About County Donegal
County Donegal is located in the north west corner of Ireland. It's a county that boasts a raw natural beauty with its jagged coastline, blanket bogs, mountains, cliffs, lakes and stunning golden beaches. It also has two inhabited offshore islands (Aranmore and Tory Island), a national park and lots of historical attractions.
The Slieve League Cliffs in Donegal have been voted the 8th recommended place to visit in Ireland 2009 by Lonely Planet. They are the highest sea cliffs in Europe! (See pic above)
What to see and do
County Donegal is brimming with things to see and do. It's a haven for outdoor activities so take the time to enjoy a round of golf, a spot of fishing, hiking, horseriding or surfing. Hire a car and take to the Donegal roads, as this is the best way to explore this fascinating county. There are lots of driving routes in County Donegal with the most popular probably being Inishowen, which is a scenic drive around the Inishowen peninsula taking in Malin Point - Ireland's most northerly point.
Popular attractions to look out for on your travels include Glenveagh National Park - a nature reserve with 40,873 acres of woodland, glens, gardens and a 19th century castle. The Slieve League Cliffs are an exciting experience especially if you take the 8km drive along its hairpin bends as they are said to be the highest cliff face in Europe! Or you could also visit Lough Derg - a popular place of pilgrimage, where St.Patrick is said to have stayed in a cave during his time as a missionary in Ireland.
Other attractions not to miss include Glencolmcille Folk Village and Museum, Colmcille Heritage Centre, Donegal County Museum, the Glebe House and Gallery, Ardara Heritage Centre, Donegal Castle and Newmills Corn and Flax Mills.
Donegal's towns
Letterkenny is the largest town in County Donegal where you can visit attractions like St. Eunan's Cathedral, Colmcille Heritage Centre and the county museum. You can also enjoy some shopping here with lots of retail stores and craft shops or maybe check out Letterkenny's infamous nightlife scene. Bundoran is one of Ireland's best loved seaside resorts. It's a vibrant town, popular for its golf courses, waterworld and of course its golden sandy beach. Other charming towns include Bunbeg, Killybegs, Rathmelton , Dungloe and the picturesque town of Buncrana, which is a family favourite seaside destination.
Because of Donegal's geographical location, tucked away in the north west corner, you'll find a landscape of unspoilt natural beauty where time has stood still. Irish culture and even the Irish language have remained very much alive in County Donegal. It's the perfect destination for you if you're looking for somewhere to sample the true beauty, culture and heritage of Ireland.
How to get to County Donegal
If you are travelling by car to County Donegal you can take one of three main primary routes. The N15 coastal road from County Sligo, the N2-N14 from County Dublin (via Monaghan), or the A6/N13 from Belfast city and County Derry.
You can also get a bus connection to Donegal or a direct flight into Donegal Airport. Aer Arann operates between here and Dublin Airport twice daily with a flight time of about 40 minutes.
Featured Attraction - Donegal Castle
This superb 15th century castle can be found at the very heart of Donegal town. It was once the stronghold of one of the most powerful families in Ireland, the O'Donnell Clan. Read more on Donegal Castle