Few people realise that the world-famous hymn Amazing Grace has a powerful connection to Lough Swilly and the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal.

This quiet stretch of water, whose name comes from the Irish Loch Súilí (“Lake of Shadows”), played a pivotal role in the life of John Newton (1725–1807) — the man who would later write one of the most recognised hymns in the English-speaking world.

The Storm of 1748

In 1748, Newton was serving aboard the slave ship Greyhound when it was caught in a violent Atlantic storm. The ship was badly damaged and close to sinking. Fearing for his life, Newton prayed for deliverance.

After days battling the storm, the vessel finally reached the safety of Lough Swilly. For Newton, this moment marked the beginning of a profound personal awakening. He later described this experience as the start of his spiritual conversion.

Although he continued at sea for several years, the events off the coast of Inishowen never left him.

From Slave Trader to Abolitionist

Newton eventually left the sea and became an Anglican clergyman. Over time, he publicly renounced his involvement in the slave trade and became a supporter of abolition. His later writings and sermons reflected deep remorse and a belief in redemption and grace.

In 1772, while serving in Olney, England, he wrote the hymn “Amazing Grace” to accompany a New Year’s Day sermon. First published in 1779, the hymn’s message of forgiveness and spiritual renewal resonated far beyond its original congregation.

Today, “Amazing Grace” remains one of the most recorded and performed hymns in history.

Lough Swilly’s Place in the Story

While the hymn itself was written years later, Lough Swilly is widely regarded as the place where Newton’s transformation began. The calm waters of this Donegal lough provided refuge after the storm — a moment of survival that would ultimately influence one of the most enduring religious songs ever written.

For visitors exploring the history of Inishowen, Lough Swilly is not only a place of outstanding natural beauty but also a location of international cultural significance.

The story of Amazing Grace adds another powerful layer to the rich maritime and spiritual heritage of Inishowen — a landscape where history, legend and faith have intersected for centuries.