County Donegal

County Donegal is one of Ireland's most beautiful counties and remote counties. In the far northwest corner of Ireland it is slowly being discovered as a tourist destination accessible by road and by air from Donegal regional and City of Derry airports. It is also home to 7 outstanding links courses that are waiting to be discovered.

Donegal is large county and the attractions are many. Bloody Foreland, in the northwest is pounded by the Atlantic and has many small villages steeped in history. Emigration was a fact of life here and it is undoubtedly one of the most visited regions by visitors of Irish descent seeking to trace their roots. A coastal route from Dunfanaghy in the north following the coast through Glenties and Aradara and into Glencolumkille - the home of one of Ireland's earliest Christian saints and steeped in history and ancient monuments. East of Glencolumkille is the important fishing town of Killybegs and just east again the historic town of Donegal. Between Donegal and Killybegs is the Castlemurray House Hotel - a small hotel is a truly spectacular location and famous for its terrfic cuisine.

Golf is concentrated on the north coast - there are world class links at Portsalon and Rosapenna and two 18-hole masterpieceas at Ballyliffin. The massive links at Murvagh is just south of Donegal town (towards Sligo) and is also first rate - it was designed by Eddie Hackett.

See also our region guide to the northwest or visit the official County Donegal tourism website .