County Donegal is the northernmost part of the Irish province of Ulster, which is even further north than Northern Ireland. The area has a number of attractions that you don’t want to miss and some interesting places that are a bit off the beaten path.
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County Donegal Fast Facts
County Donegal, in the Irish province of Ulster, is the northernmost county, but it is part of the Republic of Ireland. Other interesting facts about the county include:
- The Irish name for County Donegal is Contae Dhúnna nGall , which literally translates to ‘Castle of Strangers’. This name is commonly believed to refer to the Vikings.
- The Irish car registration letters used on license plates are DL.
- The county town is Lifford. Other major cities are Ballybofey, Ballyshannon, Bunchrana, Bundoran, Carndonagh, Donegal Town, Dunglow, Killybegs, Letterkenny, and Stranolar.
- The size of County Donegal is quite large, at 4,830 square kilometers. The population figures are much more moderate, according to the 2011 census there are 161,137 people living here.
- County Donegal can claim various nicknames. In the GAA it is known as “the hills,” or “Tyrconnell,” or “O’Donnell County,” in reference to both an ancient kingdom and an ancient ruling family. Less glamorous is the name ‘Herring-Gutters’, which refers to the still busy fishing industry.
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Liga Slieve
The Slieve League Cliffs are the highest sea cliffs in Europe. An almost steep drop of about 2,000 feet separates the Atlantic Ocean from the highest point of the cliffs. This is a guaranteed lethal drop, so extra care is recommended, especially with children. The Slieve League is not easy to get to as it is signposted only locally and is in the middle of one of the most remote areas in Ireland. However, the view is worth every twist and turn needed to get there.
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Tweed shopping at Magee
When visiting Donegal Town, you will notice the Magee store downtown, which is also something of a hub for the tweed trade in the area. The sprawling emporium has everything you need to remind you of your visit to Ireland, from small souvenirs to complete ensembles in styles ranging from conservative to modern.
If you’re not too tired of all the shopping, head over to Donegal Castle, which is just around the corner!
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Rossnowlagh Orange Parade
It’s a time of great rarity, orange men and women descend upon the sleepy seaside town of Rossnowlagh to parade from church to beach. What has the pitfalls of a beach excursion (complete with ice cream vendors, food stalls, and tacky souvenir stalls) is, in fact, the only Orange Order parade in the Republic of Ireland. If you are in the area in July, be sure to visit!
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Rathmullan Tribute to the Flight of the Earls
The Flight of the Earls Heritage Center in the small town of Rathmullan will provide visitors with an insight into the momentous event in Irish history when rebels Hugh O’Neill and Rory O’Donnell emigrated in 1607, effectively leaving Ireland in the hand of the English.
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Glenveagh National Park
Glenveagh National Park is the northernmost of Ireland’s National Parks, nestled on 16,000 acres of mountainside in County Donegal. It is possible to see eagles and other wildlife in this remote and beautiful wilderness area, which is also known for its rugged mountains and crystal clear and mirrored lakes. The park is made up, in part, of the old Glenveagh estate and its mountains, but also of the peat bogs of the Lough Barra swamp.
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El misterioso Grianan Ailigh
The Grianan Ailigh (or Grianan de Aileach) is a stone structure that can be interpreted in various ways. The main section visible today is a ringfort, the original of which was destroyed long ago, but has since been restored. However, a nearby holy well and other older structures suggest other historical uses for the site.
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Glencolumbkille
The small town of Glencolumbkille (also known as Glencolmcille or Gleann Cholm Cille) is located in a very remote part of Donegal Gaeltacht, where Irish is frequently spoken.
In 1951, Father James McDyer developed the first community facilities in an area that did not even have electricity at the time and tried to halt the general decline of the village. One of his ideas was the development of small local industries and a visitor-friendly village and folk museum. This early effort to develop tourism in Donegal is still worth visiting.
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Spiritual Healing in Saint Patrick’s Purgatory
This is not a tourist attraction, but a strictly open pilgrimage site for those seeking meaning and direction or just quiet contemplation. For any traveler who wants to experience the spirituality of Ireland, Lough Derg (also known as Saint Patrick’s Purgatory) deserves serious consideration.
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Traditional Music in County Donegal
Visiting County Donegal and have something to do at night? Well, you could do worse than go out to a local pub, which, by default, will be an ‘original Irish pub’. Once there, why not join a traditional Irish session? Most sessions start around 9:30 pm, or whenever a few musicians get together.
