Donegal is famous the world over for its breathtaking scenery, miles of unspoilt Atlantic coastline, long sandy beaches, sheltered bays and of course the ‘hills of Donegal’. There are two main mountain ranges to the ‘hills of Donegal’ namely the Bluestack Mountains to the south and the Derryveagh
Mountains to the north. It also boasts Slieve League, the highest sea cliffs in Europe and Malin Head the most northerly tip of Ireland.

Located in the northwest of Ireland, beautiful and wild Donegal is the perfect spot to recharge your batteries and it’s one of Ireland’s best-loved holiday destinations. There are plenty mountains to climb, miles of coastline to explore, charming towns & villages and beautiful countryside. It borders County Leitrim to the south and counties Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh in Northern Ireland.

A good starting point for your tour of Donegal is Bundoran in the south of the county. This vibrant seaside town has plenty to offer including lively traditional Irish pubs, excellent restaurants and a golden sandy beach. For the adventurous among you there are many outdoor activities to partake in including a whole range of watersports, golf angling and hill walking.

From here you can drive north and experience the buzz of Donegal Town. Situated at the mouth of Donegal Bay, Donegal is the main town in the south of the county. This vibrant market town is
steeped in history and is home to excellent pubs and restaurants. It’s also a superb base for exploring the county.

Coming from Donegal town, you can head west and drive through Dunkineely and into Killybegs. The colourful village of Killybegs is famous for its links to the fishing industry. It’s also a magnet for watersports enthusiasts and hill walkers.

No visit to this part of Donegal would be complete without seeing the awe inspiring Slieve League Cliffs. At 600 metres tall they are the highest sea cliffs in Europe.

Heading north you’ll find yourself in the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht. A night or two here and you’ll easily pick up a few words of Gaelic. The popular tourist town of Dungloe is located about 18km northwest of Glenties. If you’re here during the August bank holiday weekend you can enjoy the craic, music and drink of the Mary of Dungloe Festival.

The coastal village of Gweedore is surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenery in Ireland. With beautiful sandy beaches and wild rugged mountains you’ll definitely get the chance to relax and unwind and recharge those batteries.

Glenveagh National Park is not too far away from here. It’s made up of 14,000 hectares of mountains, bog lands, forests and lakes and is well worth checking out.

This part of County Donegal has some superb coastal golf courses. Dunfanaghy Golf Course is an excellent example and while you’re here it’s worth taking a stroll along the 3km long Killyhoey Beach.
Letterkenny, which is located to the east of the county, is Donegal’s main shopping town. Add to this a lively nightlife with excellent pubs and restaurants and you’ve got a good place to stop for the night.

From here you can drive northeast to the breathtaking Inishowen Peninsula. The seaside town of Buncrana is the main town in the region. Horseriding, golf, watersports are all popular activities here. And it’s a haven for any fishing enthusiast as it’s on the shores of Lough Swilly and at the mouth of the River Crana. The town also enjoys a reputation for top class traditional Irish pubs and restaurants and is great for a night out.

Malin Head, the rocky tip of the Inishowen Peninsula, is Donegal’s and Ireland’s most northerly tip. It’s surrounded by stunning scenery and the area also boasts great beaches and excellent angling and watersports opportunities.

This is just a taste of what’s on offer. Discover the breathtaking scenery, charming towns and welcoming people for yourself. It’ll definitely take a few days to get around the entire county so start planning your trip now.

Author: Helen Kelly. Helen Kelly writes for the Ireland travel and accommodation website www.GoIreland.com . Visit GoIreland for all you need to know before visiting Donegal, like what to see and where to go. View B&Bs, guesthouses and self catering in Donegal as well as Donegal hotels .

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