Croithlí Distillery
Premium craft whiskey from the Donegal Gaeltaecht Located in the west Donegal Gaeltacht village of Croithlí, County Donegal, set between the Wild Atlantic Coast and the stunning Errigal mountain.
The distillery home is a restored historic stone cut building constructed in 1901 connecting this part of Ireland with the world through craft whiskeys, double distilled in Donegal’s first functioning licensed whiskey distillery in 180 years.
Tours on the hour every hour from 11.00 to 17.00 . A tasting is £21
An Coillín Darach, Croithlí, Co. Donegal, F92 XHH5, Ireland
They do a Distiller’s Board served: Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
https://thecrollydistillery.com/
Oakfield Park
Oakfield Park, situated in Raphoe, Co Donegal is an eighteenth-century Georgian Deanery, which has won several National awards for the restoration of its gardens and buildings. Sitting in a lush landscape of parklands and mature woodlands, overlooking the distant Croaghan Mountain, the grounds include a traditional walled garden and kitchen garden.
he lower gardens consist of a large lake, planted with reeds and wild flowers. This is now home to swans and abundant wildlife. A Castle Folly built on the opposite shore provides stunning views. Flower meadows, lakes and streams, as well as wild and wetland areas are entwined with over 4km of narrow gauge railway to give hours of pleasure. Discover willow tunnels, oak circles, boardwalks, several heritage trees, a par-Terre and a classical Nymphaeum by the upper lake.
A trip on the train is the best way to see all of the Lower Gardens. Over 4.5km of narrow gauge track, weaves its way through the trees, revealing many pleasing vistas. The railway takes you around the lake and grounds passing the Castle Folly, the Tree Circle with the “Orb” and the awe-inspiring “Long Sleeper” sculpture on the Spiral Mound before returning to the Station. Speak to Harveys Point Guest Relations Team to avail of a special discount for Oakfield Park. www.oakfieldpark.com or call +35374 9173922
September: Open Wednesday to Sunday from 12noon – 6pm
BUFFERS Restaurant is open every day that the park is open
Oakfield Demesne, Raphoe, Co. Donegal, F93 XY1R . Phone: 074 9173922. Email: gardens@oakfieldpark.com
Lough Eske Castle offer a complimentary history tour daily, commencing from the main reception area at 11 am. Discover the famous O'Donnell family history at Lough Eske Castle, dating back to the late 1400s. Hear the stories of Lough Eske Castle's past and learn a few fun facts on the history of Donegal.
Donegal Bay Waterbus is an 80 foot long, 130 metric ton, welded steel boat, built in Killybegs, Co Donegal in 2006. It has toured around Donegal Bay since July 2006 and operates all year round up to Christmas Day and New Year, carrying approx. 35,000 passengers annually and taking in a wide range of coastal landmarks. Sailing times are usually morning, afternoon or evening, but are dependent upon weather and the tides. Tickets can be obtained from the ticket office which is the white cottage-like building on Quay Street, beside Dom’s Pier 1.
Ardara Distillery . Take a tour of the state-of-the-art distillery and appreciate an alternative side of Irish whiskey making, inspired by an almost lost smoky spirit style; one that honours the methods of Donegal’s illicit forefathers, brought up to date with the very best distillation know-how. During the tour, learn about the history of Donegal’s immense distilling heritage and see skilled distillers breathing new life into this ancient craft. Learn about the first legal distilling company in the county for 175 years, and The Sliabh Liag Single Malt – Kilcar Release, which was the first legally distilled whiskey in Donegal since 1841. Bookings can be made directly, via the website: www.sliabhliagdistillers.com
Ardara Distillery, The Show Field, Ardara, Co Donegal, Ireland, F94 EH7X . +353 (0) 74 9541640
Tower Museum, Derry
Telling the story of Derry, the Tower Museum is in fact home to two exhibitions. The first tells the story of Derry, starting with the geological formation and running right up to the present day. A diverse range of subjects are explored, including monasticism, plantation, sieges and the Troubles. The second exhibition is the ‘Armada Shipwreck: La Trinidad Valencera,’ which tells the story of the famous Spanish warship that sank off the Donegal coast in 1588.
Donegal Craft Village
is situated just outside the historic town of Donegal on the road to Ballyshannon and Sligo. Established in 1985, the village has become a showcase for contemporary arts and crafts in the county. There are six workshops clustered around a central courtyard, each occupied by talented artists, who are highly skilled craftspeople in their chosen medium. You can meet leading artists working with glass, bronze, textiles, wood, paint and precious metals. Visitors can purchase unique Irish craft and design, unavailable anywhere else. Visitors can also commission bespoke items for presentations, corporate gifts or larger architectural works. https://donegalcraftvillage.com/
The donegal craft village is situated 2km outside donegal town on the R267 Road towards Ballyshannon. Open 10.00 - 17.00
is the second largest national park out of six in Ireland encompassing some 16,000 acres in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains. Set within the park is Glenveagh Castle, a 19th-century castellated mansion that was built between 1867 and 1873. Its construction in a remote mountain setting was inspired by the Victorian idyll of a romantic highland retreat, as typified by Balmoral Castle It was designed by John Townsend Trench, cousin of its builder and first owner, John George Adair, with whom he had been raised in Co. Laois. There are a wide range of walking routes, suitable for varying capabilities, which guests are free to explore.
By car from Letterkenny 15 Miles. Take the N56 through Kilmacrenan, then the R255 for Gweedore.
March – October 09:15hrs–17:15hrs. Tea Rooms: Open 7 days a week. Tours: The castle is open for self-guided tours on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The castle is closed on Monday and Friday, except bank holiday Mondays. A Castle tour cannot be booked in advance of your visit. There is limited provision for facilitating specialist groups on guided tours with advance booking. Self Guided Castle Tour Prices:
Donegal Castle
Built by the O’Donnell chieftain in the 15th century, beside the River Eske, Donegal Castle has extensive 17th-century additions by Sir Basil Brooke. The Castle is furnished throughout and includes Persian rugs and French tapestries. Information panels chronicle the history of the Castle owners from the O’Donnell chieftains to the Brooke family. For further information visit: Heritage Ireland - Donegal Castle.
Castle Street Donegal Co. Donegal F94 P996
Tory Island 14.5 kilometres (9.0 miles) off the north-west coast of County Donegal. Ferries go from Magheroarty