DONEGAL to LETTERKENNY
HIGHLIGHTS
- Slieve League (Sliabh Liag). The mountain that plunges into the sea from 601 meters, is one of the highest cliffs in Europe, to be conquered on foot.
- The beaches. Bordered by dunes or enclosed by rocks, Donegal’s hidden treasure are the shores: from the golden Murder Hole Beach to the white Sheskinmore.
- Eddie Doherty’s Handwoven Tweeds, Ardara. Eddie’s workshop, nearly fifty years of weaving tweed by hand.
- Horn Head (Corrán Binne). The spectacular peninsula with 200 meters high cliffs, home to seagulls and puffins.
- Fanad Head Lighthouse. A panoramic road, full of ups and downs, leads to a solitary cliff surrounded by the rough sea. Perfect also for sleeping.
- Glengesh Pass (Glean Géis). Simply breathtaking, down the road connecting Ardara to Glencolmcille, it is one of the most beautiful in Donegal.
- Errigal Mountain (An Earagail). The highest peak in Donegal, fired up with pink and orange reflections at sunset.
- Tábhairne Leo, Meenaleck. Music every night in the pub opened in 1968 by Leo Brennan, father of the Clannads and Enya.
- Castle Grove Country House, Letterkenny. A large 18th Century mansion surrounded by a lush park. Sleep overlooking Lough Swilly.
- Glencolmcille Folk Village, Glencolmcille. The local ethnographic museum protects the traditions of this remote Gaeltacht area.
AUTHOR’S TIPS
Cyndi Graham Handweaving, Dunkineely.
In a remote cottage on the St John's Point peninsula, Cindy weaves on her father's old loom.
https://www.facebook.com/cyndigrahamhandweaving/
St John's Point Lighthouse, Dunkineely.
At the end of a long peninsula, you sleep in the cottages of the lighthouse keepers. Absolute wilderness.
https://irishlandmark.com/st-johns-point-lighthouse-co-donegal/
Studio Donegal, Kilcar.
Antique wooden looms for handmade tweed fabrics, with a contemporary design.
Slieve League (Sliabh Liag), Teelin.
The mountain that plunges into the sea from 601 meters is one of the highest cliffs in Europe, to be conquered on foot.
The Rusty Mackerel, Teelin.
Open since 1832, it is the closest pub to Slieve League. Craft beers, whiskeys and gins produced in Donegal.
Sliabh Liag Boat Trips, Teelin.
A boat ride and a swim, to see all the grandeur of Slieve League from below.
https://sliabhleagueboattrips.com/
Glencolmcille Folk Village, Glencolmcille.
A beautiful ethnographic museum that preserves the traditions of the remote Gaeltacht area of Glencolmcille.
https://www.glenfolkvillage.com/
Unique Ascent
Climb cliffs and sea stacks in the middle of the sea in the most inaccessible stretches of coast of the Doengal. Pure adrenaline.
Eddie Doherty's Handwoven Tweeds, Ardara.
For almost fifty years, in Ardara, Eddie has been weaving tweed by hand, as he used to.
Nancy's Bar, Ardara.
Lots of small rooms, where you can enjoy one of the best seafood chowders in all of Donegal. Great sessions of trad music.
Sliabh Liag Distillery, Ardara.
Modern and cutting edge, it produces the traditional peaty Donegal whiskey, after almost 200 years.
Leo's Tavern (Tábhairne Leo), Crolly.
Music every night in the Crolly pub, opened in 1968 by Leo Brennan, father of Clannad and Enya.
Arranmore Charters, Arranmore.
Sea Safari off The Rosses, with sightings of seals, dolphins and sharks. Also diving and fishing trips.
Breac.House B&B, Dunfanaghy.
On the way to Horn Head, a contemporary b&b, surrounded by nature. Endless views.
Patsy Dan's Bar, Dunfanaghy.
Small traditional pub on the main street offering a roaring fire, with low ceilings and good music, most nights.
https://dunfanaghy.info/patsy-dans-bar
Wild Atlantic Camp, Creeslough.
To sleep in large tents or cottages with panoramic windows, surrounded by nature.
https://www.wildatlanticcamp.ie/
The Olde Glen Bar, Carrigart.
It is one of the oldest pubs and restaurants in Donegal and dates back to 1768, with fireplaces and live music.
The Singing Pub, Downings.
A small thatched-roof cottage and lots of traditional music on the Atlantic Drive of the Rosguill Peninsula.
Fanad Head Lighthouse.
Surrounded by an impetuous sea, it can be reached on winding, panoramic road. Also available for sleeping.
Frewin Country House, Ramelton.
An ivy-covered country house, with fireplaces, library and charming rooms.
Ross Fine Art Gallery, Ramelton.
Contemporary art gallery with an arts and crafts store.
Castle Grove Country House, Letterkenny.
Sleep in the eighteenth-century mansion overlooking Lough Swilly and surrounded by a large park.
Thyme Out Tea Room, Glenveagh Castle.
In the courtyard of the castle, a lovely tearoom, with superb homemade cakes and scones with local ingredients.
