Mount Errigal

At 751 metres, Errigal is the highest mountain in Donegal and it’s majestic glittering quartzite peak dominates the northwest corner of Ireland. For many, it is quite simply the most beautiful mountain in the country and it is certainly among the most climbed despite its remote location. Errigal has the magical quality of appearing to change shape depending on what direction you view it from.  There is a parking place about 1km from Dunlewy. From there you can walk up to Errigal Mountain. It takes about 1,5 hours to walk up to the top, at some points it gets really, really steep but from the top you will have spectaculair views. You can see the Atlantic Ocean and it's islands, Glenveagh National Park, all the mountains around. It's amazing.

Arranmore Island

Arranmore Island (Árainn Mhór meas "Large Ridge") lies 5 km/3 miles off the coast of the port of Burtonport, with a population of approximately 600, and can be reached by the ferry which operates from Burtonport daily.  At seven square miles in size, the island is the second biggest inhabited island of Ireland and the biggest of the Donegal islands. 

Before the Flight of the Earls at the start of the 17th century, the island was controlled by the O'Donnell Clan, and was known as Ára Uí Dhomhnaill which means in English "O'Donnell's Aran".  During the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century the island was granted to Lord Conyngham.   During this time, many of the islanders were forced to leave their homes, starving because of the Irish Famine.  Many died on the island, or in the poorhouse in Glenites and many aboard ships to America and Canada.  Many of the islanders who managed the journey of emigration ended up on Beaver Island with whom Arranmore is now twinned. 

There are seven lakes on the island and Arranmore's lakes are some of the only in Europe where rainbow trout breed naturally.  The island is a haven for walkers, hikers, bird-watchers and many other pursuits including deep-sea angling, scuba diving, and rock climbing.

Cruit Island

Cruit (pronounced "Critch") Island (An Chruit), near Kincasslagh, is a small island measuring roughly 3 miles by one mile with a population of 85 approx. An Chruit, is the Irish for harp (possibly referring to the shape of the island)  It also means ‘the hump or little hillock’.  The Island is accessed via a bridge and is very beautiful, dotted with sandy beaches all around it's coastline. In fact there are about twelve beaches on this tiny island. There is a small pier and a couple of slipways. During low tide it is possible to walk to the mainland at Bellcruit. You can book a boat to take you to nearby Owey Island from Cruit if you so wish.

Glenveagh National Park

Glenveagh National Park is one of six national parks in Ireland. Situated in the Northwest of Co. Donegal, Glenveagh encompasses some 16,000 hectares in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains. Such a great wilderness is the haunt of many interesting plants and animals. These lands were managed as a private deer forest before becoming a national park in 1975.  The Glenveagh Visitor Centre is located on the northern end of Lough Veagh, near the edge of the National Park. Its award-winning design incorporates a living heather roof mimicking the surrounding landscape causing minimum disturbance.  There is a short bus ride to The Glenveagh Castle, a 19th century castellated mansion built between 1867 and 1873, and the gardens and tea rooms within the castle grounds.