County Donegal - CURIOUS IRELAND

Donegal Franciscan Friary, Donegal Town. County Donegal 1474

emmet2023-05-04T20:18:46+00:00

A friary caught in the cross-fire of Irish history This friary is located in a lovely coastal location near Donegal Town. It was founded under the patronage of Finula and Red Hugh O’Donnell [...]

Donegal Franciscan Friary, Donegal Town. County Donegal 1474emmet2023-05-04T20:18:46+00:00

Glenevin Waterfall. Clonmany. County Donegal

emmet2023-10-11T13:53:23+00:00

Ireland's most northerly waterfall Glenevin Waterfall is located at the end of a 1 km trail starting at Glen House near the village of Clonmany. The beautiful waterfall cascades down 40 feet into [...]

Glenevin Waterfall. Clonmany. County Donegalemmet2023-10-11T13:53:23+00:00

Lough Derg Retreat, Station Island. County Donegal

emmet2023-06-24T11:39:09+00:00

Donegal's heavenly getaway Lough Derg is the location of one of Ireland's most ancient places of pilgrimage. Pilgrims have been traveling here for centuries for the stunning scenery and soothing surroundings allowing visitors [...]

Lough Derg Retreat, Station Island. County Donegalemmet2023-06-24T11:39:09+00:00

Murder Hole Beach, Mulroy Head. County Donegal

emmet2024-03-09T16:37:01+00:00

Don't let the name stop you visiting Murder Hole Beach can be located on the Melmore Head Peninsula in County Donegal. It is surrounded by huge cliffs, hills, dunes, and small hidden caves. There [...]

Murder Hole Beach, Mulroy Head. County Donegal emmet2024-03-09T16:37:01+00:00

Fanad Head Lighthouse, Fanad Head. County Donegal 1817

emmet2023-10-05T16:06:17+00:00

One of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world Fanad Head Lighthouse is located at the mouth of Lough Swilly on one of the wildest and most dramatic headlands in Ireland. The landscape [...]

Fanad Head Lighthouse, Fanad Head. County Donegal 1817emmet2023-10-05T16:06:17+00:00

St Michael’s Church, Creeslough. County Donegal 1971

emmet2023-06-24T11:09:13+00:00

Designed by Ireland's 'grandfather of modern church architecture' St. Michael’s Church in Creeslough was designed in 1971 by the renowned Irish architect Liam McCormick. McCormick is one of only a handful of Irish [...]

St Michael’s Church, Creeslough. County Donegal 1971emmet2023-06-24T11:09:13+00:00

Rathmullan House, Rathmullan. County Donegal 1870

emmet2023-06-24T11:09:37+00:00

Boutique hotel on the shores of Lough Swilly Rathmullan House can be found on the south coast of Lough Swilly and is surrounded by mature gardens, mountains, loughs, and beaches. This was originally [...]

Rathmullan House, Rathmullan. County Donegal 1870emmet2023-06-24T11:09:37+00:00

Biddy’s O’Barnes Pub, Barnesmore Gap. County Donegal Est.1880

emmet2024-02-26T18:33:33+00:00

Bad luck if you don't stop! Biddy's O' Barnes is located in a deep glaciated ravine in the Bluestack Mountains and is named after one of its famous landladies. This is one of [...]

Biddy’s O’Barnes Pub, Barnesmore Gap. County Donegal Est.1880 emmet2024-02-26T18:33:33+00:00

Lough Eske Castle Hotel, Lough Eske. County Donegal 1868

emmet2023-06-24T11:11:07+00:00

Donegal's 5-star beauty Lough Eske was once part of the domain of the powerful O’Donnell clan who ruled from the nearby Donegal Castle for hundreds of years. After the Flight of the Earls in [...]

