street location, transforming it into a true Celtic destination.
Beyond selling products, we realized our customers were drawn to the stories behind Celtic culture, history, and folklore. From ancient symbols like the Celtic Cross and Claddagh to artifacts like the Ardagh Chalice, the heritage of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and beyond became an integral part of our brand.
Growth & Expansion
Bantry Bay, County Cork
In 1997, we introduced McCarthy’s Tea Room, adding another layer to Donegal Square. Over time, it evolved into McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar, a vibrant space where people could experience the flavors and hospitality of Ireland firsthand.
Both businesses support the craft and food industries in Ireland and the UK, importing "all the best from Ireland and the British Isles" to the Lehigh Valley.
From Tea Room to Whiskey Bar
Hey, I'm Neville,
The founder and great manifester behind Donegal Square.
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At age 11, I sold a farmer’s wife a bra in the Ladies Dress Shop that my Mum ran in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. So began my entrepreneurial adventure. Fairly early on I knew a career involving entrepreneurship, sales, and being around people was in the cards for me.
Growing up in Lambeg, a small village eight miles from Belfast, I was reared partly by my Granny McCarthy while my Mum went to work. My Mum and Dad had gone to work early in life with no opportunity for advanced education because of their family circumstances and the outbreak of World War II. Even though my parents didn’t have an abundance of money, there was always food on the table. Great breads, scones and baked goods were always part of my upbringing.
Sports have always been a huge part of my life, and because of my love for them I managed to get a Grammar School Education by receiving a scholarship (which also enabled me to participate in all the sports I enjoyed). When I first came to the USA to live, following a trans-Atlantic field hockey romance, I was drawn to the idea of importing the things from Ireland and the UK that I missed the most. Following a period of experimenting with importing tweeds and knitwear for wholesale, I realized there was potential for a business in the Lehigh Valley. The ultimate goal for my wife and I (I married a local woman, Linda Shay, the same woman from the trans-Atlantic field hockey romance back in 1978) was to create a comfortable, friendly, warm atmosphere with a rich cultural experience — as if you were visiting Ireland.
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The Donegal Square building has a history of its own. Constructed shortly after Bethlehem’s founding in 1741, it once served as a recovery site for Marquis de Lafayette, who was wounded at the Battle of Brandywine in 1777 during the Revolutionary War.
Legend has it that Lafayette was nursed back to health by the landowner’s daughter—sparking whispers of a deeper connection between them.
The Donegal Square building has a history of its own.
American history Beneath Our Feet
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interested in paranormal history? read the spirited legacy of our pub
Celebrate with us
From registries, and event spaces, to Kilt rentals and more - discover how we can help with any occasion.
Weddings & Rentals
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Learn about our guided tours to Ireland and the British Isles
Guided Tours
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Shop All Donegal Square Has to Offer - Right From Home
