Fun things to do in Donegal

Glenveagh National Park is set along the Derryveagh Mountains in the North West Corner of Donegal. With over 16,000 hectares of mountains, lakes and woodland, the park offers the ultimate getaway for outdoor enthusiasts, families in search of adventure or those who seek peace and tranquility.
Glenveagh National Park is open to the public all year round. The facilities however (visitor centre, restaurant, castle tea room) are closed from October to March.
Cars are not allowed beyond the visitor centre area, where there is a large car park. A minibus service runs regularly between the visitor centre and the castle, a journey of 3,5km. Tickets can be purchased at the visitor centre or the castle admissions desk. The bus route, which will take you along the lakeshore provides excellent views of the glen, mountains and lake.
Explore the miles of trails or walks :
A track from the castle to the head of the glen is a pleasant walk along the lake shore, through oak woodland and upwards into the open mountain land. The is a short path (less than 1km) from the old sawmill beyond the castle to a amazing outlook point above the castle. The nature trail, which starts near the visitor centre is 2km long. It passes through both palted and native woods and beautiful views of the lake and the castle in the distance.
Guided walks led by park rangers in June, July & August, and there is a guided 6-hour hill walk every month from March to October.
Guided tours of the gardens are available by appointment with the head gardener.

The Park contains the peaks of the two highest mountains in Co. Donegal, Errigal (752m) and Slieve Snaght (683m). The steep sided valley of Glenveagh holds the 5.5km-long Lough Veagh.

Arainn Mhor (Arranmore)is an island of seven square miles situated just 3 miles off the coast of Donegal. The car ferry en route from the mainland port of Ailt an Chorrain (Burtonport) passes between a cluster of smaller islands on its swift, twenty-minute crossing.
Some 600 people are resident on the island, though the population rises to 1,500 in the summer as migrant workers return and tourist visit. Most of the islanders are native Irish speakers. The Irish language is very important to the people of Arainn Mhor and most inhabitants are fluent speakers.

Places of Interest:

The Glen Hotel (historic pub)

The Lighthouse at Rinawros Point (rock arches and seacaves can be seen nearby)

Arainn Mhor & Beaver Island Memorial

Lough an Chomnaigh (Cowan's Lake) (the lake serves as the islands reservoir and is one of the few lakes in Europe where rainbow trout breed naturally

Cnoc an Lolair ('hill of the eagle') (750ft) is the islands highest point. White tailed Sea Eagles bred here in the past.

Cliffs up to 120 metres high all along the west and north coast of the isalnd.

Visit three of the islands beaches at Leadhb Gharbh (ferry pier) and at Athport and Traigh an Chaisil on the south coast.

Activities:

Walking, Cyclling, camping, birdwatching, boating, deep-sea-angling, lake-angling, diving, rockclimbing

Nightlife:

there are six pubs on the island, they all have music in the summer and turf fires

Smugglers niteclub: discos at weekend and durign the summer

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Narin Beach is a 3 mile stretch of fine white sand, the beach has blue-flag status again this year and is safe for swimming.
At the end of the 3 mile stretch you come to some black rocks, with rock pools.
When the tide is out you can walk over to the island of Inniskeel (see tip) on it, you will find an old graveyard and a derelict small church.

The Grianan of Aileach, built ca. 1700BC, is one of the most remarkable and important monuments ever to be erected by the ancient Irish, being the place of the Irish Kings from the earliest age of history down to the start of the 12th century. It was a one-time residence of the O'Neills of Ulster.

The Fort is situated in Co. Donegal, about 7 miles from Derry on the summit of a hill, 802 feet high.

There are steps on the inside leading to the top of the fort, from where there is a panoramic view of several counties.
It is one of four ancient Forts in Co. Donegal and 6 has been kept in good condition. Of the other 3 stoneforts, one is under water in Lough Annagh near Glenties (the waterlevel of the Loch was raised for watersupply. Another one is on an island in Lough Doon and can be reached by rowing boat. (tip and photo to follow)
The fourth fort was near the village of Cloughan along the road from Glenties to Ballybofey but is now derelict.

(photograph to follow)

the diamond is in the center of donegal town. pictured is an obelisk that commemorates four franciscan monks who wrote the annals of the four masters in the 1630's. this work traced the history of the gaelic people from 40 days before the great flood up to the 16th century.

locatated on quay street just past the public parking lot is the ruins of donegal abbey. it is on a small hill overlooking the river eske. built in 1474 all that remains are a few gothic windows and cloister arches. it has a beautiful cemetery with a interesting collection of irish crosses.

this historic castle dates back to the 15th century. there are several jacobean additions added by sir basil burke after the ouster of the o' donnells in 1607. burke was was responsible for laying out the diamond square which today is the center of donegal town. open to the public.

In Diamond, the center of the town, stands an obelisk erected for the memory of the Four Masters. The four franciscan monks wrote on the 17th century the book "Annala Riochta Erenann", more commonly know as Annals of the Four Masters. The book covers the history of Ireland from 2242 BC to 1616AD.

In the center of the town a triangular marketplace is flanked on each side by houses with streets radiating from each side. The streets are full of pubs and restaurants. Many pubs have live music on evenings.

Some shops worth visiting:
- Magees tailor shop
- The Craft Shop, sells crafts from all over Ireland
- Four Masters Bookshop, sells books of Irish interest, postcards, art supplies etc.
- Ward’s Music Shop, Irish music instruments