tourist attractions around south west donegal

Just off the R259 a small bridge will allow access to Cruit Island. The island hosts a nine-hole golf course. Whether or not you play golf a trip to the island is highly recommended. The wild bog and reed beds are a haven for wildlife and the views of the bay, particularly the cliff views from the Golf Club south to Arranmore Island are memorable....

Franciscan Friary:
On the seashore south of the town are the scanty remains of a Franciscan Friary founded by the first Red Hugh O'Donnell and his wife Nuala O'Brien in 1474. Of the church only the chancel and a gable of the south transept remain. Better preserved are the remnants of the cloister arcade.
The English seized and fortified the Friary in 1591 but were driven out the following year by Red Hugh O'Donnell. Ten years later, the English seized it again. During a battle...

Situated midway between Dungloe and Burtonport is Lough Meela. Meela hugs the rugged coast of west Donegal. The lake is in a rock strewn blanket bog setting.
Meela is well known for it's trout fishing....

Donegal Castle is located in Donegal town in County Donegal in the Northwest of Ireland. The Castle is situated in the centre of the town on a rock outcrop overlooking the River Eask. It was built by one of the O'Donnell chieftains in the 15th century.
Donegal Castle was the residence of the O'Donnell Family, who were originally loyal subjects of Queen Elizabeth I. This changed when the last of the family "Red" Hugh O'Donnell, with his friend, Hugh O'Neill rebelled and fought a bloody n...

Located in the heart of South Donegal the Blue Stack Mountains contain several lofty peaks. All around the scenery is magnificent. Tumbling streams, waterfalls and rugged exhilarating scenery abound....

A relatively docile and short river that has its source in central south Donegal and flows to the sea at Ardara....

Located in southeast Donegal and skirted by the Ulster Way, Barnesmore Gap is formed by the space between Barnesmore and Croaghconnellagh....

The Lough Derg Centre, a heritage centre located on Main Street, Pettigo, encourages the visitor to explore the Celtic origins of St Patrick's Purgatory, Lough Derg. This archaic sanctuary which so fascinated the medieval world that it drew penitents and pilgrims from every corner of the known world is recreated in the exhibits and presentations on display.

Lough Derg has inspired poets throughout the ages and extracts of these poems are used as an alternative to the traditional sto...

The boat trip to Aaronmore takes about 20 minutes and there is a year-round service to this Island which takes about 900 people, with boats running hourly during the summer months. You could easily encounter a traditional music session in one of the six pubs and there are oppertunities to admire and purchase the local crafts, including Aran Hand-knits.

Lovely walks near the spectacular cliffs North and West, present magnificent views on all sides. There are several small lakes with Lou...

Visible on the R259 between Annagry and Burtonport are the distinctive conical shapes of the higher peaks of the beautiful Derryveagh Mountains....