Sea swimming/ wild swimming really has taken the world – and Ireland – by storm in the last few years. During the Coronovirus pandemic when all of our facilities were closed down, we took to our local seas, lakes and rivers in great numbers. We learned a secret that so many before us had already learnt: natural waters offer SO much more than chlorinated, artificial pools. The feeling of exhilaration and satisfaction experienced when plunging into the Atlantic Ocean under a beautiful red sunset or a bright full moon is really something precious. In Ireland we are blessed with over …

The County of Donegal in North West Ireland contains more climbable rock than the rest of Ireland combined boasting two major Irish mountain ranges, over a thousand kilometers of coastline, one hundred sea stacks and as many diverse climbing mediums and locations as you will find in the rest of the country. County Donegal currently plays host to several lifetimes worth of world class rock climbing in some of the most beautiful, remote and unspoilt locations in Ireland. Check out Unique Ascent for a wealth of information on your options. There are currently a shade under 3,000 rock climbs recorded …

Ballymastocker yurt

Inishowen Peninsula Inishowen (Irish: Inis Eoghain, meaning “Island of Eoghan”) is the peninsula which can be seen directly to the East of Fanad on a map on the other side of Lough Swilly. The two peninsulas are connected by a seasonal ferry running from Rathmullan to Buncrana. Check info and timetables on the Lough Swilly Ferry website For a wealth of information about this stunning Donegal Peninsula visit the official Inishowen tourism website here It is the largest peninsula in all of the island of Ireland and is a picturesque location with a very rich history and so much to see …

Tory Island Oilean Toraigh, Tory Island, with a population of just 170 people, is an incredible and delightful Donegal Island. Words alone, no matter how finely woven, could ever give a true impression of the rugged beauty of Tory, the indominatable spirit of its Gaelic speaking people or their rich cultural inheritance. Tory must be visited if one is even to begin to understand why this remote crag, two and a half miles long and three quarters of a mile wide, holds such an attraction for its inhabitants that they, like their forebears, endure the full fury of the North …

Dining near Portsalon Luxury Camping There are lots of wonderful restaurants in the area, many specialising in fabulous seafood dishes. You can try our local restaurant, ‘The Pier Restaurant’ just over a mile away from our site. ‘The Pier Restaurant’ is situated on the Portsalon Pier and enjoys fantastic views across Lough Swilly. Book early to get a window seat with a view and enjoy an evening of fabulous food in a warm and friendly setting with impeccable service. After your meal you can call into the pub next door, The Olde Stores pub and enjoy a drink in front …

There are many traditional Irish music pubs to explore around Donegal and also the county plays host to various annual festivals. With four weeks of music during June and July, theatre, visual arts, film, literature, childrens, circus and carnival entertainment at Donegal’s largest arts festival, the Earagail Arts Festival honours the true creative spirit of County Donegal. Tory Island is well known for its regular Céilí’s which take place throughout the summer months – plan for an overnight stay to enjoy the all night music and dance. You can hop over the border into Derry in Northern Ireland and explore …

The North West of Ireland is known for its ‘Seaweed baths.’ A natural and healthy organic experience, seaweed has many positive effects on the skin, hair and body. Unwind and relax with a hot seaweed bath and let the seaweed detoxify your body and replace it with potassium, iodine and vitamin K which may be depleted. Seaweed baths can reduce tension, improve your circulation, aid weight loss and cellulite control, relieve muscle pain and much much more. Local spas also provide a wide range of other treatments. You can book your seaweed experience (and many other treatments) at the Seascape …

Donegal Islands The Donegal Islands are truly a trip into history and a visit to at least one of these fantastic islands is a must on any holiday to Donegal. A céad míle fáilte – a hundred thousand welcomes – to these islands in northwest Donegal, rare jewels in the blue Atlantic – Gola, Inishbofin, Inishfree, Island Roy, Inishirrer, Iniskerragh, Rutland, Tory, Arranmore, Cruit and Glasheedy. We recommend that you check out the Unique Ascent website for a comprehensive guide to the Donegal Islands. Whether you want to spend a night partying with the locals at a traditional celidh, go …

Knockalla Knockalla Mountain (Cnoc Colbha – “Hill of the ledge or edge”) also known as ‘The Devils Backbone’ is made of quartzite stone and affords stunning views of Lough Swilly and Malin Head on a clear day. It is approximately 360m in height and  can be accessed  from the village of Glenvar via the ‘Way of the Cross’ – a pilgrimage walk culminating in three crosses and a Mass altar. The views from here are fabulous and the setting is striking. The ridge can be traversed all the way to Kerrykeel via ‘The Loughs’ or ‘The Black Lakes’ two lakes …