tourist attractions donegal

Unique interpretative exhibition featuring the life and times of St. Comcille (Columba) Patriarch of the Irish monastic system and founder of the Scottish Church....

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...

A visit to the Grianan Ailigh visitor centre, restaurant and banquet hall is a must if you are holidaying in the Donegal area. The visitor centre is housed within a 150 year old stone church and here you can take a step back in time and enjoy the story of the ring fort of the Ui Neill High Kings of Ireland....

The Flight of the Earls Heritage Centre is located along the harbour. The last two great Celtic chieftains, Hugh O'Donnell and Hugh O'Neill are commemorated here. They departed Ireland from Rathmullan Harbour in 1607 after their defeat at Kinsale by the forces of Elizabeth I under Mountjoy in 1601. This was a real turning point in Irish history, because the death of Celtic Ireland and its Brehon Laws rapidly followed their departure. The repressive laws, confiscations of lands and massive p...

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...

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....

Pettigo is a village where the border separating the Republic of Ireland from Northern Ireland runs. It is a handsome village and is the main centre for pilgrims visiting Lough Derg.
Turn left in the village and follow the signs to Lough Derg.
The island on this south-east Donegal lake has received pilgrims from all over Europe since early Christian times. Known as St. Patrick's, as he reputedly, did penance here. Only pilgrims are allowed on the island during the summer pilg...

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...

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....

Lough Eske is a large lake found to the south of the Blue Stack Mountains. The River Eske flows from the lake entering the sea at Rossnowlagh. By the lakeshore you will see some tall gateposts. The much overgrown avenue behind the gates leads to Lough Eske Castle.

The estate was developed by the Brooke family in the 18th century, and the house that they built was a reconstruction of an earlier Jacobean building.The present ruin was built in the middle of the 19th century by Thomas...