Stand on the brink of a cliff or visit a picturesque coastal town. Here are some of the top things to see and do in Donegal.
Donegal is one of Ireland’s most distinctive counties. It is located in the country’s northwestern quarter and is the Emerald Isle’s fourth-largest county by area.
The county of Tr Chonaill, or Dn na nGall in Irish, is famed for its stunning scenery, small Irish villages, quiet beaches, clinquant coastlines, and a deeply rooted Irish culture.
This county is filled with attractions and natural beauty, from the spectacular Sliabh Liag Cliffs to the sumptuous Lough Eske Castle, the historic Donegal Castle to the mysterious Murder Hole Beach. The following are the top ten things to do in Donegal.
Buncrana
Buncrana is a very accessible town for travellers, as it is only 43 kilometres (27 miles) from Letterkenny, Donegal’s largest city.
Buncrana was chosen because it rests on the banks of Lough Swilly, producing a gorgeous setting typical of the county, with views of the town, the sea, and the hills.
Lough Swilly is one of only three glacial fjords in Ireland, located on the western side of the Inishowen Peninsula. Close to Buncrana, Fort Dunree and Grianán of Aileach are both worth seeing.
Malin Head
A journey to Malin Head, on the Inishowen Peninsula, is one of the top things to do in Donegal. It has the title of being the most northern point on the island of Ireland, with breathtaking views.
Malin Head is a great place to start your journey along the Wild Atlantic Way. Even better, when the Millennium Falcon rested on the rocks in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Malin Head was shown.
Malin Head, near the point of the Inishowen Peninsula, is also a great place to see the Northern Lights due to its northern and lonely location.
Slieve League
The Slieve League cliffs, or Sliabh Liag, rise to a height of almost 600 metres, more than a kilometre higher than the iconic Cliffs of Moher, and climb the Atlantic Ocean below.
Take the long hike to the cliff’s edge, where designated overlooks provide panoramic views of the Atlantic, Donegal Bay, and the Sligo Mountains. This is a must-see destination that is only an hour’s journey from Donegal Town.
Mount Errigal
Mount Errigal is unquestionably one of Ireland’s most recognisable symbols. Errigal mountain, which stands at 751 metres and is located near Gweedore town, towering over the wide green area below.
Errigal is the county’s highest mountain and the biggest member of the Derryveagh family, with a piercing summit that glitters in white snow throughout the winter months.
Errigal is without a doubt one of the nicest spots to visit in Donegal, with breathtaking views for kilometres. As a result, it is a must-see for adventurers.
Wild Atlantic Way
One of the finest things to do in Donegal is to travel along its section of the Wild Atlantic Way, which is full of breathtaking beaches, historic ruins, mountain ranges, and secluded islands that will leave you speechless.
Visit the Slieve League Cliffs (Sliabh Liag), Tory Island, a secluded island off the coast of Dongeal, Grianán an Aileach, and Malin Head, among other magnificent sites. We guarantee that you will not be dissatisfied.
Fanad Head Lighthouse
Fanad Head is a Gaeltacht region (where Irish is spoken) on the eastern side of the Fanad Peninsula, therefore it encompasses the finest of what this beautiful county has to offer.
The Fanad Head Lighthouse, located at the extreme tip of Donegal’s coastline, tiptoes about the rocky borders, affording scenic vistas and maintaining a vigilant eye over both Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay.
Along with the Fanad Lighthouse, the Glenevin Waterfall, Portsalon Beach, a gorgeous Blue Flag Beach, and a short drive to Murder Hole Beach, one of Ireland’s most remote beaches, are all must-sees on Fanad Head.
