Viewpoint
Banba's CrownOn the northernmost tip of Malin Head, called Banba's Crown, stands a cumbersome 1805 clifftop tower that was built by the British admiralty and later…
Image by DEA / W. BUSS / De Agostini
Inishowen Peninsula
The Inishowen Peninsula reaches just far enough into the Atlantic to grab the title of northernmost point on the island of Ireland: Malin Head. It is remote, rugged, desolate and sparsely populated, making it a special and peaceful sort of place. Ancient sites and ruined castles abound, as do traditional thatched cottages that haven't yet been turned into holiday homes.
Surrounded by vast sea loughs and open ocean, Inishowen (meaning 'Island of Eoghain', the chieftain who also gave his name to County Tyrone) attracts a lot of birdlife. The variety is tremendous, with well over 200 resident and migrant species, including well-travelled avian visitors from Iceland, Greenland and North America. Irregular Atlantic winds mean rare and exotic species also blow in from time to time.
Explore Inishowen Peninsula
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Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Inishowen Peninsula.
Beach
Culdaff BeachThis Blue Flag beach is great for swimming and windsurfing. You can wander its gorgeous length and get lost in the grassy sand dunes, and there's a fun…
Museum
Doagh Famine VillageSet in a reconstructed village of thatched cottages, this open-air museum is packed with interesting tidbits about the tragic Famine of the mid-19th…
Historic Site
Donagh CrossThe intricate 7th-century Donagh Cross (also called St Patrick's Cross) stands under a shelter by an Anglican church at the west end of town. It's carved…
Museum
Fort DunreeFort Dunree is the best preserved and most dramatic of six forts built by the British on Lough Swilly following the 1798 uprising of the United Irishmen …
Museum
Inishowen Maritime Museum & PlanetariumAn eccentric collection of artefacts awaits at this museum in a former coastguard station on a grassy verge right by the waterfront. The most fascinating…
Historic Site
Clonca Church & CrossThe gable ends and huge windows of the roofless shell of 17th-century Clonca Church frame views of the Donegal mountains. Inside there is an intricately…
Castle
Northburgh CastleOnce known as Northburg Castle and then known as Greencastle, apparently from the stone it was constructed from (but today it very well describes the…
Historic Building
Buncrana CastleAt the side of O'Doherty's Keep is the manor-like Buncrana Castle, built in 1718 by John Vaughan, who also constructed the bridge. Wolfe Tone was…
Historic Building
O'Doherty's KeepAt the northern end of the seafront, the picture-perfect early-18th-century, six-arched Castle Bridge leads to these tower-house ruins originally built by…
Beach
Tullagh StrandTullagh Strand, 2km northwest of Clonmany, is a little better for swimming than Pollan Strand, although it isn't recommended when the tide's going out.
Historic Building
Ned's Point FortWalk 500m from O'Doherty's Keep (turn left and stick to the shoreline) to find squat Ned's Point Fort (1812), built by the British.
Beach
Pollan StrandThis lovely stretch of beach makes for pleasant walks on the sand; however, the atmospheric crashing breakers make it rather unsafe for swimming.
Park
Swan ParkThis lovely forested park area by the River Carna is very picturesque, with a path leading along the riverbank and lovely views.
Beach
Straghill StrandThis remote and attractive beach is excellent for a walk and for views over Lough Swilly.
Castle
Carrickabraghey CastleSitting on Friar's Rock, this 16th-century tower is just north of long Pollan Strand and Ballyliffin Golf Club. The ruins are in bad shape so take care…