raphoe grianan ailigh and inch island

Signposted right, about 3km short of Lifford, is Cavanacor Historic house and Craft Centre. The River Foyle separates Lifford, from its Northern Ireland neighbour, Strabane. 
Newtowncunningham On the N15 west of Lifford is Castlefinn. Further west on this road is Killygordon, North of the town are the villages of St. Johnston and Carrigans, situated overlooking the River Foyle on the L80A/L80 road to Derry.

Your tour takes you on the N14 (Letterkenny)road from Lifford. Turn right at the junction with the N13 (Derry) road. Follow the N13 which bypasses Newtowncunningham, right. Just beyond this sign is Naomh Aenghus. Grianan of Aileach is signposted right, immediately after the church. Turn right and the first left. This will lead you to Grianan of Aileach, Aileach being the ancient over-kingdom of the Celtic Ui Neill Clan.  Standing some 253m above sea level, the ring fort commands views of the two great loughs. Swilly to the west and Foyle to the east. It is a truly magnificent, wild setting with the light constantly changing the colours and textures of water, mountain and valleys. The 23m diameter stone fort has stepped walls inside. North of Grianan lies the remains of Burt Castle, a late 16th century O'Doherty stronghold.

Return to the main N13 road and turn right through Bridgend, where the road, right takes you to Derry, and the road, left, to Burnfoot, Buncrana and the Inis Eoghain 100 Drive. Proceed to Burnfoot. Just as you clear the western end of the village there is a slip road, left, which takes you over a causeway to Inch Island. As you drive up the easten side of Lough Swilly on the Fanad Peninsula, or the western side on the Insihowen Peninsula.
The road left from the causeway leads to a marvellous wildlife wetland and good strand, while the road right leads to the pier and another strand. Return to the mainland via the causeway, and turn right if you to go back to Letterkenny or left if you wish to proceed to Inis Eoghain.

A tour, starting in Letterkenny and passing through the fertile eastern foothills of the county. This short tour incorporates a diocesan cathedral, an ancient ring fort and a wildlife sanctuary.

This Scenic Drive incorporates the following areas: Letterkenny, Convoy, Raphoe, Lifford, Newtowncunningham, Burt, Grianan Ailigh, bridgend, Burnfoot, Inch Island.