Lough Eske Castle Hotel, Lough Eske. County Donegal 1868 emmet2023-06-24T11:11:07+00:00

Glenveagh Castle, Glenveagh National Park. County Donegal 1867

emmet2024-03-10T17:30:35+00:00

Colorful castle & An awesome national park Glenveagh Castle was built in 1867 by John George Adair, a wealthy land speculator from Co. Laois. His dream was to create a beautiful hunting estate [...]

Glenveagh Castle, Glenveagh National Park. County Donegal 1867 emmet2024-03-10T17:30:35+00:00

Rathmullan Village. County Donegal

emmet2023-06-24T11:10:22+00:00

The scenic departure point of the Flight of the Earls Rathmullan is a beautiful seaside village located on the shores of Lough Swilly. This was the scene of one of the most important [...]

Rathmullan Village. County Donegalemmet2023-06-24T11:10:22+00:00

O’Dohertys Keep, Buncrana. County Donegal c.13th or c.16th?

emmet2024-03-10T18:32:37+00:00

Keep it secret This little building is locally known as 'O'Doherty's Keep'. It resembles a 15th-century fortified tower house but recent excavations revealed that it may possibly be a corner tower of an [...]

O’Dohertys Keep, Buncrana. County Donegal c.13th or c.16th?emmet2024-03-10T18:32:37+00:00

Doon Fort, Portnoo, County Donegal c.5th AD

emmet2024-03-10T19:11:30+00:00

O'Boyle's secret ringfort Doon Fort is an ancient ring fort hidden away in Doon Lough near the coastal village of Portnoo. It dates from the 5th century and was probably built as a [...]

Doon Fort, Portnoo, County Donegal c.5th AD emmet2024-03-10T19:11:30+00:00

Kilclooney Dolmen, Kilclooney, County Donegal 3500BC

emmet2024-03-09T19:12:18+00:00

Donegal's dazzler The Kilclooney Dolmen is located in southwest Donegal and is one of Ireland's most elegant. It is also one of the largest and heaviest examples in Europe weighing in at over [...]

Kilclooney Dolmen, Kilclooney, County Donegal 3500BCemmet2024-03-09T19:12:18+00:00

Ardmore Gallen Stone, Muff. County Donegal 500-1500BC

emmet2023-05-04T20:55:14+00:00

Zig-zags, cup marks and swirls The Ardmore Gallen Stone stands in a field near the village of Muff in Co. Donegal. More than 10,000 standing stones have been recorded in Ireland which were [...]

Ardmore Gallen Stone, Muff. County Donegal 500-1500BCemmet2023-05-04T20:55:14+00:00

The Morton God Dolmen, Iskaheen. County Donegal 2500-3500BC

emmet2023-05-04T20:51:55+00:00

The oldest monument on the Inishowen Peninsula The Morton God Dolmen may date back to 3500 BC and is one of the most overlooked ancient monuments in Inishowen. This portal tomb was believed to [...]

The Morton God Dolmen, Iskaheen. County Donegal 2500-3500BC emmet2023-05-04T20:51:55+00:00

Donegal Castle, Donegal Town, County Donegal 15th-17th centuries

emmet2024-02-17T15:20:08+00:00

Once the stronghold of the O'Donnells Donegal Castle was built by the O'Donnell Clan around 1470. It stayed in their hands until 1607 when many Irish chieftains including Red Hugh O'Donnell fled Ireland [...]

Donegal Castle, Donegal Town, County Donegal 15th-17th centuries emmet2024-02-17T15:20:08+00:00

St Mura’s Cross, Fahan. County Donegal c.7th or 8th century AD

emmet2023-06-28T08:05:01+00:00

One of Ireland's earliest decorated High Crosses St Mura’s Cross is located in the ancient monastic site at Fahan, County Donegal. This is a rare 'slab' type cross that is generally believed to be [...]

St Mura’s Cross, Fahan. County Donegal c.7th or 8th century ADemmet2023-06-28T08:05:01+00:00

Buncrana Castle, Swan Park, Buncrana. County Donegal 1718

emmet2024-02-19T10:09:10+00:00

One of Donegal's earliest 'Big Houses' Buncrana Castle is located near the mouth of the Crana River beside a small castle known as 'O'Doherty’s Keep’. These lands and most of Donegal were seized [...]

