Visitng the Northwest for a week
 

We will be spending about one week (out of 5) in the northwest. Would you recommend a particular area as a base for day trips for the whole time, or are there recommendations for stops (2 nights, 3 nights) along the way instead. We will be heading to the northwest from Kerry and will be continuing on around the north and east coasts for the finish of our trip.

Thanks!

Alison

Hi Alison:

I'm kind of wondering what part of the NW you have in mind. If it were me, I would spend three days around Killybegs and 2 days in the far north (Letterkenny area) and then move on to NI.

The drive from Co Kerry to Donegal would take a full day and you would be passing quite a bit of beauty in between. Co Sligo is beautiful also and there are some fascinating historical sights in the area. Let us know what you had in mind to see.

Bill

Letterkenny is mnot the far north, only the beginning of it. You need to spend youw two nights in Ballyliffen in the middle of the Inishowen Peninsula, from where you can see Malin Head and the rest of Inishowen. Then take the 10 minute ferry from Greencastle to Magilligan to start your tour of Northern Ireland - you will only be about half an hour from Giant's Causeway. Stay in Rossaor House in Ballyliffen, a good B&B.

Bill,
Thanks for the suggestions and question. Having never been, I have no fixed idea of what to see in the NW. After three weeks in the SE/SW, I think we will want to meander on our way north. We do not want to be on the road every day looking for a new place to stay (did that in Scotland and learned that we hated the stress of it!)

We love walking, historic sites, interesting geography, and being in the country over the city. But we do like historic towns with interesting shops and pubs! A couple of bases that we can use for day trips in any direction would be ideal.

Don't know if that helps! It all looks wonderful in the DK book!

Alison

Hello Alison,
I have just returned from an easter trip in the Donegal area.We arrived at Donegal airport and headed for Bunbeg,where we made our base. We stayed at the Bunbeg house B&B (see wbsite) at the smallest harbour in the world.Highly recommend.
We did a full day at Glenveigh National park,hiking and had a cream tea at the castle.I really enjoyed the beaches in this area, comparable to the carribean, would you beleive. When the tide was out in the early evening we would drive on the beaches and enjoy the night sky. There are some great places for food in this area and numerous pubs,and just to let you know there is a smoking ban in all pubs and restaurant in Ireland.
Clannad and Enya are from this area and there is a family bar/ restaurant called LEO`S which is worth a visit.

Enjoy,
Angie

Alison & cod:

I chose the Letterkenny area (though I wouldn't stay in Letterkenny town itself) because it is a good jumping off point for both Inishowen and Fanad. Actually, I've stayed in Dunfanaghy and I really enjoyed it.

The coastal areas that Angie talks about are great also. In fact it's hard to find a coastal area in Donegal that isn't fantastic. The are generally deserted or close to it.

There is not much in the way of cities in the NW and Donegal is very remote. I think you will love it. The drive along the southern coast is incredible and will take you to Slieve League (the highest sea cliffs in Europe) and eventually out to Glencolmcille & Malinmore. Along the road towards Carrick, you will see options to take the scenic coastal route. You must do this. The roads are very narrow, but well worth the fear gained from them. As for B&Bs, the Ocean View west of Killybegs and Credo House east of the town are very nice.

As cod said, staying on the Inishowen Peninsula is very nice and there is a lot to see on the Inishowen loop (about 100 miles and a full day). I loved the drive out to Fanad Head also. Doe Castle is off the road between Letterkenny and Dunfanghy and I think the refurbishment of it should be done by now. It wasn't open when we were there, but it's location is wonderful.

There is so much to see in the north and it gets ignored a lot because of the much better advertised SW. I hope it stays that way because I like the remote feel of it. You could easily spend 2-3 weeks in the northern half of the island and wish you had much more.

Hope this helps.

Bill

I might base in or near Donegal Town or Killybegs for a couple of nights. (Donegal Town has more shops and a visit to Donegal Castle is interesting.) Then, I'd spend a couple of nights along the west coast. (Dungloe is the largest town and it's not big. You could also settle in the areas around Annagary or Bunbeg. Quite remote and very beautiful.)I'd finish up with a couple of nights on the Fanad Peninsula (Portsalon area) or the Inishowen Peninsula (maybe Carndonagh or Molville).

Thanks for all the help! I will be spending the evening looking over the maps to locate all the great places that you have suggested.

We are SO looking forward to this trip!

Alison

We really enjoyed our visit to Aranmore Island, too. You get the ferry at Burtonport, just north of Dungloe. We stayed overnight, but it would be an easy day trip. Great hikes and beautiful views, but I wouldn't do it unless you have good weather.

Alison:

I lost my mind and somehow though you were staying only 5 nights up there. With 7, spend a day driving to get there, and then perhaps divide the north and south with 3 days each. I still like Killybegs but I've never stayed in Donegal.

Have fun!

Bill