County Donegal - 78 Attractions You Must Visit

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.

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 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.

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.

Inishkeel is a small tidal island and a townland off the coast of County Donegal, Ireland. The closest village on the mainland is Narin. The island is located in Gweebarra Bay around 250 m from the coast. A sandy tidal bank connects, with low tide, the island with the mainland.

A majestic lighthouse, Originally the two lighthouses built at Dunagree Point, 1 km south of Inishowen Head, were used as harbour lights to guide vessels into Lough Foyle and to lead them clear of the Tuns Bank. It is one of the iconic attractions in this area and also there are also beautiful views too.

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.

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.

The Kilclooney Dolmen is a portal-tome or dolmen, prominent on the skyline north-north-west of Ardara. It well displays the classic features from which this type of monument derives its name. The monument comprises a huge capstone approximately four by six meters, supported by two 1.8 meter uprights, known as portals and a back stone on which the capstone rests. A notable feature of the back stone is the chocking stone.

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.

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.

Lough Derg or Loch Derg is a lake in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland. The lake is about 8.9 square kilometres in size, but is quite shallow, making it dangerous during bad weather. It has stocks of pike, perch and brown trout for angling. It is best known for St Patrick's Purgatory, a site of pilgrimage on Station Island in the lake.

Lough Eske is a small lake in County Donegal in the west of Ulster in Ireland. The lake lies to the northeast of Donegal Town, to which it is connected by the River Eske. The lake is about 900 acres in size and is surrounded to the north, east and west by the Bluestack Mountains, which occupy much of southern County Donegal.

A beautiful white sandy beach located beneath Slievetooey mountain and some are accessible at low tides from Maghera Strand. There are over 20 caves, 8 arches and 5 tunnels which can be visited, ideally by Kayak or other small craft, and would be enough to sate the appetite of any explorer.

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.

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.

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!

Mountcharles Pier is set within a small expanse of flat land, densely populated on the rising ground immediately behind it by a dense field structure. The area was originally known as Tamhnach an tSalainn. This refers to a salt mine in the area. It was renamed Mount Charles by the local 17th century landlord Charles Conyngham after himself. Charles Conyngham was a direct ancestor of the current Lord Henry Mountcharles of Slane Castle in County Meath famous for it’s music festivals.

A beautiful mountain which forms the backdrop to the village of Dunfanaghy and the surrounding area. It's distinctive flat topped shape gave it its name - an Mhucais, meaning "the pig's back".Muckish is also the most northern and second highest of the mountain chain called the "Seven Sisters" by locals. The Seven Sisters are Muckish, Crocknalaragagh, Aghla Beg, Ardloughnabrackbaddy, Aghla More, Mackoght, and Errigal.

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.