Hi, We leave late August for 8 days in Connemara, Donegal and the Inishowen Penninsula. Any advice? Have our hotels reserved but what about "must sees" and "must eats". 2nights Connemara, 2 nights Donegal town, 2 nights Inishowen and then back to Galway 1 night, and Bunratty 1 night. We love seafood and small pubs for lunch and this is my fourth trip to beautiful Ireland. Looking for more "off the beaten track" Thanks.

Good choice. It's rare to see people going up north.<BR><BR>I loved Fanad Head which is one peninsula west of Inishowen. The drive out from Letterkenny is beautiful. Watching the surf crash against the rocks at the base of the lighthouse is something you won't ever forget. <BR><BR>Most of Donegal is off the beaten path. See Glenveigh Nat'l Park. Drive the southern coast of Donegal out towards Glencolmcille (probably mispelled that) and take the "scenic route" to Kilcar and Carrick. The road there is scary, but worth it. <BR><BR>When you get to Carrick, if you turn left at the Sleive League Pub towards Teelin, you'll be headed for Slieve League. These cliffs are spectacular, the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Don't be confused by the way, there will be a sign for Slieve League as you approach Teelin. Pass it and follow the road to Bunglass. You'll get to a closed gate. Open it and drive through it (close it too). There is a car park at the top. You could park at the bottom and enjoy the walk, but we were there during gale force winds and didn't want to make the 20-30 minute walk.<BR><BR>Ok, those were my favorites in Donegal and everyone will have info on the Connemara.<BR><BR>Bill

I live in Dublin and have set off to see Glenveagh National Park on 6 occasions.I never made it.Every time I went I found somewhere interesting along the way and had to put off the visit to the park until the next time.I did though get to see the Slieve League Cliffs which are well worth seeing.I also liked Malin Head and the castle in Donegal town as well as much of the coast.One place on the way that has held me up is Sligo,where Yeats is buried.I always enjoy finding some new Yeats connection when I go in that direction.Put words like Donegal and Sligo in the text search box for lots more information.

I love both of those parts of Ireland. The Inishowen Peninsula is magical.<BR><BR>There's a good restaurant (lots of seafood) in Roundstone, a small village in Connemara. I have the world's worst memory, so I can't remember the name, but it's painted blue, and there are a pub and hotel attached.

Ann, is it Beola? I can't remember the color of the restaurant but it belongs to a hotel on the harbor in Roundstone. Maybe between the two of us?

Kam, I think that's it. I have their card at home, so I should check it. Restaurant's on the left, pub's on the right? They had a seafood chowder/soup that was just incredible. The whole place looked really nice--I'd definitely consider staying in the hotel next time I'm in the area.<BR><BR>My husband and I were the only people in the restaurant when we arrived. A party of 4 (older people, all from Ireland) came in later. We had finished a very good meal when theirs arrived. The two women immediately demanded to see the manager. Their problem was that they had ordered a "fillet steak" from the menu, and were served a sirloin steak. The manager apologized, and said their meal would be on the house. But that wasn't good enough for the women. They both said "Oh, but we couldn't possibly eat that", so they ordered a whole new meal. Too bad I was so full, as those steaks looked delicious.

caitlin, erin, Kathleen,<BR><BR>Have you checked back with irelandexpert.com and irelandyes.com? They have both answered your questions. I will post both separately since Fodors will not accept lenghty replies.

Evidently I must break the messages into bits since Fodors won't accept messages of hardly any length.<BR><BR>This is the question from irelandyes.com<BR><BR>erin<BR>Unregistered User<BR>(7/24/02 2:32:53 pm)<BR><BR>Connemara, Donegal and Inishowen Peninsula<BR>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>We've been to Ireland several times and want to get a bit off the beaten track. Connemara is one of our favorite places so we will begin at Ballynahinch Castle for two days after a day to time adjust in Kinvara. We have all our hotels booked but need advice about what the "must sees" are and driving times. This begins late August into September so am concerned about what to pack. Let me know what you think of this:<BR>Day 1--arrive Shannon, drive to Kinvara and rest up.<BR>Day 2--Drive to Ballynahinch Castle and drive around in Connemara<BR>Day 3--Drive to Westport for the day(already seen Kylemore Abbey twice) and back to Ballynahinch<BR>Day 4--Drive via Sligo to Donegal town. Stay in Donegal.<BR>Day 5--Drive in Donegal to Ardara and overnight again in Donegal town.<BR>Day 6--Drive to St. John's Country House in Fahan along the Atlantic.<BR>Day 7 Drive the Inishowen Peninsula and stay at St. John's<BR>Day 8(I'm concerned about this one) Drive back down to Galway and stay near Cong (what's the best/fastest/interesting route??)<BR>Day 9--Back to Shannon--stay Bunratty<BR>Day 10-home<BR>We are interested in history, the countryside, crafts and cozy pubs/restaurants for good lunches. Any thoughts greatly appreciated. <BR><BR>

