Donegal is considered by many to have one of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes in all of Ireland. Nestled in the north west, this county has vast sweeping landscapes with incredible views of the roaring Atlantic ocean.
There are also plenty of amazing restaurants on offer for foodies and walks for fitness enthusiasts.
We spoke to Noel Cunningham, Donegal tourism ambassador, about his favourite spots in this breath-taking part of the country.
Read more: Staycation in Louth: Best Ireland's Ancient East spots, eat and drink in Dundalk and top hotels
Read on to see what Noel's top picks were!
Hotels
Harvey’s Point
"Naturally I would recommend my own beautiful Harvey’s Point. Our well known four star hotel is located outside Donegal town, overlooking the picturesque Lough Eske. Guests can also enjoy breath-taking views of the Bluestack Mountains," Noel says.
He says the hotel’s ambience is unique, with wooden panelling, chandeliers, artwork, and turf fires dotted throughout. "The bedrooms are spacious and opulent and the food offerings in the hotel have won awards."
Rathmullan House
Noel says he absolutely adores Rathmullan House, which is a family-run Georgian house set on the shores of Lough Swilly. "It's in the beautiful village of Rathmullan which has strong associations with the Flight of the Earls. It has both ocean and lakes nearby, there’s beautiful gardens too, it’s a beautiful part of the world. It is ideal for a base for touring that part of Donegal."
Arnolds Hotel
Noel also loves this family owned and managed hotel in Dunfanaghy. "Dunfanaghy is a hidden treasure trove of little boutiques and curiosity shops, beautiful restaurants and the hotel itself is just gorgeous. They are there for several generations and you couldn’t find a nicer base. It’s near Horn Head, you can do a loop drive or walk around there. The views are indescribably beautiful."
The Sandhouse Hotel & Marine Spa
This hotel is located right on Rossnowlagh beach. "The view is hard to beat, it is famous for surfing, swimming and its beauty. There is also a spa on site offering various treatments including seaweed baths," adds Noel.
Noel’s guide to Donegal
Eat
Noel says foodies are spoiled for choice in Donegal. "The Lemontree in Letterkenny has cuisine of Michelin Star standard, it's just absolutely magnificent. It’s local produce, beautifully cooked and presented.
"In South Donegal, down in Killybegs, you have the Boathouse, which specialises in seafood. The chef there worked with Gordon Ramsey and worked in Claridges. They are producing and providing food that would outshine anything in any European capital.
"If you are looking for something off the beaten track which is fun, it is open all day, The Rusty Mackerel is ideal. It sits right at the base of Sliabh Liag in south Donegal, some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe and it is on par with the Cliffs of Moher in terms of drama and beauty."
Walk
Donegal also has plenty of trails for avid walkers and hikers. "A walk I recommend to everyone who comes to Donegal is Sliabh Liag," says Noel. "Anyone would be able to do it, you can dip in and out and do as much of it as you want. The three and a half hour round robin, it’s not an easy walk but it’s not a hard walk either. It’s a good level for everyone, if you don’t want to do the complete circuit you can walk and turn back."
Noel also recommends a drive to Malin Head, which is the county’s most northerly point, and walk from there along the cliff face, doing a circuit. "It’s just beautiful.
"If you are staying in Dunfanaghy, drive outside of the town and park up a few kilometres outside of the town and walk across the sand dunes to Thraban."
Hidden treasure
St Joan’s Point near Killybegs is somewhere people often pass by as they don’t know about it, according to Noel. He adds there are some gorgeous beaches along with a beautiful headland and scenery.
"The coastal road from Killybegs to Glencolumbkille is another great thing to do. Keep going left all the time, kiss the coast all the way. It’s hard to beat!"
Shop
Noel says 'Ladies’ Nirvana' would be McElhinneys in Ballybofey. "It is a must-visit. It’s a department store, they carry some beautiful clothes. Magee of Donegal is spectacular. You have the beautiful tradition of Donegal tweed that is shipped to every major fashion house in the world. You have a magnificent store where all the tweed is, and their clothes are very sharp, on point and modern. Both have a lovely shopping experience!"
He also recommends McAuliffes craft shop in Dunfanaghy as it has some gorgeous items that would be perfect for a gift. "Again it is family owned. It's a real treasure trove."
Unmissable spots in Donegal
Golfing
Noel says he can’t forget to mention golf courses, as they have various ones such as Murvagh, Rosapenna, and Portnoo. "They are amazing. Donegal is renowned for some of the best links courses in the world, so if you are a golfing fanatic you are in the right place."
Folk Village
Noel also recommends a trip to The Folk Village in Glencolumbkille. "It is very interesting, and everyone who goes there raves about it. I also like the Doagh Famine Village.
Oakfield Park
"Oakfield Park in Raphoe is a privately owned estate and railway, it has parklands, lakes, mature woodlands, and the grounds include a hedge maze, sculptures, and miles of walking paths. Children love it here."
Beaches
Noel says he has travelled the world as part of his work, but there’s two beaches in Donegal whose beauty he has seldom seen matched. "The Silver Strand in Malin Beg Glencolumbkille and Murder Hole Beach in Boyeeghter Bay are two wonderful spots. The latter is not as well known but well worth a visit."
Get the latest RSVP headlines straight to your inbox for free by signing up to our newsletter
Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this LINK to receive your daily dose of RSVP Live content. We also treat our community members to wonderful competitions, promotions, along with great stories. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice
