scenic drives donegal

Glenties to Ballybofey via the Donegal Highlands.
This route cuts across the central mountainous section of County Donegal. Mountains that will come into view on the way include, Gouguin and Aghla Mountains. To the south the Bluestack mountains offer an ideal environment for the nature lover....

The Gaeltacht, this is a generic term for areas in Ireland where the Irish Language is the first language of the people and the social and cultural traditions associated with this linguistic tradition are safeguarded. Donegal contains the largest native Irish speaking population in the country. This tour encompasses a large part of the Donegl Gaeltacht and Falcarragh.
Dungloe, the principal town in the Rosses, is an important game angling centre and colourful resort situated on an island...

Leaving Donegal Town in a southerly direction take the N15 that leads into Laghey, from there turn in an easterly direction on the R232 and make for Pettigo, a picturesque village on the Fermanagh / Donegal border....

Gweedore to Letterkenny and the Poisoned Glen.
Just outside Gweedore is the famous Mount Errigal, the Ulster Way path passes by the mountain and leads into the Derryveagh Mountain range.
At the eastern edge of the range is Glenveagh National Park, which is  a protected environment for the deer that roam the isolated hillsides that descend to Glenveagh Castle, now an exhibition centre for the park....

Buncrana to Carndonagh via Slieve Snacht.
Buncrana is a fast growing town on the eastern shore of Lough Swilly. A traditional holiday centre for neighbouring Derry, Buncrana has seen large amounts of foreign investment arriving in recent years. To the north of the town on the R238 is Slieve Snacht mountain, measuring 615 metres at its highest point. To the north lies the market town of Carndonagh, by continuing on this route the road eventually leads to Malin Head, the most northerly poin...

Ireland's most northerly point lies in the Republic on this ragged triangular headland, not in Northern Ireland as most people would expect. Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly virtually isolate Inishowen from the rest of the county. The interior is a mix of low white farms and cottages huddling roped against the wind, and grand brown mountains rising toward Slieve Snaght. The scenic 160km route around the edge of Inishowen takes in Malin Head, castles, churches, High Crosses and pre-Christian antiq...

One of Donegal's most popular peninsular drives where the road runs around the glorious Rosguill Peninsula with Downings at its base. Signposted circuit of the Rosguill Peninsula past much photographed Tra na Rosann....

Exciting sea cliffs fringe the popular resort of Bundoran, the staring point for this drive. Boasting an EC Blue Flag quality beach, which attracts thousands of families in the summer months, this seaside town has added to its year-round appeal by its lively entertainment programme.
Driving north on the N15 towards Ballyshannon, situated on the River Erne since it was founded in the 17th century, the steep, narrow streets of Ballyshannon give this town a character and atmosphere which is...

Deep bays and spectacular peninsular scenery, an ancient Celtic castle, a rock where the O'Donnell Chieftains were inaugurated, and a most varied and interesting forest park, are some of the fascinating attractions of this drive presided over by massive Muckish Mountain....

The very popular Heritage Town of Ardara, a leading centre for the Donegal hand-woven tweed and hand-knit garment industry, is the starting point for the varied drive. Follow the signs from Dungloe heading north from Ardara. Some 6km out take a left, signposted Rosbeg. Small, picturesque cottages are tucked into the lea of the rounded hills before Loughros Mor Bay opens up to your left, with Slievetooey dominating the horizon. Nearing Rosbeg you will see Kiltorris Lough to the right an...