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Destinations > Ireland > County Donegal
County DonegalIreland's most northwestern county is Ireland at its most authentic. Its rugged coastline includes the towering cliffs of the Slieve League Peninsula plus there are plenty of picturesque towns and villages and large swathes of Gaelic-speaking gaeltacht area. Donegal Town (Dún na nGall)This quaint town on the River Eske has a compact town centre and plenty of welcoming pubs. Coming from Sligo, many travellers stop here for a day or two before heading to the Slieve League Peninsula. Practical InformationDonegal Tourist Information CentreThe Quay, DonegalTel (074) 972 1148 Website www.irelandnorthwest.ie Open Apr-Jun Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-2pm; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun noon-4pm; Sep-Oct Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-2pm Coming & GoingBus Éireann (website www.buseireann.ie) and McGeehan Coaches (website www.mcgeehancoaches.com) have direct buses from Donegal Town to Derry, Dublin, Glencolumbcille, Killybegs, Letterkenny and Sligo. AccommodationDonegal Town Independent HostelKillybegs Road, Donegal TownTel (074) 972 2805 
SightsDonegal AbbeyThe ruins of Donegal Abbey date from 1474. The Abbey is noted as the site where Franciscans compiled the Annals of the Four Masters, an epic chronicle of Irish history. Donegal CastleThis 15th century castle in the town centre features extensive 17th century additions. It is furnished with French tapestries and Persian rugs and there are informative displays about the castle's former owners. Bridge Street, DonegalTel (073) 22405 Website www.heritageireland.ie Admission €3.50 (€1.25 students) Open mid Mar-Oct 10am-6pm daily (last entry 5.15pm) Donegal Railway Heritage CentreAlthough County Donegal no longer has any train service, it once was well served by narrow gauge railways. The Donegal Railway Heritage Centre has artefacts and displays on the county's railway heritage. Tirconnaill Street, DonegalTel (074) 972 2655 Website www.countydonegalrailway.com Admission €3.50 Open Apr-May Mon-Fri 10am-5pm; Jun-Sep Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 2pm-5pm Slieve League PeninsulaThe Slieve League Peninsula's rocky coastline is renown for its cliffs, which reach heights of 610m making them Europe's highest. Coming & Going & Local TransportAlthough Bus Éireann (website www.buseireann.ie) and McGeehan Coaches (website www.mcgeehancoaches.com) run buses from Donegal Town to Killybegs and Glencolumbcille, buses are infrequent and many travellers without a car find hitchhiking the most practical way to get around. AccommodationDUNKINELLYDunkinelly is a small village on the coast road between Donegal Town and Killybegs. Blue Moon Hostel & CampingR 263, DunkinellyTel (074) 973 7264 
Gallagher's Farm HostelDarney, BrucklessTel (074) 973 7057
CARRICK, KILCAR & TEELINThe area around the villages of Carrick, Kilcar and Teelin is the closest point to the Slieve League cliffs. To get to the cliffs, at Carrick take the road to Teelin and keep driving to the lookout at the end of the road. Derrylahan Hostel is the closest hostel to the cliffs but you need a car to get to both the hostel and the cliffs. Derrylahan Independent HostelCoast Road, Derrylahan, KilcarTel (074) 973 8079
MALINBEG & GLENCOLMCILLEThe western end of the peninsula boasts spectacular scenery and great coastal views, but as Mary at the Dooey Hostel points out, "there's feck all to do here". Dooey HostelGlencolmcilleTel (074) 30130
Malinbeg HostelMalinbeg, GlencolmcilleTel (074) 973 0006
Letterkenny (Leitir Ceannain)Bustling Letterkenny is Co Donegal's largest town and many travellers pass through while making transport connections to Derry in Northern Ireland. Practical InformationLetterkenny Tourist Information CentreNeil T Blaney Road, LetterkennyTel (074) 912 1160 Website www.irelandnorthwest.ie Open Jan-Jun Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 10am-2pm; Sep-Dec Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Coming & GoingBuses to Derry, Dublin and destinations throughout Co Donegal depart from the bus station at the corner of Port and Pearce Roads. AccommodationPort HostelOrchard Crest, LetterkennyTel (074) 25315
SightsDonegal County MuseumThis museum is housed in an old workhouse and it contains local history exhibits dating back to the Stone Age. High Road, LetterkennyTel (074) 912 4613 Admission free Open Mon-Fri 10am-12.30pm & 1pm-4pm, Sat 1pm-4.30pm Inishowen PeninsulaThe Inishowen Peninsula is a beautiful spot that is a popular weekend holiday destination with people from Letterkenny and Derry. Although there are no must see attractions, most people visiting the peninsula make it up to Malin Head, Ireland's northern-most point, as well as the towns of Buncrana and Carndonagh. Practical InformationBuncrana Tourist Information Centre
Railway Road, Buncrana, Inishowen |
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