LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION
Itinerary: North by Northwest
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ONE WEEK / SLIGO TO DONEGAL
If you’re one to appreciate the cultural experience and simple pleasures of island life, you won’t want to hurry this trail. Take three weeks if you can spare it and experience the unique differences of Ireland’s islands properly. Otherwise try to get in at least a day trip.
Kick off in Sligo Town, visiting the megalithic cemetery at Carrowmore and Knocknarea Cairn, the supposed grave of the legendary Queen Maeve, before heading north to the handsome beach at Rosses Point. Visit Yeats’ grave in Drumcliff, in the shadow of dominant Benbulben. Round the coastline and stop off at another Yeats landmark, Lissadell House before proceeding northward past the wide stretch of Streedagh Beach.
Cross the border into Donegal, take a peek at the tack in Bundoran and head for Ballyshannon, where you can stock up for a beach trip to wonderful Rossnowlagh. Follow the coastline west to the ancient monastic settlement at Glencolumbcille before switching back and taking the inland road through the alpine scenery of the Glen Gesh Pass, which will lead you to picturesque Ardara. Travel inland through the Derryveagh Mountains – stopping for a little fishing in the salmon-rich River Finn – and into Glenveagh National Park. Take a day to visit the Poisoned Glen or, if you’re up for it, climb Mount Errigal or Muckish Mountain before settling down for a drink and a bit of an Irish sing-along at Leo’s Tavern in Crolly, best known as the pub owned by Enya’s very musical family.
Head east along the stunning coastline, past the pretty village of Dunfanaghy and round the rugged Inishowen Peninsula before finishing up in the popular seaside resort of Buncrana.
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