DONEGAL VISITOR ATTRACTIONS Travel Ireland » Donegal »

Cliffs of Slieve League Cliffs of Slieve League, which plunge into the wild Atlantic ocean to calm and sheltered tidal inlets, fall in love with the landscape that inspired W B Yeats   Donegal Castle, Co Donegal Donegal Castle built in 1505 by the O'Donnell family who were the ruling Gaelic family in Donegal for over a thousand years until they left Ireland with the Flight of the Earls in 1607. Dunlewey Lakeside Centre Dunlewey Lakeside Centre is situated on the shores of Dunlewey Lough in the shadow of the haunting and mysterious Poison Glen. Step back in time to the homestead of a famous weaver, Manus Ferry, and hear local tales on the boat trip. Attractions include: Restaurant & Tea Room,Craft Shop,Adventure play area,Historic homestead guided visit,Tweed weaving demonstration,Audio-Visual show on Dunlewey ,Lakeside walks,Boat cruise on Dunlewey Lake,Farmyard Animals to feed,Pony & Trap, Traditional Music. Glenveagh Castle & Gardens, Churchill, Co Donegal   Glenveagh Castle is a 19th century castellated mansion and was built between 1867 and 1873.   Henry McIlhenny, the last owner of the castle, served the Philadelphia Museum of Art as Curator of Decorative Arts and his expertise in this field is evident throughout the castle. Glenveagh National Park is located 24km north-west of Letterkenny and can be reached via the villages of Kilmacrennan or Churchill. Grianan Ailigh Centre,  Burt, Inishowen, Co Donegal Grianan Ailigh is a group of historic monuments in  County Donegal  built on the hill of Grianán which is 244 metres high. It is believed that the ancient burial site could well have been dated to the Neolithic Period. (1700 BC) The cashel dates from an early historic period (600 A.D). St Patrick was said to visit the site in the 5th.Century. There is a well, known as 'St. Patrick's Well' on the site. Local Legends would call this a holy well from the old faith and would attribute healing properties to the wate Iosas Centre & Celtic Prayer Garden The Celtic Prayer Garden is a six-acre site laid out in the shape of the island of Ireland which depicts the lives of the major saints of Ireland’s Golden Age (5th to 12th Century). It affords the visitor/pilgrim an opportunity to learn about Ireland’s Celtic Christian Heritage and the relevance of the charisms(gifts) these men and women had and used in their everyday lives. The garden is a place of incredible peace and natural beauty which affords the pilgrim time and space away from today’s hectic pace of life. Using the Guide/Prayer Book the pilgrim will visit the dry-stone cell of St Columba (Colmcille), St Canice’s straw-bale, built Oratory, the bird sanctuary of St Ciaran, the cave of Columbanus, the Trinity Circle with its magnificent bronze statue of the Risen Christ. Having been spiritually refreshed in the garden, the cafe and shop at the Visitor Centre provides lunch, beverages, snacks and an array of hand-crafted gifts. Prior notification of group numbers is essential.. Newmills Corn and Flax Mills, Letterkenny, Co Donegal Newmills Corn & Flax Mills, Letterkenny, Co Donegal are situated on the Churchill road, beside Newmills Bridge on the south bank of the River Swilly, 5 kilometres west of Letterkenny in the small town of Milltown in County Donegal, Ireland. It features one of the largest, still working, waterwheels in the country.  The millrace is 1 km long and powers two separate millheels, one for grinding oats and barley and the other for flax. Saint Patricks Purgatory, Lough Derg, Pettigoe, Co Donegal This is an ancient pilgrimage that takes place on Station Island in Lough Derg, Co Donegal, Ireland. The traditional date of the origin of the pilgrimage is from 445, when Saint Patrick visited the lake. Its importance in medieval times is recorded in the fact that the lake is the only Irish site named on a world map of 1492. The association with St Patrick dates back to the legends that while in a cave on the island, Patrick is said to have had a vision of the punishments of Hell. Hence the place came to be known as St Patrick's Purgatory. Tory Island,  Co Donegal Tory Island offers spectacular cliff scenery and is steeped in history and historical monuments. Colm Cille figures prominently in the history of this sacred island which he chose as a place of retreat and meditation for his monks. Shipwrecks, poitín smuggling and tales of violent storm have also been drawn into its folklore. Islanders speak a distinctive Gaelic and is part of the Donegal Gaeltacht. Tory is frequently visited by ornithologists.

Arranmore Island,  Co Donegal Arranmore Island is three miles from Burtonport on the coast of Donegal. It is a beautiful island with many lakes and long golden beaches and views of the coast of Donegal from Bloody Foreland to Glen Head serviced by Aranmore Ferries. Árainn Mhór is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. The West of the island has many marine caves and stacks carved from solid rock resulting in a spectacular cliff coastline. Views from Glen Head to Tory Island are to be found while walking the island.

Cruit Island

Drumboghill Stone Fort, Drumboghill Stone Fort is a roughly circular Hill Fort originally 30 metres diameter but now in ruin. There are traces of a souterrain, (underground passage) within the the enclosure. The gold Lunula (now in the National Museum) found nearby probably dates from the early Bronze Age, about 1600 BC.

Malin Head,  Co Donegal Malin Head is Ireland’s most northerly headland on the Inishowen Peninsula, County Donegal and can offer the intrepid traveller the very best by way of scenery, fresh air, flora and fauna. Inishowen is some two hours by road from Belfast and a four hour trip from Dublin and Shannon.

Tullyarvan Mill,  Buncrana, Co Donegal Tullyarvan Mill, a 19th century renovated corn mill is situated just outside the seaside town of Buncrana, Co Donegal. It is a community, cultural  and hostel centre. The Mill is the perfect location to stay, relax and to explore the spectacular Inishowen Peninsula.

Waterworld Bundoran, Co Donegal Waterworld Bundoran - Bundoran Seaweed Baths & Aqua Mara Treatment Rooms, on Bundoran seafront adjoining Waterworld, has a range of facilities and experiences perfect for the discerning adult looking for a combination of health and relaxation.

Areas in Donegal worth a visit are near Narin, Portnoo and Rosbeg. The Mass Rock, Kilclooney Dolmen, Lough Doon Fort – a massive stone fort believed to be about 2000 years old, built on an island in the centre of the lake. Clooney Wood – worth a visit, offers a scenic walk and picnic area with a magnificent view. Iniskeel Island – accessible at low tide, contains the ruins of St. Conal's sixth century church. Glengesh Pass, Assaranca Falls, Maghera Caves, Drumbarron Hill.