Come Visit Donegal, Ireland

The name Donegal comes from the Irish ‘Dun na nGall’ meaning ‘fort of the foreigner’. Donegal presents an ever-changing spectacle of landscapes and seascapes set against a backdrop of mountains and moors. The county bears evidence of traditional Irish culture everywhere. A rugged, vast coastline softened regularly by a succession of beautiful beaches with golden sand and clear fresh waters is what Donegal is famous for. Inland, the county is wild and unspoiled with winding roads leading to never-ending spectacular vistas.

Best Time to Visit

The most popular and arguably the best time to tour Donegal is the summer. The county is simply gorgeous during this time of year. Summer is when all attractions are open and offer the longest hours. Temperatures stay comfortably warm and breezy during the day and drop to that perfect light-sweater temperature at night. You’ll still get caught in the rain, but it will be a bearable, if not pleasant and refreshing, experience. But do consider the hotel’s high-season rates as a cover charge for the great weather.

Places to Visit

Ireland’s most northerly county has little in common with its neighbors in the Republic, either geographically or historically. Donegal’s supreme appeal lies in the natural beauty of its coast, with windswept peninsulas, precipitous cliffs and a host of golden beaches that rival any in Europe.

Ballyloughan House & Gardens

Inaugurated in 1905; the south facing semi-wild garden on Donegal Bay sheltered from the sea by mature woodland. You will surely be mesmerized by the cliff-top paths with lovely views. The huge 100 years old weeping beech overlooking stream borders the fruit and vegetable garden. Many spring flowering shrubs, acid-loving shrubs such as Rhododendron, Azalea, Magnolia and plants like Rodgersis and Primula can be found in plenty here.

Donegal Abbey

The remains of the Donegal Abbey are picturesquely situated at the mouth of the River Eske. The abbey is actually a 15th century Franciscan house. This abbey near Donegal town is perhaps most well known as the place where the Four Masters gathered to plan and write the Irish Annals. They are commemorated by an obelisk in the Diamond, Donegal’s market square. The only recognizable parts of the ruins today are the south transept, choir, and parts of the cloisters.

Donegal Castle

The Castle was built in 1505 by the O’Donnell family who were the ruling Gaelic family in Donegal for over a thousand years. The rectangular tower was then occupied by Sir Basil Brooke who transformed it by adding gables and windows and making the first floor into a banqueting hall complete with a Jacobean fireplace bearing his coat of arms. Beside the Tower Sir Basil built a southern facing manor house and reinforced the bawn-wall surrounding the Castle.

St. Patrick’s Purgatory

Pettigo is a village where the border separating the Republic of Ireland from Northern Ireland runs. It is a handsome village and is the main centre for pilgrims visiting Lough Derg. The village has received pilgrims from all over Europe since early Christian times. Only pilgrims are allowed on the island, known as St. Patrick’s, during the summer pilgrimage season. The Octagonal church here which can be seen from the mainland was built in 1921.

Dunfanaghy

Located on a flat, narrow connector in the shelter of Horn Head, Dunfanaghy used to be a fishing village until its harbor silted up. It has now turned to tourism, attracting visitors to its long sandy beaches and sailing, surfing and water-skiing facilities. Sport fishing is also available in this small village of approximately 280 inhabitants.

Donegal County Museum

Donegal County Museum was first opened to the public in 1987. The museum preserves and celebrates the collective memory of the county and its communities through the display, preservation and interpretation of artifacts. It aims to make the community live through these objects. The artifacts in this museum dates back from the prehistoric to the early medieval periods.

Glenveagh National Park

Glenveagh National Park is one of six national parks in Ireland. Situated in the Northwest of Co. Donegal, Glenveagh encompasses some 16,000 acres in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains. Such a great wilderness is the haunt of many interesting plants and animals. Glenveagh Castle is a 19th Century, castellated mansion and was built between 1867 and 1873. Its construction in a remote mountain setting was inspired by the Victorian idyll of a romantic highland retreat. Access is available by tour only. Morning and afternoon teas are served in the castle tearooms.

Lough Derg

Lough Derg is a unique place of peace. In today’s modern world where everything is fast and instant; Lough Derg still manages to maintain calm where people have to move more slowly, where the mind can be stilled. This small island offers no distractions, no artificialities, but instead a warm welcome, for nobody is a stranger here.

Maghera Caves and Port

While approaching Ardara, you can find the Maghera Caves. It is not just the spectacular caves, the chemistry of dark sea caves, the wide, dazzling silver beach – the amalgamation of all these give you an astonishing sense of being transported to a magical wilderness.

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