20 Attractions to Explore Near Muckish

Glenveagh National Park is a remote and hauntingly beautiful wilderness of rugged mountains, pristine lakes, tumbling waterfalls and enchanted native oak woodland in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains in the north west of County Donegal. The Park, over 16,000 hectares in extent consists of three areas. The largest of these is the former Glenveagh Estate, including most of the Derryveagh Mountains.

Lough Beagh is located in the heart of Glenveagh National Park in the northwest of County Donegal. It holds a good stock of small brown trout, occasional salmon and can hold a moderate stock of sea trout in August. It is fed mainly by the Owenbeagh River entering at its southern end. The lake drains northwards into the Owencarrow River. The Owencarrow connects the lake with its similar northern neighbour, Glen Lough.

Glenveagh Castle is a 19th century castellated mansion and was built between 1867 and 1873. Its construction in a remote mountain setting was inspired by the Victorian idyll of a romantic highland retreat. It is built in the Scottish baronial architectural style and consists of a four-story rectangular keep, surrounded by a garden, and a backdrop of some 165.4 km2 of mountains, lakes, glens and woods complete with a herd of red deer.

The Glenveagh Castle Gardens are part of Glenveagh National Park in the north west of County Donegal. The site occupied by the castle and gardens was formerly wild mountain moorland, with construction of the castle beginning in 1869 and the gardens in the mid 1880s. Tree rhododendrons and magnolias grace the woods with under-plantings of azaleas, hostas, astilbes and rodgersias.

The park covers approximately 480 hectares (1200 acres) and includes a variety of habitats, among them sand dunes, beaches, salt marshes, salt water lakes, rock face and, of course, coniferous and deciduous woodlands. In the forest, you will find a range of archeological features and national monuments, and these are all documented in the guide booklet produced by Coillte, and available at most tourist information centres.

The Art House is a small art gallery located in a terrace building on the main street of Dunfanaghy, Donegal. It’s owner is the friendly and informative Brian O Doherty. Visitors to the gallery appreciate that Brian takes time takes to share his joy and love of art with them individually. And they love our mix of landscapes, cityscapes, block prints, prints and original artwork. The Art House also offers framing services, private commissions and a range of workshops also.

Marble Hill beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Donegal. At high tide it is split into two different sections, with several small yachts and boats moored in the bay during the summer season. Marble Hill is popular with swimmers, surfers, bathers, walkers, sand-castle builders and just about everybody who knows of its existence.

Errigal is a 751-metre mountain near Gweedore in County Donegal, Ireland. It is the tallest peak of the Derryveagh Mountains and the tallest peak in County Donegal. Errigal is also the most southern and the highest of the mountain chain called the "Seven Sisters" by locals. Errigal is known for the pinkish glow of its quartzite in the setting sun. It is a good trekking destination and also there are so many things to explore here.

The beautiful Glebe House and Gallery is located near Churchill, which is about 15 kilometres from Dunfanaghy. This 1828 Regency style house has the most wonderful setting on the shore of Lough Gartan. The English portrait and landscape painter Derek Hill lived and worked there from 1954 until he presented the house and his art collection to the Irish state in 1981.

This is a small rural community in the Donegal Gaeltacht which lies in unique scenery at the foot of Mount Errigal, the highest mountain in the County. Ionad Cois Locha is situated on the shores of Dunlewey Lough in the shadow of the haunting and mysterious Poison Glen. Attractions include a restaurant & tea room; craft shop; adventure play area and so more.

This beautiful peninsula was located in the north of Donegal and is by far less touristic than its neighbouring peninsulas of Fanad or Inishowen. Nevertheless, this peninsula is a must see. Especially the northern cape “Horn Head” is worth a visit and surprises visitors with its 180 metres high steep cliffs. It is designated as an Irish Natural Heritage Area and as a refuge for fauna specifically seabirds.

The Colmcille Heritage Centre is situated on a very scenic lakeside site with walks along the lakeside. It endeavours to give an appreciation of a period in Irish and European history at the end of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Medieval period.

Inishbofin is an island off the coast of Machaire Uí Rabhartaigh, County Donegal, Ireland. The island is a 120-hectare land mass, with an economy traditionally based on fishing and farming. Irish is spoken routinely. There are no pubs or shops on the island. There is a boat service to and from it but no regular ferry.

Rosguill is a peninsula situated in north-north-west County Donegal, Ireland. Lying between the peninsulae of Fanad to the east and Horn Head to the west, Rosguill is a dichotomy of heathland and ocean. With the great Sheephaven Bay with its mellow waters and pure-white strands on the one hand, and the treacherous sand banks of Mulroy Bay on the other.

Leo’s Tavern is one of Donegal’s most famous pubs. It is named after Leo Brennan, an extremely popular and accomplished musician in his own right but also the father of Enya and 3 members of the renowned Clannad band – Moya, Ciaran and Paul Brennan. The proprietor Bartley Brennan is Leo Brennan’s youngest son and Leo himself continues to entertain the locals and tourists regularly.

Bád Eddie or Eddie’s boat are the names given to the old wreck at Magherclogher beach, Bunbeg Donegal. Cara Na Mara is the official title of the abandoned fishing vessel ran into trouble during stormy seas in the early 1970s. The boat featured in the 1985 Clanad and Bono video. Eddie’s boat was the reason for the one hour journey from where we were staying and it was certainly worth the effort.

Melmore Head is a cape in County Donegal. Melmore Head is situated north of Gortnalughoge, west of Ballyhoorisky Point. It’s a “point” of land, which juts out into the sea in magnificent panoramas. The beach promises a nice walk, the surrounding mountains a fabulous show, and a cave called Murder Hole can even be discovered during your exploration!

Newmills Corn and Flax Mills is a grain mill located in County Donegal, Ireland.It features one of the largest operating waterwheels in the country. The mill is situated on the R250The oldest surviving building at Newmills is 400 years old and there have been mills at Newmills since the early nineteenth century. It steadily expanded to include a public house, a scutcher’s cottage and a forge.

The small island, about 12 km off the coast of Ireland, is a real unique place and stronghold of Irish tradition. This is lived intensively by the islanders who have chosen their own king. Sights of the island are a T-shaped cross, remains of a round tower and monastery, as well as a lighthouse.

Donegal County Museum is a county museum in County Donegal in Ireland. Located on the High Road in Letterkenny, the museum building first opened to the public in 1845 as the Warden's House of the Letterkenny Workhouse. The purpose of Donegal County Museum is to "collect, record, preserve, and display the material evidence and associated information of the History and Heritage of County Donegal. The museum holds a collection of original artefacts that have a connection to County Donegal.