Northwest
North West Region comprises the counties of Donegal, Leitrim, and Sligo. It is less than a four hour drive from Dublin and less than a five hour drive from Shannon.
COUNTY DONEGAL
County Donegal is the third largest and most northern county in the Republic of Ireland and in the Province of Ulster. It stretches from Lough Foyle in the north, to Bundoran in the southwest. For thousands of years the magnificent coastline has been shaped by the wild
Atlantic Ocean, carved with numerous bays and beaches. Overlooking the 400 mile coastline are the rugged mountains of Mount Errigal, in the north. The Blue Stack Mountains, in the south, are the source of water fed to the thousands of rivers and lakes that are home to the salmon, trout, and sea trout in Donegal. The huge tracts of bogland provide the habitat for innumerable varieties of flora and fauna. This bogland is a natural habitat to the deer, fox, badger, and hare.
The history of Donegal can be traced back 9,000 years. Still to be seen throughout the countryside are pre-Christian tomb monuments, some form of Viking settlements, and early Christian monuments. Some of the best weavers in the world are located in Donegal, with this craft being passed down for generations.
In Donegal tradition runs deeper, rhythm is stronger, and the water is wilder than any other part in Ireland. With so many magnificent attractions and activities to experience, it is exhilarating and thrilling to take a holiday in this unspoiled environment.
Donegal is renowned for the quality and abundance of its fisheries. There are a multitude of rivers and lakes giving you a choice of the type of fishing you want to do. The various fish include wild brown trout, salmon, and sea trout. You will need a state license for salmon fishing and a permit for other fishing, which is available from the various clubs and tackle dealers. Boats can also be hired on the larger lakes.
There are many equestrian centres throughout Donegal offering trekking and hacking, with some offering instruction. There are beaches, hinterlands of bogs and moors, and mountain trails to explore and experience the thrill of riding.
For golfing enthusiasts, there are excellent choices of courses, offering nine and 18 holes. There are championship links, parklands, and a variety of pitch and putt courses throughout the county.
Water sports include sailing, water skiing, surfing, boardsailing, and indoor swimming pools. Bicycles are available for hire in some of the major cities.
- Donegal Town is located in the southwest of the county where the River Eske enters Donegal Bay. The market area is known as The Diamond, where a tall obelisk is dedicated to the memory of The Four Masters. This was the name given to the four friars who compiled the Annals of the Four Masters, which is the earliest recorded history of Ireland. Also located here are the ruins of Donegal Castle, which was the 15th Century stronghold of the O'Donnell's, the ruling clan of Donegal at that time. The tweed industry is centered here in Donegal Town.
- Killybegs is one of Ireland's premier fishing ports, harboring some of the biggest and most modern fishing trawlers in Europe. It houses numerous Neolithic tombs and Mass Rocks dating back to the penal times of the 17th Century.
- Glencolmcille (in Irish Gleann Cholm Cille), located in the southwest of Donegal, is a Gaeltacht village renowned for its wealth of tradition, culture, and archaeological artifacts. The Glencolmcille Folk Village Museum offers an excellent guided tour for the visitor.
- Ardara is located on the southwest coast of Donegal and is the centre for the manufacture of hand woven tweed. The town has also become a centre for Donegal arts and crafts.
- Rathmullen is a seaside town with beautiful beaches and rooted in history. From this town Red Hugh O'Donnell and his companions were kidnapped and held in Dublin Castle. At nearby Portomurray the O'Neill and O'Donnell chieftains, the most powerful leaders at that time, fled Ireland for Spain in 1607. This became known as the Flight of the Earls, which changed the course of Irish history. This history can be found at the heritage centre on the harbor with this history.
COUNTY LEITRIM
County Leitrim is another town made famous by song, 'Lovely Leitrim'. The county extends over 50 miles from the County Longford border to Donegal Bay, with a coastline of two and one half miles. Leitrim offers some of the best hill walking in Ireland, with over 30 walks in North Leitrim, as well as, excellent cycling with marked trails. Parke's Castle, a restored plantation castle of the 17th Century, is located by the shores of Lough Gill, and offers tours and presentations. There is excellent coarse and game fishing; the first salmon of the season is usually caught on the Drowes in North Leitrim.
COUNTY SLIGO
County Sligo borders Leitrim on the east, Roscommon to the south, Mayo to the west, and the Ox Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean on the north. Sligo is rich in archaeological and historic sites, with the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, the most extensive megalithic in all of Europe. Sligo's history dates back 6,000 years, with numerous tombs, stone forts, ring forts, and crannogs. Sligo is also known as Yeats Country, as it was a favorite place of literary great W.B. Yeats. He is buried at Drumcliff, which was a sixth century Christian site. It now offers a visitor centre.
For naturalists there is the Nature Walk at Dooney Rock at Lough Gill, where several rare and unique plants and animals are found, such as the Holly Tree. It is unusual to have separate male and female plants. It is the red berries of the female tree, contrasting with the rich green of its leaves, which have long made the holly the essential Christmas decoration. The holly can live for 150 years. Its wood is strong and durable; it has been used for piano keys as a substitute for ebony in furniture and marquetry work. Holly is regarded as a gentle tree and the fairies of Ireland have a liking for it. Abuse the holly and you risk misfortune.
- Sligo offers wonderful scenery, with mountains like the loaf shaped, limestone plateau of Benbulben Mountain, lakes and the coasts with their inlets and hills. In West Country Sligo, Inniscrone has saltwater and other medicinal baths, with the most popular being the seaweed bath for treatment of arthritis and rheumatism. There are a wide variety of accommodations and pubs that offer traditional music.
- Collooney is home to one of Ireland's finest castles. One is Markree Castle, which has been in the same family for over 350 years. Surrounding the castle are gardens and woodlands, habitat of the indigenous wildlife.
