A good route in Donegal

Monty · Senior Member

A good route in Donegal

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Some key trip reports on the area:

Bit (Cowboy Craic)
http://ireland.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=65127&p=3&topicID=28457962

Stewh (Stewart):
http://ireland.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=65127&p=3&topicID=18259682

Dude (Judy):
http://ireland.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=65127&p=3&topicID=13680486

Mine :
http://ireland.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=65127&p=3&topicID=12825158

A GREAT, under-visited part of Ireland! biggrin

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Monty,

Good for you going off the usual tourist track to other wonderful places in Ireland. As with every place in Ireland there is much to do and see in each area.

Sligo is very scenic with its beaches, waterfalls and mountains. If you are into ancient history you should try to see Carrowmore, Creevykeel and perhaps Carrowkeel. If you don't mind a steep hike the view from Knocknarea is outstanding. A little north of Sligo off the main Donegal road is the Gleniff Horseshoe Drive. Well worth seeing. Then there is Strandhill, Rosses Point, Glencar Waterfall, Parkes Castle, Drumcliff. Stop into the tourist office for more suggestions as this is just the tip of the iceberg.

On the drive north to Donegal be sure to stop at Rossnowlagh beach. The whole coastline is extremely beautiful. I highly recommend Glenveagh Castle and Gardens.

Michele

Monty · Senior Member

Thanks! I'm starting the research... smile

Monty

Andi · Senior Member

I toured Donegal on my bike a few years ago. The entire coastline is outstanding. The route through Glenculmkille, Ardara, Glengesh Pass and Glenties to Glenveagh National Park is beautiful if you like big, empty spaces. The House and Gardens at the park are beautiful. Donegal is a larger, more mountainous and rugged landscape than some others in Ireland.

Some of the towns (Ramelton, Rathmullan) in the eastern part of the county are different from others. They are more planned and "english-seeming" in character.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Monty,

There is so much to see and do in Donegal. You could spend several weeks there and not see and experience it all. I would wish you good weather but my idea of good weather is "soft days" and most think sunny skies when they think good weather.

I would recommend that you visit the smaller towns.

Ardara (Ar-Dra) is my favorite. The town is small and the people are welcoming. His small town, some say, is the birthplace of Tweed. You will find a lot of handcrafts there, knitting, tweeds, etc. It has a great Riverwalk along the Owentocher river. I had just missed the "Cup of Tae" by a day. It is a great Trad festival held usually on the first weekend in May.

For an off-the-beaten path experience, you might look to Arranmore Island. YOu catch a 20 minute Ferry ride from Burtonport to get there.

Annagry is also a great small village, it is in the heart of Co. Donegal's Irish language country with Rannafast just at its doorstep . They have great summer sessions in Rannafast for the language.

Ballyshannon is a great border town to visit if you want to pickuop some unique pottery or china, try Celtic Weave or Donegal Parian china, if they are still up and running.

I will leave off there...your eyes are probably quite weary.

Slan Beo,

Bit

-- Edited by CowboyCraic on Friday 12th of February 2010 12:33:05 PM

Monty · Senior Member

Much thanks for the many ideas. I have heard good things about several of the villages you mention, and in fact Ballyshannon has an interesting Web site I recently found that paints the town in a good light.

I'm excited. smile

Have you been to Leo's Tavern? That's Enya's father's place, right? It's up in that region somewhere.

Monty

CowboyCraic · Guru

Monty,

Leo's is located in Meenaleck, Co. Donegal, which is also in the Donegal Gaeltacht area between Rannafast and Gweedore. It is indeed where Moya, Enya and Clannad got their starts. I have enjoyed some rollicking trad seissuns there.

They are just now working on a new website for the tavern. I will post here when the website is up and running.

By the way, You have picked a wonderful time of year to visit the Northwest, as I think the Fall season is spectacular there.

Slan Beo,

Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

Donegal Parian China was bought by Belleek. Celtic Weave is still around. Last time I was in Sneem I noticed they had a small shop there too.

Michele

wojazz3 · Guru

I highly recommend a trip up to Fanad Head. The setting for that Lighthouse is a spectacular as you will find. I stayed on Cruit Island once for 6 days and had a fantastic time. I've also stayed in Dunfanaghy and Killybegs.

The ride up to Bunglass cliffs (Slieve League) is not one for the faint of heart but the views are outstanding. There used to be a gate part way up, but just open it and drive through, closing the gate behind you. The winds can be fierce up there and the road is narrow with no guard rails but it's really worth the medication you will have to take when it's all over.

Follow the R263 west from Killybegs and anytime you see a sign for the scenic route, take it. Amazing drive.

Bill

Michele Erdvig · Host

Monty,

Just to add to the Donegal portion:

Horn Head
Inishowen Peninsula
St. John's Point
The Rosses
All the various peninsulas

You may just have to go back again!

CowboyCraic · Guru

The road up to the top parking area at the Cliffs has been quite improved. It has been widened a bit, paved and there are pull-outs. I was pleasantly surprised when I was there last May. Also, the only time that they lock the gates is dusk to dawn or during really severe weather.

murphy · Guru

We were there in August, and the gate was closed, but not locked. This was due to sheep grazing in the surrounding summer pasture. It was just a minor inconvenience to have to open the gate considering the out-of-this-world views that lie just beyond! Dan