Landscape
Iniskeel Island
Iniskeel tidal island off Portnoo was the early ecclesiastical site of Conal Caol,
which was founded in the 6th Century AD.The ruins of two early Christian churches are to be found there.
The old graveyard contains ornamental cross slabs dating from the 7th and 8th century.
The island is accessible on foot during low tide from Narin beach.
St.Conal was both a contemporary and relative friend of Colmcille
and a friend of the distinguished blind Irish poet and scholar,
Dallan Forgaill, who was killed by a raiding party while visiting the island
and interred there beside his friend. Some of the tombstones date back two
centuries and display engravings as startling as the skull and crossbones.
Historic Railway Baile na Finne, Co. Dhún na nGall (Fintown, Co.Donegal)
This Railway is the only operational narrow gauge railway in Donegal.On the 3rdJune, 1995, the re-opening of the first section of the Fintown/Glenties Railway Restoration Project commemorated the centenary of the original opening in 1895.
An Mhuc Dhubh translates as the Black Pig. This was how locals christened the arrival of the first steam engine 100 years ago. Re live that nostalgia in Fintown amidst Donegal's most spectacular mountainous scenery set in the heart of the Gaeltacht.
You can enjoy a three-mile return trip that will take you along the beautiful waters of Lough Finn, through one of the most scenic valleys in Donegal.
Sheskin More Nature Reserve
Sheskin More is regarded as one of the most important Nature Reserves in Ireland. It encompasses an area of approximately 1,000 acres, and is situated near Kiltoorish, Rosbeg. Sheskin More is open to the public all year round and offers families and nature enthusiasts all the beautiful wonders of nature only to be found in Ireland.
Between 15-20 different types of butterflies can be seen throughout the year. Green and White Front Barnacle geese and Canadian geese can be seen in the winter time, until April when they emigrate to Greenland for the summer. Ducks and swans are regular visitors all year round and look at Sheskin More as their home.
Hunting birds such as falcons, like the Merlin and Pereqine varieties breed in Dawros Bay & Sliabh a’Toughe, and hunt in Sheskin More. Also on the hunt are the countless badgers, foxes and otters that all run wild on the reserve. Another highlight is the "Chuff", little known but regarded in ornithological circles as one of our most important native birds. It looks quite similar to a crow, but has a red beak and red legs.
Glenveagh National Park:
Glenveagh National Park ia a major visitor attraction. It lies in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains in the northwest of Co.Donegal.
The Parkland includes the two highest peaks in Donegal (Mt.Errigal and Slieve Sneacht). It also has the largest herd of Red Deer in Ireland.
There are also a lot of frequently sighted birds in the Park and the Golden Eagle was reintroduced in 2000.
The Castle is surrounded by beautiful gardens which provides the focal point for visitors to the park. The Park is particularly spectacular when the prolific Rhododendron Ponticum are in bloom in early Summer.
There are various walks and nature trails for the visitor to explore at their own leisure. Glenveagh Castle is open to the public and viewing is by guided tour only. Tours are booked on arrival at the visitor centre.
The Visitor Centre has displays explaining the Park along with an audio- visual display.
The Dolmen Eco-Tourism Centre
Kilclooney, Portnoo. The first Eco-Tourism and Community Centre in Ireland. It is a "Green" energy designed building. It is called an Eco-Tourism centre because it aims to encourage tourism in an unspoilt rural area and to promote clean, efficient use of natural resources while being used for both tourism and community activities. It has a year round integrated field studies centre and is wheelchair accessible.
The Kilclooney Dolmen
The Kilclooney Dolmen is a prehistoric burial site located beside St. Conal`s Church, Kilclooney.
Eas a`Ranca Waterfall (Assaranca Falls)
One the way to the Maghera Caves, along the seashore, you will see the falls. A Picnic area is provided at this beautiful waterfall.
Slieve League
Europe's highest sea-cliffs are to be found at Slieve League and offer a stunning view of the surrounding coastline inspiring sight of the waves and the awe from the mighty Atlantic Ocean as they crash Into the shore some 1972ft (600m) below.
Bonny Glen Wood
Bonny Glen wood is located about 8km north of Glenties on the N56 to Portnoo.There are directional signposts along the way. Facilities at Bonny Glen Wood include Picnic sites, seats and forest.
Length of trail:
Bonny Glen Loop-1km.
Lough Namanlagh Walk-3km
The site is adjacent to Bonny Glen Lough and close to the Tourist resorts of Narin and Portnoo. It is easy accessible by road from Glenties and Ardara. The whole region is one of great natural beauty and is well worth a visit.
Glengesh Pass
Ten minute`s by car from Ardara brings the visitor to Ireland's wildest mountain pass.
Port, Glencolmcille
Baile beag deas ar an taobh ó thuaidh de Ghleann Cholm Cille is ea an Port.An Port is an uninhabited townland in the north of Gleann Cholm Cille.
It is a scenic area with spectacular views out across the Atlantic and is well worth a visit. Siobhan Ni Bhaoill drowned here in 1576. Her father, Tarlach Neill, was the head of Clann Ui Bhaoill, the Boyle Clan, one of the most powerful families in west Ulster at that time. Her death is mentioned in Annala Rioghachta Eireann, historical annals compiled by a group of Franciscan scholars known as the Four Masters in the early 1600’s.
According to the annalists, Siobhan drowned when learning to swim in Abhainn an tSratha Bhui, the river which runs into the sea in An Port. Seanchas offers a different explanation of the drowning: Siobhan was engaged to marry a man she did not love and fled to An Port; he learned where she was hiding; surprised her in An Port and drowned her.
Maghera Caves&Beach
The caves are accessible at low tide.
Lough Eske
Lough Eske is approximately 12km to the north of Donegal Town and set at the foot of the majestic Bluestack mountains with waterfalls at both North and South.
Lough Eske which means Lake abounding in fish is 3 miles in width at its widest point. Lough Eske has 12 islands. The whole area is peaceful and picturesque.
This area of Donegal is rich in terms of wildlife and archaeological sites. Take an opportunity to discover this beautiful part of Donegal by taking part in the Lough Eske trails.
Dunkineely, Bruckless & St.John`s Point
The history of this area can be traced back some 5000 years, evidence of which is to be found in the castle and friary ruins, wedgetombs and ring forts located nearby.
Whilst in Dunkineely, a visit to St.John`s Point is recommended, at some six miles in length, it is one of the longest headlands in Ireland and is known as Donegal`s answer to the Burren.
Arranmore Island
Arranmore, Árainn Mhór, is in the Donegal Gaeltacht and is three miles from the Donegal mainland coast. The island scenery is characteristic of the Rosses area of Donegal with hills, rocks and small lakes dotting the landscape.
The west of the island has spectacular cliff scenery.
There has been a lighthouse on Rinrawros Point since 1798.
Tory Island
Tory island has Gaelic speakers is 11km off the mainland and has become prominent with visitors chiefly through the remarkable folk art which is being produced here. The location of the island off the north-west coast makes it ideal for bird watchers.
Other features inlcude a small, undecorated cross, a round tower and the remains of two churches, probably from the 6th century monastery said to have been founded by St Columcille. Regular Irish music sessions are held during the summer months and the annual festival is celebrated in July. The island already has a lovely hotel and is served by boats from Magheraroarty, Bunbeg, Portnablagh and Downings.