Know Your Region-
Failte Ireland team up with Tourism Industry providers to “Take a trip on the
Wild Atlantic Way” - Part Two
By Heidi Woods – Inishowen Development Officer
This is an opportunity to share “what to see and do” when you stay in Donegal.
The second day trip starts from Letterkenny and takes in Signature point two of the Wild Atlantic
Way located at Fanad Head. For
the purposes of a convenient meeting point
to start the day trip, the Mount Errigal Hotel was the designated point for the
group of participants to convene; listening to the local representative from
Failte Ireland giving an overview of the benefits of the Wild Atlantic Way to
the tourist industry. A particular update to this section ensued, and in
general terms of the project for those that may not have been on the first
trip.
As the journey starts
in the morning leaving Letterkenny, the first port of call is the town of Ramelton via the R245.This Georgian
historic town is situated at the mouth of the Lennon River where it enters the Lough
Swilly. This location centralises a world-famous event; The Flight of The Earls
from Kinnegar Beach in 1607 .The Heritage Centre in the town also has an
impressive exhibition displaying the life and time of the Earls. There are several
busy restaurants, pubs, self-catering cottages, shops, craft shops, hair
salons, family activities and array of historical antiquities & attractions.
Just over the other side of the river is “The Bridge Bar” one of the best music
bars in the country. It has a cosy
restaurant with good food, and renowned for its excellent fish.
Heading out of the town, on the “Atlantic Drive” signposted
as such, the next stop is Rathmullan. It
is a bustling seaside village with a long sandy beach on the shores of Lough
Swilly. Rathmullan also acts as the landing port for the Buncrana to Rathmullan
Ferry connecting the Inishowen Peninsula via a short ferry ride across the bay.
The Marina & Pier is the venue for a variety of different
activities including water sports such as surfing, pier jumping, and kayaking,
it is also ideal for coastal cruising and deep sea angling.
Rathmullan serves as an important historical village as it
was the scene of the Flight of the Earls in 1607 a major turning point in Irish
history. An opportunity with Deirdra Friel from Donegal Heritage Trails
introduces the Flight of the Earls Sculpture.
This location also hosts one of Donegal’s 4 star luxury
hotels. Rathmullan House is set in
wooded grounds, and provides a tranquil experience overlooking Lough Swilly. A
popular wedding venue and short break option, it is but a few steps from the
long golden beach.
A popular place to frequent here is “Salt n Batter”, a café
that sells fresh fish and chips, sandwiches, wraps, coffee, and home-made
desserts, simple, but tasty. After the first few years the menu developed into
what it is today a real mix something for everybody. All cakes and desserts,
wheaten bread, are made in house with Ronnie’s famous freshly made home-made
seafood chowder, a tempting delight. The opening hours are 3pm- 10pm Mon thru
Thurs, 3pm- 10.30 Fri. thru Sun.
Rathmullan Community
Festival, now running for 12 years, is becoming one of the most famous
festivals in all of Ireland. It takes place in late July and hosts a number of
different activities including a fair ground, live music, and much more.
Craft beers and cottage industry crafts have become very
popular with residents and visitors alike, so a site visit to the local Kinnegar Brewing Company to gain
insight about this particular Wild Atlantic Way Experience. It offers
enthusiasts a complete overview of the brewing process, beginning in the malt
loft, and continuing through the brew house, the fermentation process, the
conditioning cellar, and finally to packaging. All of this in a uniquely
compact space!
Afterwards, in the brewery’s Taproom at nearby Rathmullan
House, visitors are welcome to taste the range appreciating the influence of
different malts, hops and yeast have on the flavour profile and general
character of individual beers. Tour participants receive a token for a
beer. At this stage, a well-informed decision can be made as to which beer is
the preferred taste and order.
The next stop along the route (R268) is the first of what
Failte Ireland term as a Discovery Point
on this section (distinct sites, large and small, each chosen for their
potential to offer visitors an authentic and intimate experience of the natural
and wild landscape and seascape). Ballymastocker Strand can be
accessed via a twisting cliff-top route along the Croaghaun Mountain. This is
known as Ballymastocker Strand viewpoint. It is an elevated location that
offers exceptional views over Ballymastocker Strand, Murren Hill and Fanad
Peninsula. Making our way further north, Fanad
Head beckons with a visit to the -
Signature Discovery Point: Fanad Head
/ Visit Fanad Head Lighthouse.
