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With #LoveDonegal trending I want to share with you some of the amazing landmarks, rich heritage & history of Ireland’s friendliest & most wild & beautiful county. Take a look!
Glencolumbkille Church is found within the Donegal Gaeltacht (Irish speaking area) & in an area famed for historic monuments & stunning scenery. It takes its name from the Early Medieval St Columba. It boasts court cairns, dolmens, ringforts & historic churches.
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Ardnamona Wood Nature Reserve is part of the Glenveagh complex of nature conservation. It is an important area of native oak woodland that contains some rare species. The site has a visitor path & the exceptionally rare Killarney fern.
Grianan of Aileach dates back to at least the 6th C AD. It is one of the most important monuments in Ireland. It is a stone fort which suffered depredations under the King of Munster who was said to have carried off its oaken roof in 1101 AD. It has been conserved & is stunning.
Doe Castle was erected by the McSweeney kings in about 1420. 13 kings ruled there. A McSweeney fortification. This fine edifice is open to the public & marks the palimpsest of Irish history.
The Carndonagh High Cross is a nationally important 7th century monument. It is paired with two smaller sculptures. It’s design owes much to the masterpiece that is the Book of Durrow (c650AD). It is a must visit to understand early medieval Irish art.
Sheskinmore Nature Reserve is a sand dune complex of national importance for its bird life. Visitors include Greenland White Fronted geese, Choughs, Mute Swans, skylarks, pipits & Reed Buntings. The location is beautiful.
Clonca Church is a planter’s church built on much older foundations. The original chapel was erected by St Morialagh. Nearby is the important St Bodens 11-12th C high cross.
Donegal Castle is a 15th century Gaelic castle that has been restored & is an important landmark in the town. The rooms have been furnished to give a feel for the castle during its use. Worth a visit!
Donegal Franciscan Abbey is now a ruin from 1474AD. It’s evokes history & has a calm sacred atmosphere. Scattered through the site are ancient gravestones & architectural remains. A site for day dreaming!
Oakfield Park House is a magnificent landscaped Georgian estate. The vistas along the lake & it’s folly are a popular site for wedding photography
Duntally Wood National Nature Reserve is a woodland site of oak, ash & hazel. It was a coppiced Wood & a great site to see woodland plants, birds & even wild deer. Go botanise!
Inishkeel Island is one of Donegal’s gems. Founded as a monastery in the 6th C AD by St Connell. It is best known for its series of early medieval carvings as well as its amazing scenic location.
Donegal County Museum contains exhibits about the county & is well worth a visit but follow the Covid-19 guidelines!
Glenveagh National Park is one of the most important in NW Europe. It has mountains, lakes, peatland, grassland & woodland. It’s largest mammal is the native Irish Red Deer. Another magnificent inhabitant is the Golden Eagle. The castle was where Garbo could be alone!
Ray Church has a sad history. It dates back to the 6th C AD & was founded by St Fionnán. The High Cross is from the 8th C & is believed to be the tallest of its time. In the 17th C Cromwell slaughtered the congregation as they prayed.
Inch Wildfowl Reserve is famed for its Whooper Swans & is probably the best place to see otters in the county (if you can be stealthy enough!). Some visitors have been lucky enough to see black swans.
Beltany Stone Cirle was erected c2100-700BC. The name of the site derives from the seasonal feast of Bealtaine. It would have been a site where for millennia the sacred fires were lit as part of the Celtic religion & traditions.
Globe House & Gallery is the most important art collection in the county. It includes work by Picasso, Stanley Spencer, Derek Hill & Hokusai. Remember to follow Covid-19 guidelines.
O’Doherty’s Keep is a handsome ruin of a 14th C AD Hiberno-Norman Castle. A third floor was added in 1601 - in order for it to form the base for a liberating Spanish Armada. Following an O’Doherty’s sack of Derry it was burnt out.
Mount Errigal is the tallest mountain in Donegal. It is an iconic mountain & it’s quartzite form is unforgettable. It’s scree slopes make climbing a challenge. It’s everything you expect in a mountain on Ireland’s west coast.
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