clonmanysdaughter

Thanks to this forum, our Ireland plans may have to be reconsidered. We (four of us)want to spend a few days in Antrim County and were originally heading southwest from there, ending up in Galway for day or two. The more we read about County Donegal, we're now thinking that we should spend some time there instead of heading toward Galway. Our plan is for a 12 day vacation but if we need 14, that can be arranged. We're traveling in late April so reservations must be made very soon. Can you suggest the "must see" areas in County Donegal we can comfortably cover in 7 to 9 days? Which airport would be the most convenient; we're flying AerLingus. Any insight you can give us will be appreciated.

colbeck

County Donegal is beautiful, particularly the northern part. We especially enjoyed the area near Lough Swilly, which is between the western side of the Inishowen Peninsula and the rest of northern Donegal. We stayed at Rathmullen House Hotel, which was very nice and in an excellent location for touring.

Donegal Town is a very bustling place, but a quiet, very pleasant place to stay is St. Ernan's Country House, which is about two miles out of town.

Regarding an airport, Belfast would probably be the handiest major airport to both Antrim and Donegal, but I don't believe that Air Lingus flys there. There is a smaller airport in Donegal, with connections through Dublin.

Holldoll

I don't know about a must see, but we spent a day in Killybegs and really enjoyed it. It's a fishing village that we found very charming. Quite close to Slieve League (sp?) as well.

chip

Our favorite B&B was just outside of Donegal town on St. John's Point...Castle Murray House. (not far from Killybegs) Beautiful scenery and a wonderful stay that included a great meal.

We drove west from there out to Glencolumbkille, then up the coast, then inland to Glenveagh National Park and Castle.

I defienately would have liked more time to explore all around the northern coast. We stayed outside of Letterkenny.

Since the area is so vast...you may want to consider a couple days in northern donegal and a couple in southern donegal to explore.

Sandylan

I enjoyed visiting Glenveagh National Park in the north of the county. See www.glenveaghnationalpark.ie .
Slieve League Cliffs were spectacular on the south coast, a few miles west of Killybegs.

tower

clonmanys daughter:

You'll love the entire Donegal area...we, too, were taken by Killybegs, but also loved exploring the northern region from Letterkenny north and west. With 14 days, perhaps you'll want to go into Northern Ireland for a few days...and see the Dunluce Castle, Giants Causeway, Bushmills, the Glens of Antrim...easy drive...especially from Letterkenny.
Plenty of nice looking b and b's ....we stayed in The Meadows in Cushendall..beautiful.

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Stu T.