10 Of The Most Beautiful Places To Explore If You’re In Donegal

Éadaoin Fitzmaurice

Donegal is up there as one of the most beautiful counties in Ireland for its sweeping vistas, rugged coastline and wooded wilderness.

You don’t have to plan a big trip and leave the country to avail of a memorable holiday that you’ll be boasting about to your friends for months to come.

It’s the perfect place for your next trip around Ireland and it’ll show you how amazing the country we live in really is.

Here’s some of the best places to check out for a spot of sightseeing:

1. Mount Errigal

Mount Errigal is a 751-metre mountain near Gweedore. It is the tallest peak in in the county and the most southern, steepest and highest of the mountain chain in the area.

The mountain is famous for its pink glow from the sun hitting its quartzite.

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Our latest blog post on climbing Mount Errigal is live. Link in the bio. We had such a great day for it and the 360 views were incredible. This shot looks out to Lough Altan. #mounterrigal #mountainclimbing #donegal #highestpeak #derryveaghmountains #mterrigal #dunlewey #loughaltan #ireland #ig_ireland #insta_ireland #loveireland #Ireland_Gram #WanderIreland #Irelandaily #inspireland #igersireland #discoverireland #topirelandphoto #allaroundireland #pocket_ireland #tourismireland #visitireland #icu_ireland #rawireland #visitireland #irishpassion #boutyeireland #instaireland #irish_daily
A post shared by Kerry Kissane (@allaroundireland) on May 5, 2017 at 7:54am PDT
2. Murder Hole Beach
Murder Hole Beach is not an easy destination to come across, that’s why it was voted “Ireland’s Best Secret Beach”.

This hidden gem has become a very popular spot with tourists for it’s stunning coastline and amazing caves.

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Murder hole beach ♥️ what an incredibly beautiful spot! Pic by @kevinpenrose

A post shared by Lovin (@lovindotie) on Nov 19, 2018 at 2:13pm PST
3. Malin Head
Malin head is the most northerly point in the country and it’s a photographers dream.
The area is steeped in history and folklore and was also a Star Wars filming location.

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Malin Head, Co. Donegal ???? credits: @wadger_catcher • #wildatlanticway #ireland #wawpics #loveireland #landscape #scenery #discoverireland
A post shared by Wild Atlantic Way Pics (@wild_atlantic_way_pics) on Nov 29, 2018 at 1:14am PST
4. Fanad Lighthouse
Fanad Lighthouse is one of the cutest places I’ve ever visited. You can do tours around the lighthouse, learn about the history of the area and look out from the top out to the ocean.
Best of all, you can actually stay there and the accommodation is so fab.
It’s an amazing spot for a group of friends looking to do something out of the ordinary.

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It’s never too late, or too early, to see a little bit more magic in this world ???? ???? – I push the edit a bit more than usual to create this, hope you will like it. Would love to hear your thoughts guys.. also, let me know if you are interested to see the before and after of this picture, I can pop it in my story if so (and my editing process). Wish you all a great evening! ✨ . . . . . . . . . #bleachfilm #lovindublin #loveireland #teamkaptainkenny #totherockshore #ireland #moodynature #visualambassadors #discoverdublin #dublin #wanderireland #instaireland #theimaged #lightroom #canon_photos #wonderfulworld #roamtheplanet #lensdistortions #lonelyplanet #moodygrams #artofvisuals #beautifuldestinations #dusktilldawn #liveforthestory #passionpassport #lensbible #creativeoptic #instagram #uniladadventure #lookatthosecolours
A post shared by G R E G O R Y (@gregda) on Nov 28, 2018 at 8:46am PST
5. Ballymastocker Bay
Ballymastocker Bay was voted the second most beautiful beach in the world and it’s easy to see why.
White sand, turquoise waves and wispy sand dunes make for a pretty picture.

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If anyone needs me, I’ll be in my happy place, pretending Mondays don’t exist ????????????️
A post shared by Síona Murray (@thepursuitofadventures) on Aug 19, 2018 at 12:20pm PDT

6. Tory Island
Tory Island is one of the most remote and one of the most interesting places in the country.
The island is nine miles off the coast of Donegal and it’s home to just over 100 people. Everyone there speaks Irish and it was been led by a king who was elected by the people living there.
Sadly, he passed away a few months ago so the community is currently in search of their new king or queen.
Tory Island is steeped in history, mythology and folklore and is now home to a group of artists inspired by its wild beauty.

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Can’t Believe “Island”ed This Girl???????? #ireland #doitforthepun
A post shared by Tyler Pettes (@tylerpettes) on Apr 28, 2018 at 11:26am PDT
7. Glenveagh National Park
Glenveagh is the second largest national park in Ireland.
This dreamy location is the perfect spot to get some fresh air in the lungs, take a long walk and take a step away from the hustle and bustle of reality.

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Sunset in my favourite place ☀ #theresnoplacelikehome
A post shared by Tara Callaghan (@taracallaghann) on Jan 6, 2018 at 10:46am PST
8. Slieve League
Slieve League would give the Cliffs Of Moher a run for its money. The stunning cliffs along the coastline reach almost three times higher than the Cliffs of Moher.
They are among the highest sea cliffs in Europe.

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#Repost @ihaveadarksoul • • • • • By the way Slieve League cliffs are among the highest sea cliffs in Europe . . . . . . . . . . @beautifuldestinations @lensbible @shotzdelight @theimaged @moodygrams @visualsoflife @visualambassadors @artofvisuals @instagram @agameoftones @earthfocus @nature @ourplanetdaily @canonuk @canonusa @canonru
A post shared by Donegal Page (@donegalpage) on Nov 28, 2018 at 6:17am PST
9. An Grianán Áileach
This incredible stone fort is believed to have been built in the first century (1700 BC) during the Iron Age.
From this site on a clear day you can see five counties as well as the breathtaking Lough Swilly and Lough Foyle.

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One of the best view points in the #derry area for sure ????
A post shared by Tyler Collins ???????? (@tylercollinsphoto) on Jul 11, 2018 at 3:43am PDT
10. Bundoran
This popular seaside resort has some of the best waves in the country so there’s always surfers out on the waves.
The beach is stunning and there’s also lots of great bars in the town for a tasty pint of Guinness in the evenings.

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Who else spent all their family summer holidays in Bundoran? What a spot ❤️ Pic by @dermotgarland
A post shared by Lovin (@lovindotie) on Sep 12, 2018 at 12:34am PDT
Only thing left to decide now is…
Which one first?
Head image: @gregda @lucadatt
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