scenic drives donegal

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...

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...

So complex is north Donegal's coast line that any tour can take many variations depending how much time you have. Best views are from minor roads rather than the N56, but skirting the peninsulas is time-consuming, and roads may be poorly surfaced. The highlights of the journey are the sculpted rocks at Crohy Head near Dungloe, the fiery headland known as Bloody Foreland and the panoramic seascapes around Horn Head and Rosguill. If you still have time and a taste for this gorgeous scenery, F...

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....

Letterkenny and Convoy Follow the N13 (Derry road) from Letterkenny and then turn right onto the N56 for Ballybofey/Stranorlar. Some 17km south, take the R236 left, signposted Convoy and Raphoe. Mullaghagarry Forest Park is on the right and a stop is worthwhile.
Continue north-east through the neat village of Convoy. Raphoe is a busy market town in a fertile heartland. North of Raphoe on a third class road is Mongorry Forest with pleasant forest walks and viewpoints, Continue north-e...

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...

Coastal drive with panoramic views of the North West Donegal coast. From Falcarragh follow the N56 coastal road that leads past Horn Head to Dunfanaghy. You can visit Mc Swiney’s Gun – a natural blow hole that at certain times, when the tide rushes in can give the effect of a loud explosion. Nearby Sheephaven Bay provides beautiful scenic views and Ards Forest Park, just north of Creeslough, is a haven for native Irish fauna....

Donegal Town to Lifford via Barnesmore Gap, Ballybofey, Convoy and Raphoe. The N15 from Donegal town skirts the southern extremities of the Bluestack Mountains. From there continue on to the twin towns of Ballybofey and Stranorlar, on the river Finn. Ballybofey is home of Magee Tweeds, from there it is a short drive to Lifford the administrative capital of Donegal....

Travelling west from the village of Killybegs you have wonderful sea-scapes to the left and the great bulks of Crownarad and Mulnanaff mountains looming before you. Leave the main road, turn left for the signposted coast road, and take this very scenic, if narrow , road to Kilcar. As you switch back and forward and plunge and climb over this roller coaster of a road you will be delighted by the views and different landscape perspectives offered by your journey....