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Views to take your breath away
 Rossnowlagh
Rossnowlagh, or the Heavenly Cove, is regarded by many as the most scenic
and dramatic beach in the whole of the north-west.
Just 8km from Ballyshannon, the beach has fantastic views of the coastline
of Donegal Bay, framed to the north by the Slieve League cliffs.
Set in a 4km crescent of golden sand with the sparkle of shimmering
waves breaking on the beach, Rossknowlagh is a haven for all kinds of
water sports board sailing, surfing, water skiing, kite surfing, dingy
sailing and sea-canoeing. Despite its Atlantic aspect, the beach provides
ideal safe bathing with lifeguard patrols.
Rossnowlagh beach was one of the first places to be surfed in Ireland
in the early 1960s. Surfboards and wetsuits, as well as surf lessons,
are available for hire at the surf club on the seafront next to the lifeguard
station.
If the waves are down, visit Ireland’s only surf museum in the
Surfer’s Bar stuffed full of old photos, posters and other memorabilia.
If the area’s more conventional history and culture is more to your
liking the Franciscan Friary in Rossknowlagh has an absorbing one-room
museum. It’s crammed with Stone Age tools, Bronze Age weapons, penal
crosses there’s even a set of uilleann pipes, an ancient fiddle
and other local paraphernalia.
Fanad Peninsula
The Fanad Peninsula on Lough Swilly is famous as the departure point for
the Flight Of The Earls exactly 400 years ago in 1607. Hugh O’Neill,
Earl of Tyrone, and Rory O’Donnell, Earl of Tirconnell, finally
admitted defeat against the invaders and quit Ireland.
They sailed from Rathmullan and ancient, Gaelic Ireland was no more.
The Rathmullan Heritage Centre (housed in a 19th century fort built by
the British to keep the French out) tells the whole story, tel: 00 353
74 582 29.
The Peninsula has several ancient architectural gems worthy of a visit.
The well-preserved Rathmullan Friary was founded in 1508 by the MacSweeney
clan, who gave it to the Carmelites. Despite being plundered regularly
and having to withstand the northern coast’s lively weather, the
friary was used until the 19th century.
Two miles up the coast road north of Rathmullan stands the 10th century
Drumhallach cross slab, which has stone carvings of two figures sucking
their thumbs presumably a depiction of sinners contemplating their fate.
The Kildooney More portal tomb is also near Rathmullan it’s been
there for the best part of 4,000 years.
The ruined Tullyaughnish Church in Rathmelton has interesting Romanesque
carvings taken from a church on nearby Aughnish Island.
At the very end of the peninsula is an impressive geological feature called
the Great Arch. A lighthouse clings to the cliff edge plying its essential
trade across these treacherous waters.
Tory Island
The mist-shrouded, remote Tory Island rises out of the deep like the frail
final frontier of Europe. This is a seascape rich in atmosphere, rich
in poignancy.
The word Tory is derived from the Irish tóraí which means
a robber or outlaw, and indeed is the derivation of the British political
party of the same name.
Situated some nine miles off the coast of Donegal, the remoteness of Tory
Island gives rise to stories such as in days gone by, late-night poteen
drinkers on their way home from the harbour village of Bunbeg were forced
to negotiate a hazardous journey back, along a rough track in a series
of 50 yard hikes. These were timed to coincide with the circling beam
of the lighthouse as it illuminated the deepest and most dangerous potholes.
There are no trees on Tory Island and it is rumoured no rats either.
This was due to an intervention according to legend of St. Colmcille.
Following in his mentor St. Patrick’s footsteps, Colmcille drove
the Tory rats out. |
