Like I mentioned in my previous post, we covered quite a bit of mileage in the afternoon from County Galway to County Donegal. We finally stopped in Donegal Town for the night, found a guest house and went to the restaurant for a well deserved hot meal (we had been having sandwiches for every meal previously).
We then went back to our room and discussed the travel plans for the morning. We knew we had only one day to cover the county as we really wanted to visit the Giant's Causeway the day after, our last full day. We decided to go to the northest point of the county: the Inishowen peninsula. There were three reasons for this choice: we needed to keep close to the Northern Irish border, our guide book was raving about it and my friend had set her mind on a monument called Grianan of Aeliach which is located just at the bottom of the peninsula.
Day 4
We drove directly to the Grianan of Aileach. It is a fort on top of a hill and is believed to have been built in the 6th or 7th century although some claim that its origins can go as far as prehistory (there is a tumulus next to it). It is truly a sight to behold and its high position makes it even more magical. You have to walk on top of the fort and battle your way through the gusts of wind to embrace the 360° panorama, it will make you feel quite small and quite speechless.
Reinvigorated by so much beauty, we proceeded in direction to the peninsula. Our first stop was in the tiny village of Fahan, or more specifically, its cemetary. Why you'd wonder such a morbid halt? It happens to be home to one of the most ancient Irish crosses going: the Mura cross-slab, carved in the 7th century.
We then drove a bit further North and stopped at the resort town of Buncrana for a walk near the shore. It is where John Newton wrote Amazing Grace and standing there, on what feels like the edge of the world, one can feel why this place inspired such a hymn.
10 comments:
These photos are absolutely beautiful...you capture the misty greenery of Ireland perfectly. They've actually made me quite homesick! Donegal is a really beautiful county...I love the rugged, jagged coastlines and the higgeldy-piggeldyness of the countryside and its stone walls :) I've never actually been to the Giant's Causeway so I'm looking forward to seeing your pics of it!
It is a really beautiful county indeed, love your description :) i can't wait to go back and explore more! thank you for your lovely comment xx
I would love to do this, an Irish road trip has been my little dream for a while...your photos are gorgeous and make me want to realise this dream ASAP!
Becky | lifestyleflash.com x
p.s. Thanks for your comment :)
you really should, its amazing! and you'll need all the quietness and 'countryness' you can get after a paddys day in dublin ;) thanks for popping by x
i've never been to ireland but the countryside looks beautiful! i'd love to go on a road trip around there one day.
littlehenrylee
its really worth it i think, it's as beautiful as you can imagine! thanks for your comment x
I'm loving your pictures from this trip, these places just look breathtaking. An Irish roadtrip is definitely going on my list of things to do!
thank you so much your very kind comments on my trip posts! theyre really encouraging! Im sad cos next post is my last on the trip and ive nothing planned to get out there with the camera any time soon but ill try to come up with something. And do come in ireland, you wont regret it xx
The pictures are just lovely. I would love to visit and the school kids fits perfectly somehow :)
they do, dont they? looking at them, i wish i had worn a uniform at school. Thanks for your commentx
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