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Driving Routes
The guide was updated:
1) Atlantic Tour Drive Donegal
This self-drive tour starts from Letterkenny, on to Ramelton, a Heritage Town on Lough Swilly. Then on to Milford, and Carrigart, on the isthmus separating Mulroy Bay and Sheephaven Bay. Follow the Atlantic Drive signs around the Rossguill Peninsula, to Melmore Head where there are great views. Then head for Carrigart and right to Creeslough where you will see the ruins of 16th century Doe Castle. The drive continues through Portnablagh, where boats leave for Tory. Drive through Dunfanaghy via Horn Head, and on to Falcarragh in the Irish-speaking area of West Donegal. The road passes the Derryveagh Mountains and Glenveagh National Park. Turn left for Kilmacrennan where there is Lurgyvale Thatched Cottage a 150-year-old restored building. Then back to Letterkenny.
2) Fanad Scenic Drive
The Fanad Peninsula scenic tour is a 72km circuit of the area, which is well signposted and is a splendid drive. Follow the R247 from Ramelton and enjoy the views of Lough Swilly all the way to Rathmullan. Continue for a short distance along the coast to the harbour where the Flight of the Earls Heritage Centre is located. A fully equipped sea angling boat can be hired at the nearby pier and the glorious beach at Rathmullan flies an E.U blue flag. Follow the Fanad Drive and Portsalon signs, passing the Otway 9 hole links, where golf can be played all year round. Keep right at the fork for Portsalon. As the road rises around Knockalla Mountain enjoy the breathtaking views across Lough Swilly. Below you, is the Ballymastocker Bay bedecked with a trilogy of golden beaches and punctuated by fingers of grassy dunes. Portsalon lies across the bay. Resume your drive turning left into Portsalon. A left turn in the village will take you to Fanad Head via the coast. Follow the signs for the lighthouse. From the attractive lighthouse grounds, you can see the rugged horn of Dunaff Head across the bay and further east, the long finger of Malin Head, the most northerly point in Ireland. Retrace your steps, this time ignoring the sign for Portsalon, and keep the coast on your right. Turn left, signposted Kerrykeel 13km. Keep following the Fanad Drive signs past the inner lakes of Mulroy Bay and over a small bridge. Joining the R246 follow the sign, right, for Milford, which lies at the foot of Mulroy Bay. At the T - junction a left turn takes you into the village of Milford and right is the road to Carrigart ( R245 ).
This self-drive tour starts from Letterkenny, on to Ramelton, a Heritage Town on Lough Swilly. Then on to Milford, and Carrigart, on the isthmus separating Mulroy Bay and Sheephaven Bay. Follow the Atlantic Drive signs around the Rossguill Peninsula, to Melmore Head where there are great views. Then head for Carrigart and right to Creeslough where you will see the ruins of 16th century Doe Castle. The drive continues through Portnablagh, where boats leave for Tory. Drive through Dunfanaghy via Horn Head, and on to Falcarragh in the Irish-speaking area of West Donegal. The road passes the Derryveagh Mountains and Glenveagh National Park. Turn left for Kilmacrennan where there is Lurgyvale Thatched Cottage a 150-year-old restored building. Then back to Letterkenny.
2) Fanad Scenic Drive
The Fanad Peninsula scenic tour is a 72km circuit of the area, which is well signposted and is a splendid drive. Follow the R247 from Ramelton and enjoy the views of Lough Swilly all the way to Rathmullan. Continue for a short distance along the coast to the harbour where the Flight of the Earls Heritage Centre is located. A fully equipped sea angling boat can be hired at the nearby pier and the glorious beach at Rathmullan flies an E.U blue flag. Follow the Fanad Drive and Portsalon signs, passing the Otway 9 hole links, where golf can be played all year round. Keep right at the fork for Portsalon. As the road rises around Knockalla Mountain enjoy the breathtaking views across Lough Swilly. Below you, is the Ballymastocker Bay bedecked with a trilogy of golden beaches and punctuated by fingers of grassy dunes. Portsalon lies across the bay. Resume your drive turning left into Portsalon. A left turn in the village will take you to Fanad Head via the coast. Follow the signs for the lighthouse. From the attractive lighthouse grounds, you can see the rugged horn of Dunaff Head across the bay and further east, the long finger of Malin Head, the most northerly point in Ireland. Retrace your steps, this time ignoring the sign for Portsalon, and keep the coast on your right. Turn left, signposted Kerrykeel 13km. Keep following the Fanad Drive signs past the inner lakes of Mulroy Bay and over a small bridge. Joining the R246 follow the sign, right, for Milford, which lies at the foot of Mulroy Bay. At the T - junction a left turn takes you into the village of Milford and right is the road to Carrigart ( R245 ).