Buncrana Castle, Swan Park, Buncrana. County Donegal 1718emmet2024-02-19T10:09:10+00:00

Inch Island, Lough Swilly. County Donegal

emmet2023-05-04T20:56:31+00:00

A bird lovers paradise Inch Island is located in the middle of Lough Swilly in County Donegal. It is not a ‘true’ island anymore because, in 1855, The Lough Swilly Railway Company drained [...]

Inch Island, Lough Swilly. County Donegalemmet2023-05-04T20:56:31+00:00

Portsalon Beach, Ballymastocker Bay. County Donegal

emmet2023-05-04T21:03:04+00:00

One of Ireland's most beautiful beaches Ballymastocker Bay is also known as Portsalon Beach. This is a truly spectacular Blue Flag beach located on the Fanad Peninsula in north county Donegal. It was [...]

Portsalon Beach, Ballymastocker Bay. County Donegal emmet2023-05-04T21:03:04+00:00

Farren’s Bar, Malin Head. County Donegal Est.1825

emmet2024-02-26T18:31:30+00:00

Ireland's most northerly pint! Farren's Bar has been in the Farren Family for six generations and holds the claim to being Ireland's most northerly pub. According to online blogs...it apparently has stools along [...]

Farren’s Bar, Malin Head. County Donegal Est.1825emmet2024-02-26T18:31:30+00:00

Banba’s Crown, Malin Head. County Donegal 1805

emmet2023-10-05T15:57:25+00:00

The most northerly point of Ireland Banba's Crown is Ireland's most northerly building on the mainland. It was named 'Banba' after the mythological patron goddess of Ireland and was built by the British [...]

Banba’s Crown, Malin Head. County Donegal 1805emmet2023-10-05T15:57:25+00:00

Slieve League, Glencolumcille. County Donegal

emmet2023-08-02T15:15:50+00:00

Some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe The Slieve League Cliffs are amongst the highest sea cliffs in Europe rising 1972 feet above the Atlantic Ocean (making them nearly 3 times higher [...]

Slieve League, Glencolumcille. County Donegalemmet2023-08-02T15:15:50+00:00

St. Aengus’ Church, Burt. County Donegal 1967

emmet2023-05-04T21:07:09+00:00

Voted Ireland's 'Building of the Century' This stunning and timeless building is St. Aengus' Church located in Burt, co. Donegal. It was built in 1967 and was designed by local award-winning architects Frank [...]

St. Aengus’ Church, Burt. County Donegal 1967emmet2023-05-04T21:07:09+00:00

Doe Castle, Cresslough. County Donegal c.1500

emmet2023-05-04T21:04:20+00:00

The MacSweeney power-base Doe Castle was built by the MacSweeneys in the early 1500s. The MacSweeney’s were descendants of a class of elite Norse-Gaelic mercenaries known as Gallowglasses who lived along with the [...]

Doe Castle, Cresslough. County Donegal c.1500 emmet2023-05-04T21:04:20+00:00

The Cooley Cross, Moville. County Donegal c.9th AD

emmet2024-03-11T19:37:29+00:00

A Christian High Cross with a Pagan past The Cooley Cross is located just outside the perimeter walls of an ancient graveyard near Moville. This is an early example of a High Cross [...]

The Cooley Cross, Moville. County Donegal c.9th AD emmet2024-03-11T19:37:29+00:00

The Carrowmore High Crosses, Gleneely. County Donegal 7th & 9th AD

emmet2023-05-04T21:11:25+00:00

Two of Ireland's earliest High Crosses The 2 Carrowmore High Crosses are the most primitive-looking of the 6 located on Inishowen. The Carrowmore West Cross has short arms and no carvings and may [...]

