Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
al Gweedore gal made good) has crafted languid, ethereal tunes that glide from mood to
mood. Both
Dancing at Lughnasa
and
The Secret of Roan Inish
were filmed in County
Donegal. Today, emigration has taken its toll, and the region relies on a trickle of tourism
spilling over from Northern Ireland.
Remember, you are leaving the UK for the Republic of Ireland. Once you cross into the
Republic, all currency is in euros, not pounds. For B&B rates, entry fees, and all other
costs in Donegal, keep this exchange rate in mind: €1 = about $1.30. Long-distance dial-
ing is different too. To call Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland, dial 048 and
then the local eight-digit number. To call the Republic of Ireland from Northern Ireland,
dial 00-353, then the area code without its initial 0, and finally the local number.
Donegal Loop Trip
Here's my choice for a scenic mix of Donegal highlands and coastal views, organized as a
daylong circuit (240 km/150 miles) for drivers based across the border in Derry. If you're
comingnorthfromGalwayorWestport,youcouldincorporate partsofthisdriveintoyour
itinerary.
Route Summary:
Drive west out of Derry (direction: Letterkenny) on Buncrana Road,
which becomes A-2 (and then N-13 across the border in the Republic). Follow the signs
into Letterkenny, and take R-250 out the other (west) end of town. Veer right (north) onto
R-251, and stay on it through Church Hill, all the way across the highlands, until you
link up with N-56 approaching Bunbeg. After a couple of kilometers on N-56, take R-258
fromGweedore;it'sanothersixkilometers(fourmiles)intoBunbeg.DepartBunbeggoing
north on R-257, around Bloody Foreland, and rejoin N-56 near Gortahork. Take N-56
throughDunfanaghy(possibleHornHeadmini-loopoptionhere)andthensouth,backinto
Letterkenny. Retrace your route from Letterkenny via N-13 and A-2 back into Derry.
Driving Tips:
An early start and an Ordnance Survey atlas are essential. It's cheapest
to top off your gas tank in Letterkenny. Consider bringing along a picnic lunch to enjoy
from a scenic roadside pullout along the Bloody Foreland R-257 road, or out on the Horn
Head loop. Bring your camera and remember—not all who wander are lost.
Thesightsalongthisroutearewell-marked. Don'tunderestimate thetime ittakestoget
around here, as the narrow roads are full of curves and bumps. Dogs, bred to herd sheep,