An introduction from a member of the Fanad Lighthouse
Committee sets the scene where here man’s presence and his ability to exist in even the wildest of
locations are seen in the form of Fanad Head Lighthouse. Now automated, the 39
meter lighthouse first shone its light on St. Patrick’s Day 1817 and has been
the subject of many stunning photographs and paintings over the years. To pause
a while and imagine what life was like in hurricane force winds on cold November
nights nearly two centuries ago leaves a truly “Wild Atlantic” experience in
the mind. Gazing on the unforgiving waters of the Northern Atlantic you can
capture a view of Tory Island 14.5km (9 Miles) out to sea. Teas and coffee were
available to visitors at nearby Fanad Lodge.
Moving onwards starting our descent, the Discovery Point at Ballyhiernan Bay provides
the next brief pause; the beach is set within an area of low lying land in a
remote rural area, with the nearest village being Rosnakill (7km). Ballyhiernan
beach car park is contained behind the dunes; the beach can be accessed by
foot. It consists of a long sandy beach, confined on either side by rocky
headlands, Rinboy Point to the West and Rinmore Point to the East.
The next stop is Discovery
Point, Island Roy View. This tiny undiscovered Island
off the coast of Donegal is a place to get lost, to contemplate, to walk. So
secluded is Oileánan Bhráighe that is often missing from maps. One has to
explore to find it. At this point we are crossing the Harry Blaney Bridge that
spans Mulroy Bay between the Rosguill and Fanad peninsulas of County Donegal.
The Tramore Inn is situated on the Rosguill Peninsula... on the world famous
Atlantic Drive,a must visit on the trip.
This brings the tour to the next stop Discovery Point, Rossguill Peninsula. It is the ideal
opportunity to have lunch at the Singing
Pub, try their unique steak cooked on Lava stone. The best way to
appreciate Rosguill's rugged splendour is by driving, cycling or even walking
the 15km Atlantic Drive, a way
marked loop on minor roads signposted to your left as you come into the
sprawling village of Carrigart (CarraigAirt) from the south. There is a
wealth of activities available locally: Angling, Hiking, Golf and Watersports. The sea views are superb, from the secluded
beach at Trá na Rossan in the northern part of the peninsula. Moving on
further south, the Discovery Point, Doe
Castle View provides the next stop.
Doe Castle viewpoint
is accessed by the R245 a picturesque route which runs through a low lying
landscape offering repeated views of the adjacent river Lackagh and nearby
headland. The route is characterised by low to medium scrub vegetation which
create the broken views and add to the interest. The elevated viewpoint has
clear uninterrupted views toward Doe Castle and surrounding landscape.
A visit to nearby Ards Forest Park is a must. It is one
of the highlights for the avid explorer, or walking enthusiast visiting
Donegal. There are acres of forest and beach walks, one of which is accessed
via a boardwalk. With ample parking, picnic tables dotted around, and adventure
playground activities to partake in; it meets the expectations of all the
family.
Another Discovery Point, Marble Hill provides an
excellent surfing and rambling experience. Marble Hill beach is a very popular
beach attracting lots of visitors in the summer time. This is one of the blue
flag beaches in Donegal available in the bathing season which runs from June
until the end of August. The Discovery Point is enclosed within the varied
landscape of Sheephaven Bay, overlooking Clonmass Island and enveloped by
Rosguill Peninsula to the north and the adjacent headland of Knockduff to the
North West. The beach is accessed by foot via steps or through the sand dunes.
Once again the road heads north to the next Discovery Point, Horn Head. This is an
exceptional viewpoint giving uninterrupted coastal views of the Atlantic Ocean,
the tip of Horn Head and the successive headlands to the North East. The
Headland is characterised by low heath land scattered with some low growing,
wind pruned coastal shrubs. . The next wondrous site is the more than
twenty-metre high Marble Arch, cut by the sea through the base of
Trawbreaga Head. Horn Head itself soon becomes visible as you ascend the next
headland.
As the day trip draws
to an end, Dunfanaghy provides a convenient
stop that joins up again to the N56. Dunfanaghy is a picturesque village, it
boasts a three-mile-long sandy beach known as Killahoey Strand, and hosts the
excellent opportunity to play a round of golf, or horseback ride over the beach
from the nearby stables with a view to stay in nearby Arnolds Hotel. Time may
be of the essence, so a visit to Café Arno for afternoon tea/coffee may just
fit the schedule as our trip is homeward bound to Donegal Town where this
concludes the Day Two experience of Donegal delights.
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