The Carrowmore High Crosses, Gleneely. County Donegal 7th & 9th ADemmet2023-05-04T21:11:25+00:00

Carndonagh Cross, Carndonagh. County Donegal c.8th century AD

emmet2023-05-04T21:09:40+00:00

One of Ireland's most significant early High Crosses This cross is one of the earliest and most important High Crosses in Ireland. The highly ornate 'Celtic Crosses' that we all know from Irish [...]

Carndonagh Cross, Carndonagh. County Donegal c.8th century ADemmet2023-05-04T21:09:40+00:00

The Bocan Stone Circle, Culdaff, County Donegal 1500-2500BC

emmet2023-04-01T08:34:09+00:00

Ireland's most northerly stone circle This area of Inishowen is one of the richest in the country for historical monuments and nearby you can find ancient passage tombs, early Christian churches, rock art, [...]

The Bocan Stone Circle, Culdaff, County Donegal 1500-2500BC emmet2023-04-01T08:34:09+00:00

Malin Bridge, Malin, County Donegal 1758

emmet2023-03-30T19:35:58+00:00

Ireland's 2nd longest stone bridge Malin Bridge is a beautiful 10-arch bridge that was built in 1758 over the Ballyboe River. It is reputed to be the second-longest and most northerly bridge in [...]

Malin Bridge, Malin, County Donegal 1758emmet2023-03-30T19:35:58+00:00

Carrickabraghy Castle, Doagh Island, County Donegal c.1550

emmet2023-05-05T05:09:57+00:00

Ireland's wildest & most northerly castle Carrickabraghy Castle is located in one of the wildest and most northerly locations in Ireland. This was just one in a network of castles built to defend [...]

Carrickabraghy Castle, Doagh Island, County Donegal c.1550emmet2023-05-05T05:09:57+00:00

The Curiosity Shop, Malin Head. County Donegal

emmet2023-06-24T13:41:23+00:00

Ireland's most northerly shop The Curiosity Shop is located in the wilds of Malin Head. It is covered wall-to-wall in every type of bric-a-brac including pictures of Arthur Guinness, unusual wine bottle openers, [...]

The Curiosity Shop, Malin Head. County Donegalemmet2023-06-24T13:41:23+00:00

Northburg Castle, Greencastle, County Donegal 1305

emmet2023-05-30T11:22:47+00:00

Once one of Ireland's finest Norman castles Northburg Castle is locally known as 'Greencastle' and was once one of the most impressive Norman castles built in Ireland. It was built by Richard de [...]

Northburg Castle, Greencastle, County Donegal 1305emmet2023-05-30T11:22:47+00:00

The Temple of Deen, Culdaff. County Donegal 2500BC

emmet2023-10-05T16:00:15+00:00

Ancient meeting point for the United Irish League These granite rocks are the remains of a burial chamber known locally as the Temple of Deen. It is located near the village of Culdaff [...]

The Temple of Deen, Culdaff. County Donegal 2500BCemmet2023-10-05T16:00:15+00:00

Cloncha Church & High Cross, Culdaff. County Donegal c.10th AD

emmet2023-08-02T15:07:16+00:00

A hidden carved emblem of the GAA & an elegant High Cross The Cloncha Cross dates back to the 10th century AD and stands over 12 feet high. Its beautiful carvings are a hybrid [...]

Cloncha Church & High Cross, Culdaff. County Donegal c.10th ADemmet2023-08-02T15:07:16+00:00

Logan’s Cottage, Culdaff. County Donegal c.1800

emmet2024-02-26T19:05:19+00:00

A perfectly preserved example of a Donegal cottage This is a beautiful example of an unaltered traditional Irish cottage. The earliest cottages date from around 1700 as prior to that, our ancestors lived [...]

Logan’s Cottage, Culdaff. County Donegal c.1800emmet2024-02-26T19:05:19+00:00

Dunree Lighthouse, Dunree. County Donegal 1876

emmet2024-02-26T19:06:36+00:00

A light-headed cottage Dunree Lighthouse is located nearly 150-feet above sea level on Dunree Head. It has spectacular views over Lough Swilly across to the Fanad Pennisula and out to the wild north [...]

