Glencolmcille & Slieve League Tour

The largest of Donegal's peninsulas this is an area of breathtaking natural beauty including the spectacular Slieve League (Sliabh a'Liag), which gives it name to the peninsula as well providing the highest accessible sea cliffs in Europe. Glencolmcille, named in honour of one of Ireland's patron saints, St. Columba, is home to a unique way of life where traditional culture lives on amidst a wealth of folklore, singing and fiddle playing.

From Donegal town follow the N56 into the fishing port of Killybegs, taking the coastal route to Kilcar, an area rich in archaeological heritage, skirting the old fishing village of Teelin before reaching Carrick. Turn left in the centre of the village to visit the cliffs at Bunlgas on the face of Slieve League dropping into the Rusty on the way back for a Guinness or continue straight to enter the Owenwee valley passing through blanket bogs and descend into the village of Glencolmcille.

In the village, towards Glen Head is the church where St. Columba worshipped and slept on two stone slabs still visible while a short climb will take you to his Holy well, which is a pilgrimage site. There is plenty to explore in this valley full of prehistoric tombs, early Christian edifices, historic towers and modern dwellings. Another attraction is the Folk Village Museum, An Clachan, which depicts rural Donegal lifestyles through the ages while at nearby the cultural school of Oideas Gael a facsimile copy of the famous Book of Kells is on view.

Leaving the village, a short drive away beyond Malinmore steps lead down to the Silver Strand a sandy cove hemmed in by cliffs while out in the Atlantic ocean sits the hermitage island of Rathlin O'Beirne. Return via the Malinmore valley, with its tombs visible from the road, back to the village of Carrick where a left turn will take you to the heritage town of Ardara through the wilds of the Glengesh pass (valley of taboo or prohibition) or continue back to Killybegs before taking up the N56 for Donegal Town.