20 Attractions to Explore Near INISHOWEN HEAD LIGHTHOUSE

Inishowen Maritime Museum & Planetarium is located at the Old Coast Guard station over looking Greencastle Harbour on the banks of the beautiful Lough Foyle. It has an extensive collection of artefacts, exhibitions and memorabilia of all things maritime. The full dome theatre runs 5 shows each day. As well as astronomy based shows they also offer shows on prehistoric sea monsters, global climate and kids’ favourite – Enchanted Reef! Children’s shows are suitable from 4yrs.

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.

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 beautiful Five Fingers beach is nestled in impressive dunes. These dunes, up to 30 metres high, are among the highest in Europe. The way to this beautiful beach leads past an idyllic church embedded in the dunes. Swimming is not recommended here due to very dangerous undercurrents and rip tides.

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.

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.

Enagh is a fresh-water lake about ten minutes drive from the city center, just off the main A2 to Coleraine. It is popular for coarse fishing, being well filled with pike, perch, roach, the odd bream and plenty of eels. It is an outstanding area of natural beauty, with vivid wildlife including red squirrels and Pipistrelle bats, both of which are fast becoming scarce in Northern Ireland.

Wild Ireland, a newly opened animal sanctuary on the Inishowen Peninsula, has given refuge to a number of animals that have been extinct in Ireland for centuries. Visitors to the sanctuary can expect to find everything from bears and wolves to otters, wild boar and more.

The Foyle Bridge crosses the River Foyle on the north side of Derry/Londonderry in Northern Ireland and is one of just two road bridges crossing the river in the city. The central cantilever span of the bridge is the second longest on the island of Ireland, at 234 metres (767 ft), and the whole suspended bridge structure including the approach spans is 866 metres long.

A beautiful country park, which is 55 hectares of mixed woodland along with open parkland which extends along both sides of the Burntollet River. There are over 7km of stunning woodland and riverside walks including a magnificent waterfall walk.

St. Columb’s Park is a 70-acre municipal park in Derry, Northern Ireland. The park is named after St. Columba, who is the city's patron saint. The park contains the ruins of a medieval church, an 18th century manor house, as well as many modern amenities such as a leisure centre and sports pitches. Contained within the park are the ruins of the medieval St. Brecan’s Church. The history of the site dates back to at least the 12th century, although most of the original church was demolished

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

The Derry Peace Bridge spans 400 years of a physical and political divide in Northern Ireland, symbolizing a handshake of peace across the River Foyle. It is the newest of three bridges in the city, the others being the Craigavon Bridge and the Foyle Bridge. The bridge was opened to the public by EU Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn; accompanied by the First and deputy First Ministers, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness; and the Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

The Guildhall is a fine modern building, the chief treasures in which are the stained glass windows presented by the various London Companies that once owned land in Ireland. Fashioned in a neo-gothic style, the Guildhall is one of the most striking buildings in the North West and was originally built in 1887 by The Honourable The Irish Society. The red sandstone building is of neo-gothic architecture, with Tudor overtones.

Ness Woods is one of three woodlands – the others are Ervey Wood and Burntollet Wood – which lie within the 55 hectares of forested countryside that comprise Ness Country Park. There is plenty of wildlife and birdlife, as well as pondlife, to enjoy. There’s also an expansive meadow which can be accessed by those with limited mobility.

The Tower Museum is one of Ireland's top attractions and takes the visitor on a high-tech audio-visual narrative tour of the Story of Derry. It is located in Union Hall Place, within a historic tower just inside the city walls, near the Guildhall. The museum has two permanent exhibits; The Story of Derry which presents the history of Derry from its prehistoric origins to the present, and An Armada Shipwreck – La Trinidad Valencera which details the local shipwreck from the Spanish Armada.

Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin is a new purpose built Irish language arts and cultural centre. It is part of the An Gaeláras group and opened premises in Great James Street, Derry. An impressive adddition to the city's skyline, it has become a beacon for language and culture enthusiasts, greatly enhancing access to services and facilities for the city’s Irish speaking community. It is also a symbol of the ongoing economic regeneration of the city.

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.

Derry’s Craft Village is a cultural oasis in the heart of a vibrant city. A reconstruction of an 18th Century Street and 19th Century Square, the Craft Village provides an eclectic mix of artisan craft shops, balconied apartments, licensed restaurant and coffee shops. The Canopy in the Village Square and the Thatched Cottage are ideal venues for corporate, cultural and community entertainment. Take advantage of our unique shopping district.