Discover the Unexplored
Go explore
Your Wild Atlantic Way adventure awaits – A stay at Donegal Boardwalk Resort offers the unique opportunity to explore Donegal and breathe in the sea air along the Wild Atlantic Way . There is no better feeling than the anticipation of a coastal break to recharge the batteries. We are fortunate here in Carrickart to have an abundance of visitor attractions and places of interest to visit on our doorstep. Your host, George and his team have a wealth of knowledge on the very best things to do in the area which they are delighted to share with you. Here are just some of their recommendations to explore Donegal and enjoy a true local experience. .
Coastal Walks
DISTANCE & DRIVE-TIME FROM RESORT
Nestled in the wild beauty of Carrigart, Donegal, Boardwalk Resort provides the relaxing luxury and quality facilities that you would wish for with a holiday home booking.
DOE CASTLE
3.4MILES – 6MINS
Doe Castle, ancient seat of the Mac Sweeney Chiefs of Doe, is beautifully situated on an inlet of Sheephaven Bay in north-west Donegal. The castle stands on a small peninsula called Cannon Point and is protected on three sides by the sea and on the fourth side by a trench hewn from solid rock.
ARDS FRIARY
7.8MILES – 15MINS
The church and friary were built in 1966 on the site of the old Ards House. This very peaceful place is set in mature woodland near the north-eastern tip of Ards peninsula and has an interesting selection of exotic trees. It was to the small pier south of the friary that coal and other goods used to be delivered, and silica sand exported, which was mined on nearby Muckish Mountain.
ATLANTIC DRIVE
9.2MILES – 20MINS
The Atlantic Drive is a short but very spectacular road around the rosguill Peninsula , which encapsulates the dramatic marriage of two natural elements-the ageless land of Donegal and the timeless courtship of the Atlantic , which has forged a glorious alliance of great beauty. As it is only about 12km around, you will best appreciate it if you walk or cycle.
THE GREAT POLLET ARCH
3.4MILES – 6MINS
The Great Pollet Arch on the eastern shores of Fanad Peninsula is a particularly fine example of a Donegal sea arch. It stands as testimony to the sheer power of the Atlantic Ocean as it carves its way through solid rock.
MCSWINES GUN
14.2MILES – 29MINS
On the western side of Horn Head is a perforation of the rock, known as Mc Swine’s Gun: when the wind sets in from the north-west, the sea is driven into this cavern with such violence as to rise through an opening of the rock above in lofty jets to a height of between 200 and 300 feet, with so great a noise as to be heard for 10 miles.
HORN HEAD
14.2MILES – 29MINS
Horn Head (Irish: Corran Binne, “Hollow in the Hills”) is a peninsula with a range of beetling mountains projecting into the Atlantic. Temple Arch is a natural stone formation in one of them. Numerous remains of Neolithic stone circles and tombs can be found in the Horn Head area.
RATHMULLAN
20.3MILES – 35MINS
Rathmullan is a small seaside village situated on the western shore of Lough Swilly and was the scene of the Flight of the Earls in 1607.There are also the ruins of a medieval Carmelite Friary in Rathmullan which was built by Eoghan Rua MacSweeney in 1516. In 1607, Rathmullan was also said to have seen the last of the Gaelic Order, most notably the Ó Neills, during the Flight of the Earls to the continent.
SLIEVE LEAGUE
83MILES – 105MINS
Slieve League will take your breath away, that is a promise the cliffs of Slieve League in Donegal are the highest sea cliffs in Europe. A nearly sheer drop of roughly 2,000 feet separates the Atlantic Ocean from the highest point of the cliffs. Less famous than the Cliffs of Moher, in County Clare, Slieve League reaches almost three times higher than Clare’s famous attraction.
GIANTS CAUSEWAY
57MILES – 120MINS
For centuries countless visitors have marvelled at the majesty and mystery of the Giants Causeway. At the heart of one of Europe’s most magnificent coastlines its unique rock formations have, for millions of years, stood as a natural rampart against the unbridled ferocity of Atlantic storms. The rugged symmetry of the columns never fails to intrigue and inspire our visitors.
Forests & Woodland
Nestled in the wild beauty of Carrigart, Donegal, Boardwalk Resort provides the relaxing luxury and quality facilities that you would wish for with a holiday home booking.
ARDS FOREST PARK
7.8MILES – 15MINS
Ards Forest Park covers approximately 1200 acres and includes a variety of habitats, among them sand dunes, beaches, salt marshes, salt water lakes, rock face and, of course, coniferous and deciduous woodlands. There are a large number of trails in this park giving the walker the opportunity to explore a variety of habitats from foreshore and sand dunes to semi natural oak woodlands on rock outcrops.
DOON WELL & ROCK
12.2MILES – 29MINS
This Holy Well, famous since Penal days for its cures is the most frequented and famous Holy Well in Co. Donegal. Doon Rock is the spot that 25 great chieftains of Tír Chonaill were inaugurated.The last O’Donnell to be elected at Doon Rock was Niall Garbh in 1603. He was the last Celtic Lord of the Finn Valley, and a cousin of Red Hugh. It was here too that Sir Cahir O’Doherty, just out of his teens – and the last Chieftain of Inishowen – was slain in battle in 1608.
GLEBE HOUSE GALLERY
13.7MILES – 27MINS
Glebe House, set in woodland gardens, decorated with William Morris textiles, Islamic and Japanese art etc. The Derek Hill collection includes 300 works by leading 20th century artists; Picasso, Kokoshka as well as Irish and Italian artists. Exhibitions are shown in the adjoining gallery.
