Page 231 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

NOR THWEST IRELAND  229

Looking across to Dunfanaghy, gateway to the Horn Head peninsula
You can go on a guided tour 4 Horn Head village, is worth a visit as
of the sumptuous interior or Road map C1. Co Donegal. @ to much for its setting on a
just stroll through the formal Dunfanaghy from Letterkenny. n The promontory over looking
gardens and rhododendron Workhouse, Dunfanaghy (074 913 Sheephaven Bay as for its
woods. Trails weave all around 6540). Jul & Aug: daily, Sep–Jun: Mon– architectural or historical
the castle grounds; one path Sat. - = 7 ∑ dunfanaghy interest. It has been restored
climbs steeply to reward you workhouse.ie from the remains of a castle
with a lovely view over erected in the 16th century
Lough Veagh. Carpeted in heather and rich in by the MacSweeneys, a family
Glebe House and Gallery birdlife, this is the most scenic of Scottish mercenaries.
overlooks Lough Gartan, 6 km of the northern Donegal head-
(4 miles) south of the visitors’ lands, with lovely views of the
centre. This modest Regency sea and mountains. Its appeal is 6 Fanad Peninsula
mansion was the home of the enhanced by Dunfanaghy, a Road map C1. Co Donegal.
painter, Derek Hill, who was delightful town with an air of @ to Rathmelton & Portsalon
also a keen collector. The house affluence and Presbyterianism from Letterkenny.
reveals his varied tastes, with unusual in this area. The local
William Morris wall papers, beach, Killahoey Strand, offers A panoramic route winds
Islamic ceramics and paintings excellent swimming. between the hilly spine and
by Tory Island art ists. The rugged coast of this tranquil
gallery contains works by 5 Rosguill peninsula. The eastern side is
Picasso, Renoir and Jack B by far the most enjoyable and
Yeats among others. Peninsula begins at Rathmelton, a
The Colmcille Heritage Road map C1. Co Donegal. charming Plantation town
Centre, less than a kilometre founded in the 17th century.
south, uses stained glass Rosguill Peninsula juts out into Elegant Georgian homes and
and illumi nated manuscripts the Atlantic Ocean between handsome old warehouses flank
to trace the life of St Columba Sheephaven and Mulroy bays. its tree-lined Main Street.
(Colmcille in Gaelic), who was The simplest way to see it is Further north, Portsalon offers
born in nearby Church Hill to follow the 11-km (7-mile) safe bathing and great views
in AD 521 (see p38). A flagstone Atlantic Drive, a from nearby Saldanha Head.
in Lacknacoo is said to mark the circular route Near Doagh Beg, on the
site of the saint’s birthplace. which skirts the way to Fanad Head in
cliff tops at the tip the far north, the cliffs
Y Glenveagh National Park of the headland. have been eroded into
and Castle Doe Castle, 5 km arches and other
Off R251, 16 km (10 miles) N of (3 miles) north dramatic shapes.
Churchill. Tel 076 100 2537. Park & of Creeslough
Castle: Open daily. & 8 0 -
7 ltd. ∑ glenveaghnationalpark.ie
E Glebe House and Gallery
Tel 074 913 7071. Open Easter & May–
Sep: Sat–Thu. & 7 limited. 8 -
E Colmcille Heritage Centre
Tel 074 913 7306. Open Easter & May–
Sep: daily. &
∑ colmcilleheritagecentre.ie Doe Castle on Rosguill Peninsula, with its 16th-century battlements

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