This is the answer from irelandyes.com <BR><BR>Michele Erdvig<BR>ezOP<BR>(7/26/02 9:07:55 pm)<BR>Reply Re: Connemara, Donegal and Inishowen Peninsula<BR>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>Hi Erin,<BR><BR>Welcome to my forum. It's great to hear you are going back to Ireland again. Connemara is one of my favorite spots in Ireland also.<BR><BR>Sorry to take so long answering but I have been unusually busy for a few days finishing up itineraries for clients. Plus you had so many questions and aren't going for a while; I wanted to take the time to answer you thoroughly.<BR><BR>First, let me say that your itinerary looks very good although the drive on Day 8 will be a long one. I would stick to the main roads to make the trip quicker and easier and from Claremorris head southwest to Cong. You are probably looking at approximately 5-6 hours drive time (without stops and depending on factors like traffic, road works, weather, your driving style, etc.)<BR><BR>Since you have been before I'm sure you probably have several travel guides about Ireland. Be sure to go through them to decide the best things to see and do. They will probably have restaurant recommendations too. <BR><BR>Some interesting sightseeing in the areas you will be in might include:<BR><BR>Kilmacduagh Monastic Site<BR>Coole Park<BR>Thoor Ballylee<BR>Cong Abbey<BR>Ashford Castle Gardens<BR>Roundstone & Dog's Bay<BR>Sky Road (nr. Clifden)<BR>Connemara National Park<BR>Inishbofin Island<BR>Cruise on Killary Harbor<BR>Westport House<BR>Achill Island, Atlantic Drive & Minaun Mountain (in good weather)<BR>Westport House (check on opening times)<BR>Parke's Castle<BR>Donegal Castle<BR>Scenic Drive to St. John's Point (near Killybegs)<BR>Muckross Head (nr. Kilcar)<BR>Doe Castle (nr. Cresslough--check in Donegal to see if it's open as there has been ongoing re-building on it for the past couple of years)<BR>Glenvegh National Park<BR>Grianan of Aileach (stone fort)<BR>The Rosses<BR>Bloody Foreland<BR>Horn Head<BR>Rosguill Peninsula<BR>Fanad Peninsula<BR>Inishowen 100 Scenic Drive<BR>Gap of Mamore<BR>Malin Head<BR><BR>As you can see there is more than enough to keep you busy. You may just have to plan another trip!<BR><BR>Drive times (depends on route and other factors already mentioned above):<BR><BR>Day 1: 2 hours<BR>Day 2: Depends on where you go. Probably all day.<BR>Day 3: Ballynahinch to Westport: 2-2 1/2 hours or more one way (depends on route)<BR>Day 4: Ballynahinch to Donegal town: 4 hours<BR>Day 5: Donegal to Adara: 1 1/2 hours<BR>Day 6: Donegal to Fahan: 2 1/2-3 hours<BR>Day 7: Could take all day. Depends on where you go.<BR>Day 8: Fahan to Cong: 5-6 hours<BR>Day 9: Cong to Bunratty: 3 1/2 hours<BR><BR>There are so many nice, cozy restaurants and pubs along the way and I have lots of nice ones listed in my book. However, it would be too time-intensive to type them all here.<BR><BR>I suggest you take a look at my "Weather" and "Packing" pages (links at the bottom of this page) for more info about what to pack and weather to expect.<BR><BR>Whew!! I think I finally answered all your questions. Have a fun time and I hope the weather cooperates. Let us know how it goes.<BR><BR>Happy travels,<BR><BR>Michele<BR><BR><BR>

this is the question and answer from irelandexpert.com. It is shorter so might go through with one posting.<BR><BR>In Reply to: Driving from Inishowen to Caherlistrane, near Cong posted by kathleen on July 26, 2002 at 20:29:30:<BR><BR>: Hi Pat, Our trip is almost upon us and I'm still in a quandry about what to do about this drive. We are going to spend two days in Donegal town and two days in Fahan so need to find the most speedy way to drive from St. John's Country House in Fahan to Lisdonagh House in Caherlistrane. We will have already visited Westport and Sligo going north to Donegal and know Connemara quite well. Unless there is something that we must see, what's the fastest route? At this point we'll be tired and sad to be leaving Ireland and just want to enjoy the beauty of the area and have a good meal and good night's sleep. As always, thanks! You've be invaluable in the planning of this even though it's our 4th trip to Ireland! <BR><BR>Dear Kathleen,<BR><BR>The fastest route is via the main roads -- N 13 and N 15 down from Donegal, N17 from Sligo toward Galway, and then veer off N 17 when you reach Claremorris and head toward Cong and your final destination. The roads are good and you will travel at a good pace, making the journey an easy 5-6 hours.<BR><BR>Best wishes for a great trip - from Killarney -- and thanks for the kind words!<BR>PAT

Did anyone notice that both Pat and Michelle said it would take 5-6 hours to get to that destination? Do they use the Michelin site?

I'm not sure what they use, but I found that Michelin tends to underestimate time. They indicate it will take two hours to get from Skerries to Belfast and it took me a little more than three. I drove at a speed that stayed with traffic, but towns like Drogheda really slow you down.<BR><BR>Caitlin: If you take the N15 from Donegal to Sligo, stop at the Glencar waterfall north east of Sligo about 10 miles off the main road. It shows up on the Micheling map. Beautiful setting.<BR><BR>Bill