20 Attractions to Explore Near Portsalon Golf Club

A beautiful sandy beach on the western shore of Lough Swilly. It stretches from Portsalon to the Knockalla Hills. It is certainly one of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland and was once voted as the second most beautiful in the world – beaten to the top spot by a beach in the Seychelles.

A majestic and beautiful fort located on a rocky promontory accessed over a natural fissure. Originally built as part of a series of fortifications defending Lough Swilly during the Napoleonic Wars, located opposite Knockalla Fort on the other side of the lough. The fort is now a military museum with detailed exhibitions, many restored guns such as BL 6 inch Mk VII naval gun and an old military camp. There are also displays about the area birds, marine life and coastal vegetation.

A beautiful militory museum which was opened to the public in 1986 and attracts visitors and scholars from all over the world. Using the latest DVD and interactive technology the unique history and present role of Fort Dunree is fully explained and recreated in vibrant and colourful displays. Today however, its stunning natural beauty and abundant wildlife are drawing increasing numbers of visitors to one of Inishowen’s most beautiful and peaceful locations.

Fanad Head Lighthouse, one of the world's most beautiful lighthouses, is located within the Donegal Gaeltacht on the wild and windswept Fanad peninsula. It is also one of twelve lighthouses which make up Great Lighthouses of Ireland, a new all-island tourism initiative. Visitors from home and abroad now have the chance to visit or stay in a lighthouse and to find out about our history and heritage, to appreciate the spectacular natural world around us.

Fanad Head with its wonderful view on the rough coast of the Atlantic ocean. Right here in this unique surroundings thrones one of Ireland’s most beautiful lighthouses above the crashing waves. Fanad Lighthouse is classified as a sea light, not a harbour light, despite it marking the entrance into Lough Swilly which is a natural harbour of refuge.

The Gap of Mamore is a pass in the Urris Hills and for a long time the narrow road has been the only connection between Urris and Buncrana. Right after passing the very top of the pass a incredible panorama presents itself, best enjoyed from a small parking bay opposite a holy well and a statue of holy Mary. There are panoramic views of the hills on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other.

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!

Rapidly becoming known as 'Swan City', Monticello is host to over 1500, once endangered Trumpeter Swans from December thru the end of February. A protected viewing park for the public is located on Mississippi Drive, on

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.

Buncrana Beach is on the shorefront of the town and is a lovely clean and well-used beach. There is a large kids play park, two tennis all-weather tennis courts, a small football/basketball pitch and an outdoor free gym is approximately 100m down the path.

A small and beautiful island within Lough Swilly, connected to the mainland by a bridge. Between the island and the mainland lies the Inch Wildfowl Reserve – a birdwatchers paradise. The site includes two car parks, seating, viewpoints and a number of bird hides open to the public. This scenic pathway follows around the lake edge and offers panoramic views of the surrounding agricultural landscape and wetlands.

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.

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.

Slieve Snaght is a mountain in the middle of the Inishowen peninsula of County Donegal, Ireland. It is situated in the middle of Inishowen and is the peninsulas highest mountain at a height of 615 metres. The mountain is said to be so named because snow lies on its summit until late May. There is a tradition of pilgrimage to the top of Slieve Snaght at Lughnasa, and a holy well near the summit, called Tobar na Súl , is said to cure blindness.

A beautiful castle situated at the extreme seaward end of Inch Island. It was built in the middle of the fifteenth century but, by 1609, when granted to Sir Arthur Chichester, he stated that it was in a state of disrepair. It came to form part of the defensive network of O'Doherty fortifications designed to protect them from rival clans and to overawe those who accepted their overlordship.

A majestic castle built in the 16th century on a rocky promontory with spectacular views of the Donegal hills and headlands, this O’Doherty stronghold stands on the site of a pre-Viking settlement recorded in the Annals. It was strategically positioned atop a rocky outcrop defending the Ó Dochartaighs' remote Isle of Doagh in the far north of Inishowen.

The Isle of Doagh is situated between Trawbreaga and Pollan Bay. The island offers beautiful beaches with dunes and is home to the impressive Carrikabraghy Castle in the far north-east of Doagh. The Doagh Famine Village is located here. This open-air museum contains examples of thatched buildings and traditional lifestyles. Attractions include recreations of an Irish wake, Orange Hall, Presbyterian Meeting House, mass rock, hedge school, eviction scene and Republican Safe House.

This is an outdoor museum that tells the story of life in the area from the Famine back in the 1840s, through the 1900s to the present day. Different to any other tourist attraction in Ireland the Famine Village depicts life in Ireland as it was, uncommercialised,interdenominational interspersed with humorous anecdotes of Irish life. It contains a wide selection of actual size attractions, including some original dwellings which were still inhabited up to 20 years ago.

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.