Carndonagh is the “Hub” of Inishowen. It is the site of the Donagh Cross (or St. Patrick's Cross), believed to date back to the 7th century. The name, Carn Domhnach, means "the cairn or mound of the church".

The town is built around the Diamond and is dominated by the Church of the Sacred Heart built in 1945. It towers above the town centre where four roads from the main compass points meet.  Stone Masons from all over Ireland worked on this church. The Church of Ireland stands a short distance away on the site of a church founded by St Patrick.

Carndonagh is a market town boasts fine restaurants and pubs. It also has an excellent choice of supermarkets, banks and a wide variety of smaller retail outlets.