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Donegal - worth a night's stay?

We are starting our trip in dublin for two nights, then picking up a car and driving north, stopping at new grange then staying overnight at Portrush, doing the Giant's Causeway and the rope bridge the next day before heading west. We have been recommended to stay in Donegal the next night. Seems like the high points are Donegal Castle and Glenvagh National Park and Castle. Has anyone been there? Recommend?

Posted by
1814 posts

We stayed five nights in Donegal town a few years ago. From there we did day trips to Giants' Causeway and Derry town, stone circles in County Sligo and the Ceide Fields, and spent two days exploring County Donegal including the Slieve League Cliffs which are higher and more atmospheric than the Cliffs of Moher.

We enjoyed our time in Donegal, although in retrospect four nights would have been enough. We had the impression that Donegal would be very remote, but it really didn't feel that way when we were there. It's full of holiday homes. If you want remote, try the area out around the Ceide Fields

This was our fourth trip to Ireland. If this is your first or second, I think your time is better spent exploring the west coast, especially the peninsulas in the southwest. I would spend one night in Drogheda or similar to explore the New Grange area, then head west for the rest of the trip. Clonmacnoise abbey makes a good mid-day stop when crossing Ireland..

Posted by
14 posts

thank you! On our first trip we did Ennis, Galway, Aran Islands, Dingle, part of the ring, Killarney and Adare. Based on what you did, I will definitely keep Donegal on the itinerary - maybe even bump to two nights - thank you!

Posted by
771 posts

I just saw that the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is now requiring timed-entry tickets, which can only be obtained the morning of your visit (not online, either.) You might head there first thing after leaving Portrush, and if you can't go across then, you can choose a time that's open. Then go to Gaint's Causeway and return to Carrick-a-Rede at your appointed time. They are pretty close together. Another awesome thing to see just past the Giant's Causeway is Dunluce Castle, situated on the edge of a cliff. Lots of dramatic history.

Posted by
138 posts

Don't miss the Reel Inn, great music sessions, lots of musicians when we were there including an incredible tenor. On Thursday night he sang songs about Irish martyrs, on Friday night there were lots of British tourists and he sang Red is the Rose and Danny Boy. We were there in 2011 but I recently saw a reference to the Reel Inn on a travel show.