Our favourite places in Donegal

When you visit somewhere for the first time it’s hard to decide where to go and what to see, and usually you end up missing something really great. If you’re planning to visit Donegal for your next holiday then we hope that this review of our favourite places in Donegal will help make sure that you experience new things and find that special place. 

This most northerly county in Ireland boasts stunning scenery, with two hundred miles of rugged coastline, beautiful golden sandy beaches and dramatic mountains.  And it’s not just scenery that makes Donegal special, there are castles and churches, stately homes and farms, museums and mills.

Bustling towns or tranquil villages

If it’s the bustle of town life that appeals then we think a visit to Donegal Town is a must. This small but lively town sits on the mouth of the River Eske and looks out over Donegal Bay. You can lose yourself in the lovely craft shops or enjoy wonderful food at one of the world class restaurants.  When you want to get a breath of fresh air there’s a round of golf at Donegal Golf Club or you can just enjoy the peace of Murvagh beach. Something for everyone. If you want a quieter life our favourite place to visit is Ballyliffin. It is a beautiful picturesque village in the north east of County Donegal. Close by is a beautiful sandy beach called Pollan Strand which stretches for over 2 miles along the Atlantic Coast. Ballyliffin gives you the peace and tranquillity of village life but makes a perfect touring base for the North of Donegal.

Moutains and Forests, Castles and Cottages

Walking is a great way to see your favourite places and whether you’re a weekend stroller or a dedicated rambler Donegal will have a walk to suit you. The Maghery Walk forms part of Sli na Rossan (the National Waymarked Way) and is a beautiful short walk with excellent views over the Rosses and out towards Aranmore Island. The Ards Forest Park  is probably the most beautiful and certainly the most varied of Ireland's Forest Parks. You can relax for hours on its beaches and nature trails or explore the mystery of the ring forts and megalithic tombs.

Visiting castles and historic buildings lets you experience another world. The atmosphere and scenery of two of our favourites are sure to make them your favourites too. Glenveagh National Park and Castle make up over 16,000 acres of spectacular scenery in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains. Take the self guided Tree Trail, visit the stunning formal gardens or take a guided tour around the 19^th Century Glenveagh Castle, a castellated mansion overlooking the beautiful lake. In contrast the Flough is an authentic Irish cottage just outside Muff. Visitors can experience historic crafts such spinning, rope twisting, corn fiddle or even try baking scones over an open fire.

Waterfalls and Beaches

Holiday memories are often about special places, a particular view or vista. One of our favourites in Donegal is the view across Portsalon Beach . Long golden sands, gentle dunes and spectacular mountains in the distance. The beach shelves gently to the blue of the Atlantic and is protected from the weather by the headland. Portsalon is part of a National Heritage Area and has wonderful wildlife and stunning views. For a special place with added drama we recommend a visit to Glenevin Waterfall just outside of the village of Clonmany. Water tumbles 30ft over this spectacular waterfall, flowing over black rock into the Pohl-an-eas, the ferment pool. You reach the waterfall by walking up the Glenevin valley on a lovely but safe route. Footbridges dotted along the track take you over the stream but for the more adventurous there are stepping stones. A wonderful experience.

If you want to find that special place why not plan to take your next holiday in Ireland.  To help you choose your favourite place we’ve posted photos of our favourite Donegal places at flickr. And if you want to know more about what to see and do in Donegal just take a few minutes to take a look at our favourite places video,  When you decide to visit (we’re sure you will) there are hundreds of beautiful holiday cottages throughout Donegal, why not take a look at some of Imagine Irelands special places, just click here for our Donegal properties.