 The
name Donegal comes from the Irish 'Dun
na nGall' meaning fort of the foreigner. Ireland's
most northerly county has little
in common with its neighbours in
the Republic, either geographically
or historically. Donegal's supreme
appeal lies in the natural beauty
of its coast, with windswept peninsulas,
precipitous cliffs and a host of
golden beaches that rival any in
Europe.
Blanket
bogs, now rare in the world, cover much
of the county. Donegal has been occupied
by humans for over 9,000 years and is
renowned for its history and archaeology.
Pre-Christian farmers left tomb monuments
which still dot the county, while evidence
of Viking settlements can also be seen.
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Slieve League
Cliffs |
Christianity had a profound influence in Donegal and
many early Christian monuments are still evident
today
These include
churches and religious sites commemorating
St. Colmcille, the Donegal man who converted
Scotland to Christianity. To the south, Lough
Derg is a famous pilgrimage site while.
Surrounded by
mountains and sea, Donegal has preserved its
Gaelic culture and language longer than most
places. Today, that language and culture remain
strong in its extensive Gaeltacht area stretching
from Fanad Head to Slieve League. Fishing and
tweed production are Donegal's major industries,
with exports world-wide. The county's friendly
people, lively pubs and fine restaurants all
add to the charm of Donegal.
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Main Donegal Tourist
Attractions Include :
Glencolmcille
Folk Village and Museum
This exhibition features Donegal's
cottage dwellings. It spans more than 300 years and has
family homes equipped with furniture, artefacts and utensils
of the period. The schoolhouse is also featured. Replicas
of local historical items, such as standing stones and
a round tower make for an interesting outdoor trail.
Slieve League Cliffs
Slieve League Cliffs, south of Glencolumbkille. and west
of Teelin in Co. Donegal are very spectacular. You can
take a hair rising 8 km drive, beyond Teelin, along roads
with hairpin bends and sheer drops to the sea to arrive at
this view at Bunglass Point. They are the highest cliff
face in Europe. The cliffs drop 765ft to the sea, and
Slieve League rises to 1972ft at its highest.
Colmcille
Monastry on Tory Island
For a thousand years the monastery
founded by Colmcille flourished until sacked by the Elizabethans.
The ruins are mostly in the west of Tory. Of the five
churches recorded in the middle ages only the ruins of
one remain. Cursing stones were used to keep out tax
collectors.
Access to the island by ferry from Magheraroarty, Bunbeg
and Portnablagh.
Colmcille
Heritage Centre
Located at Gartan, Churchill,
Letterkenny, this centre houses a unique interpretative
exhibition featuring the life and times of Saint Colmcille
(Columba) - Patriarch of the Irish monastic system and
founder of the Scottish Church. The exhibition is housed
in a beautiful stone building on the shores of Lough
Gartan, within the Derryveagh mountain range.
Donegal
County Museum
Located at High Street, Letterkenny,
houses a fascinating range of artefacts covering all
aspects of life in Donegal. The museum charts the history
of the county over the last three centuries, from the
Penal Laws to the emergency. Donegal County Museum is
based in a fine old stone building, once part of the
Letterkenny Workhouse, built in 1846.
Bundoran
Waterworld
With an indoor swimming and spectator
area. There is also an outdoor adventure playground and
award winning leisure facilities. Great famility facility.
Heritage Sites
The Glebe
House and Gallery
Located at Churchill, Letterkenny,
the Glebe House is a Regency house set in woodland gardens
beside Lake Gartan. The Glebe is decorated with William
Morris wallpapers and textiles and has Islamic and Japanese
art. The Derek Hill permanent collection includes 300
works by leading 20th century artists, including Picasso
and Kokosha, as well as Irish and Italian artists.
Glenveagh
National Park
Located at Churchill, Letterkenny.
Here within a late 19th century setting in a rugged and
remote mountain valley, Henry Mc Ilhenny from Philadelphia
created one of the most celebrated gardens in Ireland.
Woodland gardens and pleasure grounds, an Italian terrace
with antique sculpture and terracotta pots, are all skilfully
interwoven against the wild and beautiful Donegal landscape.
Ardara Heritage
Centre
Located at Ardara, it tells the story of Donegal
tweed from the shearing of sheep to the manufacture of
the woven cloth. Weavers at work show how a loom operates
and the different stitches which make up Aran knitwear
can be examined.
Donegal
Castle - Donegal Town
Built by the O'Donnell
chieftain in the 15th century, beside the River Eske,
the Castle has extensive 17th century
additions by Sir Basil Brooke. The Castle is furnished throughout
and includes Persian rugs and French tapestries. Information
panels chronicle the history of the Castle owners from the
O'Donnell chieftains to the Brooke family.
Newmills
Corn and Flax Mills - Letterkenny
The oldest surviving building here is said to
be 400 years old. Indeed, the whole complex is an interesting
reminder of a stage in the industrial development of this
country which has now given way to a more sophisticated,
but usually far less fascinating technology. The visitor
to Newmills can experience the pleasure of seeing one of
the largest waterwheels in Ireland in action as it drives
the machinery of the corn mill.
Interesting Tourist
Shops
Click for
Triona Design
website
Brings you the
tradition of hand woven tweed combined with the genius of
design. Fabrics range from the traditional tweeds to fine
cashmeres, lambs wool and silk mixes. Classic designs look
great whether dressed down for or the great outdoors or
glammed up for elegant evening wear.
Donegal
Parian China
Located in Ballyshannon, this
is a leading Pottery and Visitor Centre Complex. Donegal
Parian China is a delicate, handcrafted product created
by local crafts people.
Donegal
Craft Village
The village comprises a cluster
of small units grouped around a common courtyard and
divided into individual workshops leased by professional
craftworkers. The crafts include metalwork, batik, jewellery,
sculpture and a pipe maker.
The
Irish National Knitting Centre
Located at Lisfannon, Buncrana, highlights
what is best in the cottage industry in Ireland. In the
tourism section an Exhibition Room takes a light hearted
look at knitting through the ages. There is a sweater
shop and yarn centre tracing the old method of spinning
and dyeing.
