County Donegal - 78 Attractions You Must Visit

e3bbdacc-ec84-43e9-a748-c0505e300ada

About County Donegal

County Donegal is a county of Ireland in the province of Ulster. From the hills of Donegal to the Wild Atlantic Way Coastline. You will be spoiled for choice of Adventure, good food and much more. The vast Derryveagh Mountains rule the raw landscape, explore its walking trails and visit the shores of Lough Eske. Find some of Ireland's best beaches here and make time for the white sand of Portsalon Beach.

Types of Attractions in County Donegal

Activities Around

List of Attractions in County Donegal

Oakfield Park

Oakfield Park

Parks

Iconic Buildings

A privately owned house set in 100 acres of magnificent parkland, woodlands and gardens near the town of Raphoe in the heart of County Donegal. Sitting in a lush landscape of parklands, lakes, mature woodlands, overlooking the distant Croaghan Mountain, the grounds include a hedge maze, sculpture and miles of walking paths. There is also a narrow gauge railway that winds its way over 4km of track within the estate.

Owey Island

Owey Island is a 300 acre island off the coast of west County Donegal, Ireland.The island's highest hill, Moylemore, is at 102 m.The buildings of the island are located on its southern part, being the northern one rocky and exposed to winds. On Owey there is no mains electricity or public water supply. It is one of the iconic attraction in this area and also it offers beautiful views too.

Portsalon Golf Club

Portsalon Golf Club

Outdoors- Other

This beautiful golf park is Situated on the beautiful north coast of County Donegal. With its par 72, 18-hole links course hugging the coast and Ballymastoker’s sandy beaches, Portsalon Golf Club must rank as one of Ireland’s most spectacular and bracing golfing locations. Golf Digest has voted it one of the top 25 courses in Ireland.

Rosguill

Rosguill

Outdoors- Other

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.

Rougey Cliff Walk

Rougey Cliff Walk

1 Day Treks

Urban Walks

The Rougey Walk is a circular walk taking in views of the Atlantic Ocean from Rougey and Bundoran's bustling Main Street in County Donegal. It is a moderate walk and care should be taken on exposed sections in windy or wet weather. The walk continues on around the headland with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Bundoran's Championship Golf Course on the other side.

Silver Strand

Silver Strand

Beaches

Outdoors- Other

This stack sits off the right-hand side of the sliver strand beach by Malinbeg. This beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Donegal. Access to the stack is by a wee bit of coasteering for as far as you can from the right-hand side of the beach. A high tide approach simply paddle out direct from the beach.

Slieve League

The Slieve League Cliffs are located about an hour's drive west of Donegal. It is one of the outstanding natural wonders of the Wild Atlantic Way. With a height up to 600 metres, these steeply sloping cliffs are one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Slieve League is often photographed from a viewpoint known as Bunglass. It can be reached by means of a narrow road that departs from Teelin.

Slieve Snaght

Slieve Snaght

1 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

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.

St Patrick's Purgatory

St Patrick's Purgatory is an ancient pilgrimage site on Station Island in Lough Derg, County Donegal, Ireland. According to legend, the site dates from the fifth century, when Christ showed Saint Patrick a cave, sometimes referred to as a pit or a well, on Station Island that was an entrance to Purgatory. Its importance in medieval times is clear from the fact that it is mentioned in texts from as early as 1185 and shown on maps from all over Europe as early as the fifteenth century.

St. Eunan's Cathedral

St. Eunan's Cathedral

Churches

Old Ruins

Cathedral of St Eunan and St Columba as it is also known, is a cathedral in the parish of Conwal and Leck, part of the Diocese of Raphoe. Built between the years of 1890 and 1900, the cathedral is found in Letterkenny, County Donegal in Ireland. There are two cathedrals in the county; an older cathedral of the same name is found in the town of Raphoe, and since the Reformation, has been used by the Church of Ireland.

Swan Park

Swan Park

Outdoors- Other

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 Art House Ireland

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.

The Glebe Gallery

The Glebe Gallery

Iconic Buildings

Art Galleries

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.

The Regional Cultural Centre

The Regional Cultural Centre

Man-made Structures- Other

The Regional Cultural Centre, in Letterkenny, is a multi disciplinary arts facility developed by Donegal County Council. The distinctive glass and aluminium structure was designed by award winning Letterkenny based MacGabhann Architects. The centre incorporates a first floor art gallery, an auditorium with 150 retractable seats and full cinema facilities, three multi purpose workshops, two dedicated digital media suites, two small music rehearsal rooms and two foyer galleries.

Tory Island

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.

Tullan Strand

This is one of Donegal's renowned surf beaches, of Bundoran Town. It possesses an extensive network of sand dunes and is framed by a scenic back drop provided by the Sligo-Leitrim Mountains. Here the sand is white, the water is turquoise, and the rollers are impressive! Head to the village of Bundoran in County Donegal to discover it.

Waterworld Bundoran

Waterworld Bundoran

Man-made Structures- Other

Waterworld Bundoran is Ireland's Premiere Indoor Aqua Adventure Playground. With over 1.5 million visitors since it first opened in 1991 the complex continues to attract families from all parts of the country who come to experience over 15 water features under one roof where family fun is guaranteed.

Wild Ireland

Wild Ireland

Outdoors- Other

Wildlife Sanctuaries

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.

Map of attractions in County Donegal

Comments

For more information about County Donegal, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_Donegal