DUNTALLY WOOD NATURE RESERVE
4MILES – 6MINS
Set on 15.3 ha Duntally Wood is rich in plant species with alder woodland on the valley floor and hazel-ash woodland on the valley sides. There is a variety of bird-life in the wood with Tits feeding on insects among the branches while Robins and Wrens feed closer to the ground. Otters live in the river, eating eels, trout and other fish.
GLENVEAGH NATIONAL PARK
12MILES – 29MINS
Glenveagh National Park lies in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains in the north-west of Co. Donegal. It is a remote and hauntingly beautiful wilderness of rugged mountains and pristine lakes. The Park consists of 16,540 hectares (40,873 acres) of mountains, lakes, glens and woods, with a herd of red deer. A Scottish style castle is surrounded by one of the finest gardens in Ireland, which contrast with the rugged surroundings. The Visitor Centre houses exhibitions and an audio-visual show.
GARTAN ROCK
14.8MILES – 23MINS
Widely considered the birthplace of St. Columba, the area around Gartan Lough encompasses some of the most beautiful mountain country in Ireland. A large cross alongside the footpath that leads to Glenveagh National Park commemorates St. Columba’s birth in 521 A.D. Other powerful relics of the Saint include the Stone of Loneliness, where St.Columba Columba is believed to have slept, and the Natal Stone, where he supposedly first opened his eyes and gazed upon the world.
MOUNT ERRIGAL
17.4MILES – 29MINS
Mount Errigal is situated in the north-west of Donegal between Dunlewy, Gweedore, Gortahock and Glenveagh. An exciting mountain standing at over 752 metres (2,467 ft). Errigal dominates the landscape and provides a dramatic backdrop to the shallow peat valley, subdivided by low dry stone walls, which follow you to Dunlewy. Errigal is steep and needs great care, particularly on descent, but the views are really breathtaking on every side. Access to the uppermost peak is via a narrow goat track where the ground falls away sharply on either side.
POISONED GLEN
17.4MILES – 29MINS
The Poisoned Glen is one of the most beautiful spots in Donegal, Ireland – it’s a small glacial valley sandwiched between Errigal, Lake Dunlewy, and the Glenveagh National Park. It is lush, green and boggy, with gorgeous views in every direction, particularly of Errigal’s quartzite slopes. There are no roads, no birds and only one headstone in the parish graveyard. The church, built of locally quarried white marble, was abandoned decades ago because no one lives near it any more.
MUCKISH MOUNTAIN
9.8MILES – 22MINS
Muckish (Irish: An Mhucais, meaning “pig’s back”) is a distinctive flat-topped mountain in the Derryveagh Mountains of Donegal, Ireland. At 666 metres, it is the third-highest peak in the Derryveagh Mountains, with Errigal being the highest. The mountain, with its characteristic outline, is a dominant feature of the north Donegal scenery. Muckish is also the most northern and second highest of the mountain chain, called the ‘Seven Sisters’ by locals.
GRIANAN OF AILEACH
37MILES – 50MINS
On the top of the Greenan mountain, not far from the border of Northern Ireland, lies Grianan of Aileach, one of the finest stone forts in Ireland. The massive stone wall is 3.9m (13ft) thick and encloses an area 23.4m (77ft) in diameter. In the walls are small chambers; a series of stairs at regular intervals inside the walls gave access to the wall-walk. The entrance is very long and lintelled.
Lakes, Loughs & Rivers
Nestled in the wild beauty of Carrigart, Donegal, Boardwalk Resort provides the relaxing luxury and quality facilities that you would wish for with a holiday home booking.
LOUGH NA TOOHEY
4.5MILES – 9MINS
Lough na Toohey, situated just outside Creeslough, is now open for fishing. This is a fly and boat fishing only venue and has been stocked since the Autumn with hard fighting fish in the 2-6lb range. The fish have over-wintered well in the alkaline water and are in great condition.
GLEN LOUGH
2.5MILES – 5MINS
The Poisoned Glen is one of the most beautiful spots in Donegal, Ireland – it’s a small glacial valley sandwiched between Errigal, Lake Dunlewy, and the Glenveagh National Park. It is lush, green and boggy, with gorgeous views in every direction, particularly of Errigal’s quartzite slopes. There are no roads, no birds and only one headstone in the parish graveyard. The church, built of locally quarried white marble, was abandoned decades ago because no one lives near it any more.
LACKAGH RIVER
1.9MILES – 3MINS
The Lackagh is a short river of only 2 miles flowing from Glen Lough to Sheephaven Bay, which is noted for its good runs of spring salmon, grilse and sea trout. The spring run starts in January and continues to March. Grilse start to run at the end of June and continue all though July whilst a small run of autumn salmon appears in September. Sea trout are at their best from July.
LOUGH BEAGH
12MILES – 29MINS
Lough Beagh is located in the heart of the Glenveagh National Park. It is primarily a trout fishery but can produce the occasional salmon. Sea trout tend to run late with the best fishing from August onwards. The average weight for sea trout is 3 to 4lbs. Recommended flies are much the same as Glen Lough but the Fiery Brown and the Alexandra are also worth trying.
DUNLEWEY LAKESIDE CENTRE
17MILES – 35MINS
Ionad Cois Locha or the Dunlewey Lakeside Centre is situated on the shores of Dunlewey Lough in the shadow of the haunting and mysterious Poison Glen and at the foot of Mount Errigal, the highest mountain in the county. There are demonstrations in carding, spinning and weaving wool as well as guided tours to the restored house and farm, storytelling and boat trips on Dunlewey lake.
LOUGH SALT
2.5MILES – 5MINS
Lough Salt is Donegal’s largest freshwater lake measuring 60ha and 65m deep and supplies the town of Letterkenny. Not a Salt Lake but a product of poor translation form the original Gaelige name Lough agus Alt (Lake and Mountain).