Dunree Lighthouse, Dunree. County Donegal 1876emmet2024-02-26T19:06:36+00:00

Buncrana Lighthouse Beacon, Buncrana, County Donegal 1876

emmet2023-10-05T16:08:04+00:00

Rescued from the scrap heap This little beacon stood at this location for 133 years between 1876 and 2009 after which it was condemned to the scrap yard. The Buncrana Historical Society, however, convinced [...]

Buncrana Lighthouse Beacon, Buncrana, County Donegal 1876emmet2023-10-05T16:08:04+00:00

Burt Castle, Burt. County Donegal 1560

emmet2023-05-05T05:19:20+00:00

One of Donegal's most prominent castles Burt Castle was built in 1560 on a small island surrounded by marshland. This was one of a network of castles built around Inishowen by the O'Doherty [...]

Burt Castle, Burt. County Donegal 1560emmet2023-05-05T05:19:20+00:00

Fahan House, Fahan, County Donegal 1765

emmet2023-05-05T05:22:08+00:00

Once home to Agnes Jones - the great nursing pioneer The most famous resident to occupy this house was Agnes Jones (1832-64), the nursing pioneer who spent her early life living here. She [...]

Fahan House, Fahan, County Donegal 1765emmet2023-05-05T05:22:08+00:00

The Squealin’ Pig Pub, Muff. County Donegal Est.1900

emmet2024-02-26T18:33:09+00:00

Hard liquor in Muff The Squeelin' Pig is a genuine authentic Irish pub located in the border village of Muff. To get to this great little bar from Derry you will have to [...]

The Squealin’ Pig Pub, Muff. County Donegal Est.1900emmet2024-02-26T18:33:09+00:00

Strove Lighthouse, Strove. County Donegal 1837

emmet2023-10-05T16:08:17+00:00

Lighting the Mouth of the Foyle Strove Lighthouse is located on a beautiful blue flag beach where Lough Foyle meets the wild Atlantic in north co. Donegal. This shipping lane has been used [...]

Strove Lighthouse, Strove. County Donegal 1837emmet2023-10-05T16:08:17+00:00

The Church of All Saints, Newtowncunningham. County Donegal 1999

emmet2023-05-05T05:24:31+00:00

Stylishly modern church inspired by St Peter's fishing boat This beautifully designed Catholic Church was built in 1999 at a cost of €1.2 million. The design is based on St Peter's fishing boat [...]

The Church of All Saints, Newtowncunningham. County Donegal 1999 emmet2023-05-05T05:24:31+00:00

Grainan of Aileach, Burt. County Donegal site 1700BC fort 700AD

admin2023-06-24T11:07:19+00:00

A fort with a big sunny view Grainan of Aileach is a stone ring fort that sits 800 feet above sea level and commands some of the best views in Ireland over Donegal, [...]

Grainan of Aileach, Burt. County Donegal site 1700BC fort 700ADadmin2023-06-24T11:07:19+00:00

The Beltany Stone Circle, Raphoe. County Donegal c.1400 BC > 400AD

emmet2023-06-24T11:38:02+00:00

The earliest & largest stone circle in Ireland The Beltany Stone Circle is one of the largest and earliest stone circles in Ireland with a diameter of 145 feet. It originally comprised of [...]

The Beltany Stone Circle, Raphoe. County Donegal c.1400 BC > 400AD emmet2023-06-24T11:38:02+00:00

Dunree Fort, Dunree. County Donegal 1804

emmet2023-06-24T11:38:26+00:00

One of Ireland's most stunning coastal forts Dunree Fort is located on a rocky promontory strategically located near the entrance to Lough Swilly. It gets its name from 'dun fhraoigh' which translates to [...]

Dunree Fort, Dunree. County Donegal 1804 emmet2023-06-24T11:38:26+00:00