Page 218 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

216 BACK ROADS IRELAND

7 Horn Head
Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal
A scenic 13-km (8-mile) drive around Horn Head offers panoramic
views of the northwest coast, from the Rosguill Peninsula off to the
east to Tory Island and the Bloody Foreland to the west. The lonely,
heather-covered headland rises sheer from the sea, its ledges an
ideal habitat for guillemots, gulls, puffins and storm petrels. At the
tip of the headland, walk to the viewpoint at Faugher for the best
views of the 180-m (600-ft) high cliffs, as well as the ruins of a
17th-century signal tower. Afterwards enjoy a walk to Tramore
Beach from Horn Head Bridge.
A two-hour walking tour to care around here, especially in
Above Horn Head and the holiday resort of Tramore Beach inclement weather).
Dunfanaghy It is possible to walk all the way To complete the short walk, retrace
round Horn Head (13 km/8 miles), the path back to Horn Head Bridge.
but for a shorter walk (8 km/5 miles), ª Continue along the N56 through
concentrate on the area just north the Gaeltacht town of Falcarragh, and
of Tramore Beach, the beautiful follow the signs for Bloody Foreland.
dune-fringed arc of sand that Keep right on Station Road and turn
stretches along the western side onto the R257 after Gortahork.
of Horn Head.
The beach can be accessed along
a public footpath from Horn Head
Bridge 1. At the far end of the
bridge a public footpath runs for
nearly 3 km (2 miles) through the
VISITING HORN HEAD
sand dunes. Tramore Beach 2 has
Parking rock pools to explore as well as a
As you leave Dunfanaghy for the Celtic stone circle 3 on the hill
scenic drive around Horn Head you overlooking the beach – to reach it,
pass Horn Head Bridge 1 km (half a follow the sheep track north. Don’t
mile) west of the town, where you can
park for the walk to Tramore Beach. miss McSwine’s Gun 4, near the
edge of the cliff – a sea cave with a
blow hole that noisily spouts water
when the northwesterly winds blow.
On a calm day it is possible to peer
down the blow hole to the sea, Above Flock of sheep clustered on a rugged green
about 30 m (100 ft) below (take extra Donegal hillside

WHERE TO STAY

AROUND HORN HEAD
The Mill House inexpensive McSwine’s
A pretty mill house, dating from 1798, Gun
near Tramore Beach, 16 km (10 miles)
west of Dunfanaghy. It has en-suite Stone Circle
B&B rooms and dormitories, as well as
camping and glamping facilities.
Corcreggan, Dunfanaghy; 074 913
6409; www.corcreggan.com
Tramore
BUNBEG (AN BUN BEAG) Beach Horn Head DUNFANAGHY
Bridge
Bunbeg House inexpensive
Occupying a wonderful spot down
by the tiny harbour, this pleasant
guesthouse has cosy rooms, all with
water views; in warmer weather 0 metres 500
breakfast is taken out on the terrace.
Bunbeg; 074 953 1305; 0 yards 500
www.bunbeghouse.com
Where to Stay: inexpensive under €100; moderate €100–€200; expensive over €200

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