Travel to County Donegal, Ireland

Arguably the most picturesque location in all of Ireland, County Donegal has inspired writers, artists and the occasional traveler who vows never to return home after traveling here.

It is stark and vivid, with raw sea cliffs, barren mountains, jagged peninsulas, miles of green pastures, isolated coastline and moist weather that leaves a chill in the air. Donegal is organic and real, a must-visit destination for anyone hoping to escape from the hustle and bustle of Europe’s busy cities and get a feel for the authentic Irish countryside.

Though Donegal is the second largest county in the country, it is virtually unvisited and primarily populated by small farms and fishing boats. Glencolmcille Peninsula is the most visited area of the county, but visitors should also visit the Rosguill and Inishowen peninsulas. The Grianán Ailigh, one of the most beautiful 20^th-century churches in all of Ireland, is located on Inishowen. Its seating is arranged concentrically and sunlight is able to beam directly onto the altar. Tory Island, located 12km north of the mainland, is difficult to reach and therefore a hub of rich Irish culture.

Further inland, Errigal Mountain, Lough Beagh and Lough Gartan are particularly stunning and worth a checking out. Travelers looking for some exercise may enjoy a couple hours or even a whole day hiking up the ridge of Slieve League, which overlooks the Amharc Mór. These are supposedly the highest marine cliffs in Europe, and on a clear day, nearly one-third of Ireland can be seen from the peak.

Malin Head, Ireland’s northernmost point, is rocky and weather-battered with few services. A cliff-top tower sits at the very edge of the tip, which is known as Banba’s Crown. A path from this area leads to Hell’s Hole, a chasm where the sea waters crash along the shore. Malin Head is a great place for bird watching; many endangered species live here including the corncrake, choughs, snow bunting and puffins.

Though County Donegal is known primarily for its exquisite natural beauty, travelers may want to stop by Donegal town and Letterkenny for a feel of “city life” here. Three-thousand people call Donegal town home, and it is the largest small village in Northwest Ireland. Visitors may want to check out Donegal Castle and the Franciscan Abbey before moving on to an afternoon of shopping, which is the town’s most popular attraction.

Letterkenny is the largest city in Donegal and offers a mix of historical sites, industrial growth and thriving nightlife. The Cathedral of Saints Eunan and Columba is beautiful simply for its architecture while the Donegal County Museum offers further information about the history of the city and county as a whole. An Grianán, the local theatre, is rumored to be one of Ireland’s best music venues. The city’s countless bars often have live music on the weekends.

Donegal town and Letterkenny serve as hubs to an extensive system of public and private bus services, though transportation to some of the more isolated and harder-to-reach areas in County Donegal can only be accessed by car.

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