tourist attractions donegal

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....

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....

This island of Gaelic speakers is one 11km off the mainland and has become prominent with visitors chiefly through the remarkable folk art which is being produced here. The location of the island off the north-west coast makes it ideal for bird watchers. Other features inlcude a small, undecorated cross, a round tower and the remains of two churches, probably from the 6th century monastery said to have been founded by St Columcille. Regular Irish music sessions are held during the summer mo...

Here within a late 19th century setting in a rugged and remote mountain valley, Henry Mc Ilhenny from Philadelphia created one of the most celebrated gardens in Ireland.
Woodland gardens and pleasure grounds, an Italian terrace with antique sculpture and terracotta pots, all these different themes have been skillfully interwoven against the wild and beautiful Donegal landscape.
Glenveagh National Park Visitor Centre, which is located at the end of Lough Veagh near the edge of...

The highest cliff face in Europe, Slieve League is spectacular not just for its sheer elevation but also for its colour; at sunset the rock is streaked with changing shades of red, amber and ochre.
The 8km (5 mile) drive to the eastern end of Slieve League from Carrick is bumpy but well worth enduring. Beyond Teelin, the road becomes a series of alarming switchbacks before reaching Bunglass Point and Amharc Mor, the 'good view'.
From here you can see the whole of Slieve League,...

Established in 1985, Donegal Craft Village is an attractive facility where traditional crafts are expertly finished by skilled crafts people. This Craft Village is made up of a cluster of workshops grouped around a courtyard. The crafts include hand weaving, pottery, jewellery, painting and an Uilleann Pipe maker. This is a fantastic opportunity to see talented Irish crafts people make unique Irish gifts
Facilities include a coffee shop and a picnic area....

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...

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...