Southwest Donegal

The northernmost stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way: the 600-metre sea cliffs of Slieve League, Glenveagh Castle and its lake, Mount Errigal, and Malin Head on the Inishowen Peninsula.

County Donegal sits in the far northwest of Ireland and forms the northernmost section of the Wild Atlantic Way, with Donegal Town as its traditional gateway. The county roughly divides into three parts. In the southwest, the road runs west from Donegal Town past the fishing port of Killybegs to the Slieve League cliffs, Glencolumbkille and the silver strand at Malin Beg; at around 600 m, the cliffs make this the most dramatic coastline on the whole route. The north-central area is Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) country, where Mount Errigal, the Poisoned Glen and Glenveagh National Park form a wild upland landscape, while the north coast offers Horn Head, Fanad Head Lighthouse and plenty of empty beaches. In the northeast, the Inishowen Peninsula loop links the Grianán of Aileach stone fort, the Mamore Gap and Malin Head, Ireland's northernmost point. The best time to visit is May–Sep, when days are long and seas calmer; wind and rain are common year-round, and winter brings short days and strong winds on the cliffs, so pack a waterproof jacket. Getting there: it's about a 3–4-hour drive from Dublin or Belfast, and the nearest airport is City of Derry Airport (Northern Ireland). Public transport within the county is sparse, so you'll essentially need a car; roads are narrow and winding, and traffic drives on the left. Allow 3–5 days: one day for Donegal Town, Slieve League and Glencolumbkille; one for Glenveagh, Errigal and the Poisoned Glen; one for Horn Head and Fanad Head; and one for the Inishowen loop up to Malin Head. In the evenings, catch traditional music in the town pubs; Donegal tweed makes a classic souvenir. Note: Donegal is in the Republic of Ireland (euros), while across the border on the Derry side in Northern Ireland, pounds sterling are used.

Top sights

• Slieve League Cliffs – One of Europe's highest sea cliffs. The roughly 600 m cliffs plunge straight into the Atlantic, and the Bunglass viewpoint offers spectacul…
• Donegal Castle – The O’Donnell family castle in the center of Donegal Town, with a 15th-century tower joined to a 17th-century Jacobean-style manor house. T…
• Glencolmcille Folk Village – An open-air folk museum by a bay in the Gaeltacht, where thatched cottages recreate rural life from different periods.
• Assaranca Waterfall – A multi-tier waterfall visible right from the road, with water cascading down the rock face. It is a small stop on the way to Maghera Beach.
• Maghera Beach & Caves – A wide, empty stretch of sand surrounded by dunes, where at low tide you can walk into a string of deep sea caves and sea arches beneath th…
• Glengesh Pass – A hairpin mountain road linking Glencolmcille and Ardara. From the top of the pass you can look down on a green glacial valley, making it a…
• Silver Strand, Malin Beg – A horseshoe-shaped bay of white sand, surrounded by cliffs, with about 170 steps leading down to the beach. The water is bright blue.
• Killybegs – Ireland’s largest fishing port, with harbor docks full of deep-sea trawlers. Seafood restaurants and the history of hand-knotted carpets ar…
• Fintra Beach – A Blue Flag beach west of Killybegs, with fine, gently sloping sand and clear water, staffed by lifeguards in summer.
• Muckross Head – Layered sandstone sea cliffs and small beaches. It is a famous climbing site, and at low tide you can walk along the rock layers and watch…
• Donegal Abbey – The ruins of a Franciscan friary by the mouth of the Eske River. The Annals of the Four Masters was connected with monks from this abbey.
• Bluestack Mountains & Lough Eske – Wild mountains north of Donegal Town, with driving and walking routes around Lough Eske at their foot.
• Lough Derg (Station Island) – Ireland's most famous pilgrimage site, St Patrick's Purgatory: a cathedral and penitential stone beds on an island in Loch Dearg.
• Rossnowlagh Beach – A golden strand about 3 km long with gentle waves, one of the birthplaces of Irish surfing and a great place to learn.
• Bundoran – Ireland's surfing capital: a seaside town with the famous reef break 'The Peak', clifftop coastal walks and amusement attractions.

Where to eat

• Anderson's Boathouse – An award-winning seafood restaurant by the harbour in Killybegs, whose seafood chowder was named Ireland's best in two…
• Olde Castle Bar – A family-run old pub beside Donegal Castle, where the seafood platter and seafood chowder are must-orders for visitors.
• Killybegs Seafood Shack – A budget-friendly seafood shack on the harbour, where fish and chips and seafood boxes are fresh and good value.

Itineraries

• Ultimate Wild Atlantic Way – Drive the entire west coast from north to south, from Donegal to Kinsale, taking in sea cliffs, islands, and peninsulas.
• Northern Ireland & Northwest Loop – Head north from Dublin to Belfast and the Giant's Causeway, then loop back to Galway via Donegal and Mayo.