Hello all. As we plan our agenda can folks make some suggestions for these counties. Places of interest, experiences, lodging and dining all welcome. Assume we have roughly a week.
We enjoy hiking, history and off the beaten path places. Thank you all so much in advance as this forum is truly a treasure trove of information.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2279 posts
Buy yourself a good map - Ordnance Survery Ireland North covers Northern Ireland and also Donegal. (Do a google search to find other sellers.) Use this to get away from the N or R roads and onto the network of unclassified roads, particularly those on the peninsula to the west of Donegal. City . Explore the coastal route along the frm Cloghaneely (very much off the tourist beat) to Dunglow, with its small villages and unclassified roads off it
Other ideas (in no particular order...)
The stone ring fort of Grianan of Aileach isn't the easiest place to find, but is definitely worth it.
Go and find the ruined Marble Church
Plan a boat trip to Owey Island (more info here)
Check out Doe Castle.
Glencolumbkille with its and Folk Village
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2980 posts
We had good luck with the "Things to do" pull down menu on TripAdvisor for finding off-the-beaten-path attractions that we would have otherwise missed in both Sligo and Donegal, one of which was the little Glencolumbkille folk village previously mentioned. Thought we'd spend a half hour there for a quick look around and maybe lunch but enjoyed it so much that we lingered for half a day.
The site features a number of possibilities, including some suggestions for pretty hikes up to some megalithic tombs if you're looking for some exercise.
Wasley's suggestion of driving the coastal road is a good one but you may want to preview some of the drives by using the street view feature on Google maps to see what you're getting into before setting off. Many of the rural tracks can be pretty narrow and could turn into white knuckle experiences if you were unprepared.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Greater than 4 nights. 5 or 6.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
468 posts
Donegal was stunning. We were staying in Derry and rented a car to come over into Donegal for a long day. Glenveagh National Park, Bloody Foreland, Horn Head, Dunfanaghy, Killahoey Beach, Portnblagh. We visited an inn called the Mill and spoke to the owners but they weren't open for the season yet. Looked like a great place.
Posted by
Mountains of S. Oregon
741 posts
If you're going as far as Dunfanaghy, make sure you include "The Workhouse". Small museum of very well done exhibits about the famine years.
To the south, there's Devil's Staircase, the tallest waterfall in Ireland. There's only about four parking spots on a very small pullout, so you have to get lucky to get a spot.
We had a very pleasant walking tour in Donegal City.
Closer to Donegal is Salt Hill Gardens, a privately owned small walled garden. My wife, who is a Master Gardener, could have spent all day there chatting with the owner.